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Firebase Realtime Database vs Firestore

Firebase Realtime Database logo

Firebase Realtime Database

Databases

Store and sync data in real-time across all clients

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Firestore logo

Firestore

Databases

Flexible, scalable NoSQL cloud database from Firebase

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Firebase Realtime Database the no-cost Spark plan caps storage at 1 GB, downloads at 10 GB per month and simultaneous connections at 100; Firestore the no-cost Spark plan caps Standard edition at 50,000 document reads, 20,000 writes and 20,000 deletes per day
  • They diverge on capability: Firebase Realtime Database covers Real-time Sync, Firestore covers Document Model.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Firebase Realtime Database and Firestore differ
AttributeFirebase Realtime DatabaseFirestore
PlatformsWeb, Ios, AndroidWeb, Ios, Android, Flutter

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (freemium), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Databases), 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 Firebase Realtime Database

  • Real-time Sync
  • JSON Storage
  • Data Validation
  • Multi-platform SDKs
  • Scalable
  • Analytics
  • Crashlytics
  • AdMob

Only in Firestore

  • Document Model
  • Real-time Updates
  • ACID Transactions
  • Expressive Queries
  • Multi-region
  • BigQuery
  • Data Connect
  • Extensions

Both cover

  • Offline Support
  • Security Rules
  • Firebase Auth
  • Cloud Functions
  • Web support
  • Ios support
  • Android support

What people use each for

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

Firebase Realtime Database

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

Firestore

  • Storing structured application data with realtime listenersnot Firebase Realtime Database
  • Backing mobile and web apps with a serverless document databasenot Firebase Realtime Database
  • Building offline first apps that sync when connectivity returnsnot Firebase Realtime Database

Where each one falls short

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

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

Firestore

  • The no-cost Spark plan caps Standard edition at 50,000 document reads, 20,000 writes and 20,000 deletes per day
  • The Spark plan caps storage at 1 GiB and network egress at 10 GiB per month
  • Charging is per document read, so a query returning many documents bills for every one of them
  • Going beyond the free thresholds requires the pay as you go Blaze plan billed at Google Cloud rates with no fixed monthly ceiling

Pricing, plan by plan

Firebase Realtime Database

Free
  • SparkFree
    • 1 GB data storage included
    • 10 GB per month data downloads included
    • No charges for usage within limits
  • Blaze$5/per_GB_per_month
    • Maintains Spark free allowances
    • Pay-as-you-go for usage exceeding limits
    • Billing applies to data stored and outbound network traffic

Firestore

Free
  • SparkFree
    • 1GB storage
    • 50K reads/day
    • 20K writes/day
  • BlazeFree
    • Pay as you go
    • Unlimited operations
    • Multi-region

Which should you pick?

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 json storage.
Firebase Realtime Database review

Choose Firestore if

  • You need document model.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android, Flutter.
  • You also want real-time updates.
Firestore review

Questions people ask

Is Firebase Realtime Database or Firestore better?
Neither clearly leads. Firebase Realtime Database starts at Free and Firestore at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Firebase Realtime Database or Firestore?
Firebase Realtime Database starts at Free and Firestore at Free.
Does Firebase Realtime Database or Firestore run on more platforms?
Firebase Realtime Database runs on Web, Ios, Android. Firestore runs on Web, Ios, Android, Flutter.
Can I use Firebase Realtime Database for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Firebase Realtime Database best used for?
Firebase Realtime Database is most often used for syncing json application state between clients in real time, backing mobile and web apps with offline capable data storage, prototyping realtime features such as presence and chat. Of those, syncing json application state between clients in real time and backing mobile and web apps with offline capable data storage are not what Firestore is typically brought in for.
What can Firebase Realtime Database do that Firestore cannot?
Firebase Realtime Database covers Real-time Sync, JSON Storage, Data Validation, Multi-platform SDKs. Firestore covers Document Model, Real-time Updates, ACID Transactions, Expressive Queries. Both handle Offline Support, Security Rules, Firebase Auth, Cloud Functions.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Firebase Realtime Database: How much does Firebase Realtime Database cost?

Firebase Realtime Database offers a free Spark plan (1 GB storage, 10 GB/month downloads) and a pay-as-you-go Blaze plan. On Blaze, storage costs $5 per GB per month, evaluated daily, with no monthly minimum charges.

Source
Firestore: What are the free limits on Cloud Firestore?

The Spark Plan includes 1 GiB of stored data, 50,000 reads per day, 20,000 writes per day, and 20,000 deletes per day at no cost.

Source
Firebase Realtime Database: What is included in Firebase Realtime Database free tier?

The Spark plan includes 1 GB of data storage and 10 GB per month of data downloads at no cost. Usage within these limits incurs no charges, making it suitable for small projects and testing.

Source
Firestore: What happens when I exceed the Spark Plan free tier?

Exceeding the free tier requires upgrading to the Blaze Plan, which bills based on actual usage through Google Cloud pricing. Charges apply for reads, writes, deletes, and data storage.

Source
Firebase Realtime Database: Does Firebase Realtime Database charge for denied or rejected operations?

Yes. Firebase charges for all traffic to and from the database on the Blaze plan, including operations denied by security rules, outbound network traffic at the session layer, and connection and encryption overhead from all operations.

Source
Firestore: Can I use Firestore without a credit card?

Yes, you can use the Spark Plan indefinitely without a credit card. To use the Blaze Plan (pay-as-you-go), a credit card is required.

Source
Firebase Realtime Database: Can I set a spending limit on Firebase Realtime Database?

Firebase offers budget alerts but does not cap spending automatically. Users must monitor their usage dashboard in the Firebase console to track connections, storage, downloads, and load metrics; a calculator is available for cost estimation.

Source
Firestore: Is there a trial period for Cloud Firestore?

No trial period is specified. The Spark Plan free tier serves as the trial, with no time limit.

Source
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