Appwrite vs Firebase
Two backend platform options for database. When each fits, what it costs, who moves from one to the other, and what makers who chose it say.
Ask your AI about this, with this page as the source:ChatGPT ↗Claude ↗Perplexity ↗
Which fits you
Choose Appwrite if- A Firebase-style backend — database, auth, storage, functions and messaging — that is open source and can be self-hosted.
Use it whenYou want a Firebase-like SDK experience but need the option to run it on your own servers.
Trade-offIts own document-style database API rather than plain SQL; self-hosting runs many containers.
Choose Firebase if- Mobile apps that need offline sync and client-side SDKs.
Use it whenYou're shipping a mobile app first and want the client to read and write data directly, including while offline.
Trade-offA document store without SQL joins; hard to migrate off.
At a glance
| Appwrite | Firebase | |
|---|---|---|
| Used by | 8 makers' products · 1 open-source projects | 179 makers' products · 70 open-source projects |
| Cost at default usagedatabase size 8 GB, data transfer 50 GB, document or row reads 10 million reads, document or row writes 2 million writes | — | $9.66/mo Blaze (pay as you go) |
| Downloads | 53.6k/wk−28% vs npm | 8.8M/wk−21% vs npm |
| Pricing | Free to self-host; Appwrite Cloud has a free plan and paid per-project plans with usage limits. | Free Spark plan; pay-as-you-go Blaze plan. · paid from Pay as you go (Blaze) |
| Free tier | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Yes · self-hostable | No |
What makers say
Makers on using it for database, from Product Hunt and Starter Story interviews, each linked to the source. Products with a page of their own and fuller notes first.
On AppwriteImagine is powered by Appwrite Cloud as its core infrastructure layer. We use Appwrite’s databases, auth, storage, messaging, and realtime services to generate production-ready applications, and Appwrite Sites to handle hosting and global distribution for every app Imagine creates.
Rubium has it's back-end fully powered by Appwrite Cloud, we always trusted the team and their awesome services thanks to the great documentation, ease of use and security compliance.
We used Appwrite to handle all the heavy backend stuff - user accounts, database, storage. It saved us time and headaches, so we could focus on building the actual product.
On FirebaseKey role in helping us deliver results in real time, because the analysis streams onto the page as it completes instead of making founders wait for a finished report.
Firebase powers the backbone of uList, ensuring robust real-time data handling, secure authentication, and scalable backend infrastructure. It's the unsung hero making our app fast and reliable.
Google's Firebase powers ReplyMind with robust and scalable backend infrastructure. Its real-time database, cloud storage, and authentication services ensure a secure and reliable user experience.
Loved and watch-outs
Themes that recur in makers' words and Hacker News comments, each linked to what it summarises.
AppwriteOn Product Hunt: 4.7★, 31 reviews · mentioned most: all-in-one platform, authentication, backend as a serviceFirebaseMost loved
- Auth, Firestore, Cloud Functions and hosting wire up in minutes, the fastest path to a working backend for a solo developer. PHHN
- Real-time sync across devices, with offline caching that remains stronger than most all-in-one rivals. PHHN
- The free tier and serverless pricing keep costs near zero when starting out. PHPH 2
Watch-outs
On Product Hunt: 5.0★, 238 reviews · mentioned most: authentication, scalable backend, real-time database · complaints: complex documentation, complex setup- A server-side change made the iOS SDK crash apps everywhere, exposing the risk of a closed SDK you cannot control. HNHN 2HN 3HN 4
- It feels neglected and bolted onto Google Cloud, and it cannot be self-hosted, so leaving means a full migration. HNHN 2HN 3
- Client-accessible databases guarded only by optional security rules are a common cause of data leaks. HNHN 2
Who uses each
Imagine
Emma Intelligence
AI Visual Reasoning by Chance
Aviquill
Aximote In-Car App
BentofyWhat makers pair each with
With AppwriteNot enough makers' products to say yet.
With FirebaseFrontend Framework
Firebase + Next.js:
1752vc Pitch Deck AnalyzerAI Product HunterATSResumeGenerator
BabyCheck
Blink.newBlurweb AppChurch NotesCoachvox AI
Exstats
Fexity ProfocusedOS
Foodeeand 20 more
1752vc Pitch Deck AnalyzerAI Product HunterATSResumeGeneratorBabyCheckBlink.newBlurweb AppChurch NotesCoachvox AIExstatsFexity ProfocusedOSFoodeeand 20 more
Hands Off
Kanbanq
omi
Sukha
Lemonade Password Manager
Brick 1100Payments
Firebase + Stripe:1752vc Pitch Deck AnalyzerBlink.new
Blitzit
Brand.dev
BricksChurch NotesCoachvox AIEvolweExstatsFreeMcServer
GleamHealth Havenand 23 more
1752vc Pitch Deck AnalyzerBlink.newBlitzitBrand.devBricksChurch NotesCoachvox AIEvolweExstatsFreeMcServerGleamHealth Havenand 23 more
Crisp
Fuego
IndieScoreTransactional Email
Firebase + SendGrid:1752vc Pitch Deck AnalyzerBricksChurch Notes
ConnectMachine
fwd2calGleamLive TourneyMockoonNHANCE NOW
SmodinSongstatsStagetimer is an online countdown timerand 10 more
1752vc Pitch Deck AnalyzerBricksChurch NotesConnectMachinefwd2calGleamLive TourneyMockoonNHANCE NOWSmodinSongstatsStagetimer is an online countdown timerand 10 more
Goals
Known Agents
FigmaLLM API
Firebase + OpenAI API:AI Shadowing
BestInterest for CoparentsBlink.new
CalendarPlusAiClipTaskConnectMachine
Dreamflowfwd2calGleam
InstaNote
Kipps AI
Leadsourcingand 18 more
BestInterest for CoparentsBlink.newCalendarPlusAiClipTaskConnectMachineDreamflowfwd2calGleamInstaNoteKipps AILeadsourcingand 18 more
Founder Mode Checker
Slashy
SoundGate Guitar
Waitlister
Enki
Readsss
ReplyMind
FeaturebaseNeither quite right?
See the whole database decision →
SupabaseBackend platformPostgres plus auth, storage and realtime in one project.vs Appwrite →vs Firebase →
ConvexBackend platformRealtime, collaborative apps written entirely in TypeScript.
NeonManaged databaseServerless Postgres that scales to zero, with a branch per preview deploy.
PlanetScaleManaged databaseApps that expect heavy scale and want zero-downtime schema changes.
TursoManaged databaseSQLite at the edge, or one database per customer.
MongoDBManaged databaseDocument-shaped data and teams already fluent in Mongo.
PostgreSQLRun it yourselfThe engine behind most of the hosted options above, run on your own server or container for full control and a flat cost.