Softwr

Database & Data Management · head to head

DynamoDB vs Firebase Realtime Database

DynamoDB logo

DynamoDB

Database & Data Management

Fast, flexible NoSQL database service for any scale

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Firebase Realtime Database logo

Firebase Realtime Database

Database & Data Management

Store and sync data in real-time across all clients

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Firebase Realtime Database has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: DynamoDB noSQL-only; does not support complex relational queries or SQL joins; 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: DynamoDB covers Single-digit Millisecond Latency, Firebase Realtime Database covers Real-time Sync.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where DynamoDB and Firebase Realtime Database differ
AttributeDynamoDBFirebase Realtime Database
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelusage-basedfreemium
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsAWSWeb, Ios, Android
Founded20062011

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Database & Data Management).

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 DynamoDB

  • Single-digit Millisecond Latency
  • Serverless
  • Auto-scaling
  • Global Tables
  • Point-in-time Recovery
  • Encryption
  • Streams
  • Lambda

Only in Firebase Realtime Database

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

Both cover

  • Web support

What people use each for

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

DynamoDB

  • High-scale, variable-workload applicationsnot Firebase Realtime Database
  • Mobile and IoT device backendsnot Firebase Realtime Database
  • Real-time analytics and dashboardsnot Firebase Realtime Database
  • Multi-region, globally distributed applicationsnot Firebase Realtime Database

Firebase Realtime Database

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

Where each one falls short

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

DynamoDB

  • NoSQL-only; does not support complex relational queries or SQL joins
  • Limited query flexibility; requires thinking in terms of keys and indexes rather than ad-hoc queries

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

DynamoDB

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the DynamoDB review.

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 DynamoDB if

  • You need single-digit millisecond latency.
  • You work on AWS.
  • You also want serverless.
DynamoDB 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 DynamoDB or Firebase Realtime Database better?
Neither clearly leads. DynamoDB starts at On request and Firebase Realtime Database at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, DynamoDB or Firebase Realtime Database?
Firebase Realtime Database has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for DynamoDB and Free for Firebase Realtime Database.
Does DynamoDB or Firebase Realtime Database run on more platforms?
DynamoDB runs on AWS. Firebase Realtime Database runs on Web, Ios, Android.
Can I use Firebase Realtime Database for free?
Yes. Firebase Realtime Database has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. DynamoDB starts at On request.
What is DynamoDB best used for?
DynamoDB is most often used for high-scale, variable-workload applications, mobile and iot device backends, real-time analytics and dashboards, multi-region, globally distributed applications. Of those, high-scale, variable-workload applications and mobile and iot device backends are not what Firebase Realtime Database is typically brought in for.
What can DynamoDB do that Firebase Realtime Database cannot?
DynamoDB covers Single-digit Millisecond Latency, Serverless, Auto-scaling, Global Tables. Firebase Realtime Database covers Real-time Sync, Offline Support, JSON Storage, Security Rules. Both handle Web support.
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on DynamoDB

More on Firebase Realtime Database

Keep looking

Other head to heads