Firebase vs SpacetimeDB
Firebase: Google's app platform: Firestore, Realtime Database and Data Connect, plus auth, functions and hosting. SpacetimeDB: In-memory relational database that runs your server logic as WASM modules and streams changes to clients.
key differences
- Firebase is primarily a document database; SpacetimeDB is relational.
- Licensing: Firebase is proprietary (Proprietary service (client SDKs Apache-2.0)); SpacetimeDB is source-available (Business Source License 1.1).
- Firebase is built for larger datasets (≤ 1 PB) than SpacetimeDB (≤ 100 GB).
- Horizontal scaling is native in Firebase and none in SpacetimeDB.
- Only Firebase has vector search, json, triggers, ttl / expiry, encryption at rest.
- Only SpacetimeDB has stored procedures, in-memory, runs in webassembly.
choose firebase for
- +Mobile apps needing realtime sync and offline support
- +MVPs and startups that want auth and database in one
- +Chat, presence and collaborative features
- +Push notifications and remote config alongside app data
best at · Mobile/offline, OLTP, Content
choose spacetimedb for
- +Multiplayer and MMO game backends
- +Realtime collaborative apps
- +Chat and presence systems
best at · OLTP, Pub/Sub, Real-time analytics
Firebase vs SpacetimeDB: FAQ
What is the difference between Firebase and SpacetimeDB?
Firebase: Google's app platform: Firestore, Realtime Database and Data Connect, plus auth, functions and hosting. SpacetimeDB: In-memory relational database that runs your server logic as WASM modules and streams changes to clients. Firebase is primarily a document database; SpacetimeDB is relational. Licensing: Firebase is proprietary (Proprietary service (client SDKs Apache-2.0)); SpacetimeDB is source-available (Business Source License 1.1). Firebase is built for larger datasets (≤ 1 PB) than SpacetimeDB (≤ 100 GB).
When should I choose Firebase over SpacetimeDB?
Choose Firebase for mobile apps needing realtime sync and offline support; MVPs and startups that want auth and database in one; and chat, presence and collaborative features. Choose SpacetimeDB for multiplayer and MMO game backends; realtime collaborative apps; and chat and presence systems.
Is Firebase or SpacetimeDB more popular?
Firebase ranks #11 on the WhichDB Score (65.4/100) and SpacetimeDB ranks #105 (27.3/100). Popularity is not fit: check the requirements that matter for your project.
Are Firebase and SpacetimeDB open source?
No. Firebase is proprietary, closed-source software. Not in the OSI sense. SpacetimeDB is source-available: you can read the code, but the license restricts some uses, typically offering it as a competing managed service. License: Business Source License 1.1.