Software · head to head
Firebase Realtime Database vs Grist
Firebase Realtime Database
Software
Store and sync data in real-time across all clients
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only Firebase Realtime Database has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- 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; Grist hosted plans run $10 to $29 per month per workspace, and the free self-hosted option requires running the software yourself to avoid that cost
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Firebase Realtime Database and Grist actually diverge.
| Attribute | Firebase Realtime Database | Grist |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | On request |
| Pricing model | freemium | subscription |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Platforms | Web, Ios, Android | Web |
| Founded | 2011 | Unknown |
Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
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
- Offline Support
- JSON Storage
- Security Rules
- Data Validation
- Multi-platform SDKs
- Scalable
- Firebase Auth
Only in Grist
Nothing recorded that Firebase Realtime Database does not also cover.
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 Grist
- Backing mobile and web apps with offline capable data storagenot Grist
- Prototyping realtime features such as presence and chatnot Grist
Grist
No use cases recorded yet. See the Grist review.
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
Grist
- Hosted plans run $10 to $29 per month per workspace, and the free self-hosted option requires running the software yourself to avoid that cost
Pricing, plan by plan
Firebase Realtime Database
Free- SparkFree
- 1GB storage
- 10GB/month download
- 100 simultaneous connections
- BlazeFree
- Pay as you go
- Unlimited storage
- Unlimited connections
Grist
On requestNo published plan breakdown. See the Grist review.
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 offline support.
Choose Grist if
Nothing in the data separates Grist from Firebase Realtime Database on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.
Questions people ask
- Is Firebase Realtime Database or Grist better?
- Neither clearly leads. Firebase Realtime Database starts at Free and Grist at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Firebase Realtime Database or Grist?
- Firebase Realtime Database has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Firebase Realtime Database and On request for Grist.
- Does Firebase Realtime Database or Grist run on more platforms?
- Firebase Realtime Database runs on Web, Ios, Android. Grist runs on Web.
- Can I use Firebase Realtime Database for free?
- Yes. Firebase Realtime Database has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Grist starts at On request.
- 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 Grist is typically brought in for.
- What can Firebase Realtime Database do that Grist cannot?
- Firebase Realtime Database covers Real-time Sync, Offline Support, JSON Storage, Security Rules.