Mobile Development · head to head
Firebase vs Parse Server
Firebase
Mobile Development
Google's platform for building web and mobile applications with cloud backend
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
Parse Server
API Management
Open-source Backend as a Service platform with REST and GraphQL APIs
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Firebase spark plan limited to 1 GiB storage, 50,000 daily reads, 20,000 daily writes; Parse Server deployment complexity and scaling challenges require operational expertise
- They diverge on capability: Firebase covers Real-time Database, Parse Server covers GraphQL API.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Firebase and Parse Server actually diverge.
| Attribute | Firebase | Parse Server |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | freemium | open-source |
| Platforms | iOS, Android, Web, Flutter, C++, Unity | Node.js, Express, REST API, GraphQL API |
| Category | Mobile Development | API Management |
| Founded | 1998 | 2011 |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), 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
- Real-time Database
- Google Cloud
- Cloud Storage
- Web support
- Mobile support
- Cloud support
Only in Parse Server
- GraphQL API
- Node.js
- File storage
- Webhooks
- Node.js support
- Self-hosted support
- Docker support
Both cover
- REST API
- Authentication
- Cloud functions
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Firebase
- Mobile app backend developmentnot Parse Server
- Real-time data synchronisationnot Parse Server
- Web application backendnot Parse Server
- Cross-platform app developmentnot Parse Server
Parse Server
- API Developmentnot Firebase
- API Gatewaynot Firebase
- API Testingnot Firebase
- API Documentationnot Firebase
- Microservicesnot Firebase
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Firebase
- Spark plan limited to 1 GiB storage, 50,000 daily reads, 20,000 daily writes
- Spark plan restricts to 100 concurrent database connections
- Spark plan limits Firebase Studio to 3 workspaces maximum
- Document size capped at 1 MiB per document
- Transaction time limited to 270 seconds with 60-second idle expiration
- Maximum 100 databases per project (increase requires support request)
Parse Server
- Deployment complexity and scaling challenges require operational expertise
- Requires database management skills for MongoDB or PostgreSQL administration
- Smaller community and ecosystem compared to Firebase or cloud alternatives
- Query depth bypass vulnerability allowing denial-of-service attacks via complex REST/GraphQL queries
- Stored XSS vulnerability through SVG file uploads requires patching
Pricing, plan by plan
Firebase
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the Firebase review.
Parse Server
Free- Open SourceFree
- Self-hosted Parse Server
- Community support
Which should you pick?
Choose Firebase if
- You need real-time database.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on iOS, Android, Web, Flutter, C++, Unity.
- You also want google cloud.
Choose Parse Server if
- You need graphql api.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Node.js, Express, REST API, GraphQL API.
- You also want node.js.
Questions people ask
- Is Firebase or Parse Server better?
- Neither clearly leads. Firebase starts at Free and Parse Server at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Firebase or Parse Server?
- Firebase starts at Free and Parse Server at Free.
- Does Firebase or Parse Server run on more platforms?
- Firebase runs on iOS, Android, Web, Flutter, C++, Unity. Parse Server runs on Node.js, Express, REST API, GraphQL API.
- Can I use Firebase for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Firebase best used for?
- Firebase is most often used for mobile app backend development, real-time data synchronisation, web application backend, cross-platform app development. Of those, mobile app backend development and real-time data synchronisation are not what Parse Server is typically brought in for.
- What can Firebase do that Parse Server cannot?
- Firebase covers Real-time Database, Google Cloud, Cloud Storage, Web support. Parse Server covers GraphQL API, Node.js, File storage, Webhooks. Both handle REST API, Authentication, Cloud functions.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Parse Server: Is Parse Server self-hosted or cloud-managed?
Parse Server is entirely self-hosted and open-source, running on your own infrastructure with no monthly subscription required; you manage the MongoDB or PostgreSQL database and deployment.
Parse Server: What databases does Parse Server support?
Parse Server works with MongoDB and PostgreSQL as data stores, giving you flexibility to choose your preferred database system for your application.
Parse Server: What APIs does Parse Server provide?
Parse Server automatically generates both REST and GraphQL APIs based on your application schema, and you can extend these with custom queries, mutations, and remote schemas.
SourceParse Server: What SDKs are available for Parse Server?
Parse provides native SDKs for iOS (Swift/Objective-C), Android, JavaScript/Node.js, PHP, and .NET, plus REST and GraphQL access for any other platform.
SourceParse Server: Does Parse Server include user authentication?
Yes. Parse Server includes out-of-the-box user management with support for email/password authentication, OAuth providers (Facebook, Twitter, Google, GitHub, LDAP), push notifications, and campaigns.