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Databases · head to head

Firebase Realtime Database vs Hasura

Firebase Realtime Database logo

Firebase Realtime Database

Databases

Store and sync data in real-time across all clients

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Hasura logo

Hasura

APIs

GraphQL engine that instantly creates production-ready GraphQL API from databases

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; Hasura active model definition: model/command accessed more than 1,000 times monthly
  • They diverge on capability: Firebase Realtime Database covers Real-time Sync, Hasura covers GraphQL API.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Firebase Realtime Database and Hasura differ
AttributeFirebase Realtime DatabaseHasura
PlatformsWeb, Ios, AndroidWeb
CategoryDatabasesAPIs
Founded20112017

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

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 Hasura

  • GraphQL API
  • Real-time subscriptions
  • Access control
  • PostgreSQL
  • MySQL
  • Webhooks
  • REST APIs
  • Cloud 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 Hasura
  • Backing mobile and web apps with offline capable data storagenot Hasura
  • Prototyping realtime features such as presence and chatnot Hasura

Hasura

  • Automatic GraphQL API generation from existing databasesnot Firebase Realtime Database
  • Real-time data subscriptions for modern applicationsnot Firebase Realtime Database
  • Backend infrastructure for web and mobile applicationsnot Firebase Realtime Database
  • Event-triggered webhooks for database changesnot 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

Hasura

  • Active model definition: model/command accessed more than 1,000 times monthly
  • Private DDN requires Base or Advanced plan

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

Hasura

Free
  • DDN FreeFree
    • Unlimited models
    • 1 supergraph developer
    • 15-minute observability retention
  • DDN Base$5/month
    • Per active model billing
    • Unlimited developers
    • 30-day observability retention
  • DDN Advanced$30/month
    • Per active model billing
    • Federated collaboration
    • Multi-repo CI/CD

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.
Firebase Realtime Database review

Choose Hasura if

  • You need graphql api.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want real-time subscriptions.
Hasura review

Questions people ask

Is Firebase Realtime Database or Hasura better?
Neither clearly leads. Firebase Realtime Database starts at Free and Hasura at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Firebase Realtime Database or Hasura?
Firebase Realtime Database starts at Free and Hasura at Free.
Does Firebase Realtime Database or Hasura run on more platforms?
Firebase Realtime Database runs on Web, Ios, Android. Hasura runs on Web.
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 Hasura is typically brought in for.
What can Firebase Realtime Database do that Hasura cannot?
Firebase Realtime Database covers Real-time Sync, Offline Support, JSON Storage, Security Rules. Hasura covers GraphQL API, Real-time subscriptions, Access control, PostgreSQL.

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
Hasura: How much does Hasura cost?

Hasura DDN Free is free. DDN Base starts at $5/active model/month, and DDN Advanced starts at $30/active model/month.

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
Hasura: What is an active model in Hasura pricing?

An active model is defined as any model or command accessed more than 1,000 times monthly.

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
Hasura: Is there a free version of Hasura?

Yes, Hasura DDN Free is always free and includes unlimited models, 1 supergraph developer, and 15-minute observability retention.

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
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