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Couchbase vs Firebase Realtime Database

Couchbase logo

Couchbase

Software

The modern database for enterprise applications

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Firebase Realtime Database logo

Firebase Realtime Database

Software

Store and sync data in real-time across all clients

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Couchbase the free tier is a single node with 8 GB of storage and forum support only; Firebase Realtime Database the no-cost Spark plan caps storage at 1 GB, downloads at 10 GB per month and simultaneous connections at 100
  • They diverge on capability: Couchbase covers JSON Document Model, Firebase Realtime Database covers Real-time Sync.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Couchbase and Firebase Realtime Database actually diverge.

Attributes where Couchbase and Firebase Realtime Database differ
AttributeCouchbaseFirebase Realtime Database
PlatformsLinux, Windows, Mac, Docker, WebWeb, Ios, Android

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (freemium), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown), founded (2011).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Couchbase

  • JSON Document Model
  • SQL++ Query
  • Full-text Search
  • Eventing
  • Mobile Sync
  • Multi-dimensional Scaling
  • Kafka
  • Spark

Only in Firebase Realtime Database

  • Real-time Sync
  • Offline Support
  • JSON Storage
  • Security Rules
  • Data Validation
  • Multi-platform SDKs
  • Scalable
  • Firebase Auth

Both cover

  • Analytics
  • Web support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Couchbase

  • Running a distributed NoSQL document database as a managed servicenot Firebase Realtime Database
  • Mobile sync and offline first applications backed by a cloud databasenot Firebase Realtime Database

Firebase Realtime Database

  • Syncing JSON application state between clients in real timenot Couchbase
  • Backing mobile and web apps with offline capable data storagenot Couchbase
  • Prototyping realtime features such as presence and chatnot Couchbase

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Couchbase

  • The free tier is a single node with 8 GB of storage and forum support only
  • Node rates are hourly and quoted as starting figures, from $0.15 an hour on Basic to $0.49 on Enterprise
  • The Developer Pro and Enterprise plans require 3 nodes, so the hourly rate multiplies before any usage
  • Backup storage is billed separately at $0.07 per GB a month, and analytics backups at $0.14
  • Support response time is a plan feature, at 8 hours on Developer Pro against 30 minutes on Enterprise
  • AI and analytics run as separately priced planes at up to $0.86 an hour per node

Firebase Realtime Database

  • The no-cost Spark plan caps storage at 1 GB, downloads at 10 GB per month and simultaneous connections at 100
  • The Spark plan does not support multiple databases in a project
  • Even on the paid Blaze plan simultaneous connections are capped at 200,000 per database
  • Billing is by data transferred out at $1 per GB plus $5 per GB stored, so chatty clients cost more than the data volume suggests

Pricing, plan by plan

Couchbase

Free
  • CommunityFree
    • Full features
    • Community support
    • Self-managed
  • Capella FreeFree
    • Managed service
    • Limited resources
    • Cloud hosted

Firebase Realtime Database

Free
  • SparkFree
    • 1GB storage
    • 10GB/month download
    • 100 simultaneous connections
  • BlazeFree
    • Pay as you go
    • Unlimited storage
    • Unlimited connections

Which should you pick?

Choose Couchbase if

  • You need json document model.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, Windows, Mac, Docker, Web.
  • You also want sql++ query.
Couchbase review

Choose Firebase Realtime Database if

  • You need real-time sync.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want offline support.
Firebase Realtime Database review

Questions people ask

Is Couchbase or Firebase Realtime Database better?
Neither clearly leads. Couchbase starts at Free and Firebase Realtime Database at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Couchbase or Firebase Realtime Database?
Couchbase starts at Free and Firebase Realtime Database at Free.
Does Couchbase or Firebase Realtime Database run on more platforms?
Couchbase runs on Linux, Windows, Mac, Docker, Web. Firebase Realtime Database runs on Web, Ios, Android.
Can I use Couchbase for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Couchbase best used for?
Couchbase is most often used for running a distributed nosql document database as a managed service, mobile sync and offline first applications backed by a cloud database. Of those, running a distributed nosql document database as a managed service and mobile sync and offline first applications backed by a cloud database are not what Firebase Realtime Database is typically brought in for.
What can Couchbase do that Firebase Realtime Database cannot?
Couchbase covers JSON Document Model, SQL++ Query, Full-text Search, Eventing. Firebase Realtime Database covers Real-time Sync, Offline Support, JSON Storage, Security Rules. Both handle Analytics, Web support.
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