Firebase vs AWS vs Supabase comparison - CLI Comparison

Introduction

Choosing where to build your app's backend can be confusing. Firebase, AWS, and Supabase offer ways to store data, handle users, and run your app smoothly. This comparison helps you understand their differences simply.

When you want a ready-to-use backend with easy setup and real-time features, Firebase is a good choice.

When you need a wide range of cloud services and full control over infrastructure, AWS fits well.

When you prefer an open-source, SQL-based backend that feels like Firebase but with more database control, Supabase is helpful.

When you want to build a small app quickly without managing servers, Firebase or Supabase can save time.

When your app might grow big and need custom cloud functions or complex workflows, AWS offers more flexibility.

Commands

This command starts setting up Firebase in your project folder. It helps you choose features like hosting, database, and functions.

Terminal

firebase init

Expected Output

=== Project Setup ===

You are about to initialize a Firebase project.

? Which Firebase CLI features do you want to set up for this folder? Press Space to select features, then Enter to confirm your choices.

◯ Database: Deploy Firebase Realtime Database Rules

◯ Firestore: Deploy rules and create indexes for Firestore

◯ Functions: Configure and deploy Cloud Functions

◯ Hosting: Configure files for Firebase Hosting and (optionally) set up GitHub Action deploys

◯ Storage: Deploy Cloud Storage security rules

◯ Emulators: Set up local emulators for Firebase features



Firebase initialization complete.

→

--project - Specify the Firebase project ID to use

This command sets up your AWS credentials and default region so you can use AWS services from your computer.

Terminal

aws configure

Expected Output

AWS Access Key ID [None]: AKIAIOSFODNN7EXAMPLE

AWS Secret Access Key [None]: wJalrXUtnFEMI/K7MDENG/bPxRfiCYEXAMPLEKEY

Default region name [None]: us-east-1

Default output format [None]: json

This command initializes a Supabase project locally, setting up configuration files and preparing your environment.

Terminal

supabase init

Expected Output

✔ Creating new Supabase project configuration

✔ Writing supabase/config.toml

Supabase project initialized successfully.

This command uploads your app's backend and hosting files to Firebase servers, making your app live.

Terminal

firebase deploy

Expected Output

=== Deploying to 'my-firebase-project'...

✔  Deploy complete!

Project Console: https://console.firebase.google.com/project/my-firebase-project/overview

→

--only hosting - Deploy only the hosting part of your Firebase project

This command lists your storage buckets in AWS S3, showing where your files can be stored.

Terminal

aws s3 ls

Expected Output

2024-06-01 12:00:00 my-app-bucket

2024-06-02 15:30:00 logs-bucket

Key Concept

If you remember nothing else, remember: Firebase is easy and real-time, AWS is powerful and flexible, Supabase is open-source and SQL-based.

Common Mistakes

Trying to use Firebase commands without logging in first

Firebase CLI needs you to be logged in to connect to your project and deploy

Run 'firebase login' before running other Firebase commands

Not configuring AWS credentials before using AWS CLI commands

AWS CLI commands fail without credentials set, causing errors

Run 'aws configure' and enter your access keys and region

Assuming Supabase works exactly like Firebase without checking SQL database differences

Supabase uses PostgreSQL, so some Firebase features differ or need SQL knowledge

Learn basic SQL and Supabase docs to use it effectively

Summary

Use 'firebase init' and 'firebase deploy' to set up and publish apps quickly with Firebase.

Use 'aws configure' to set up AWS CLI access and 'aws s3 ls' to manage storage buckets.

Use 'supabase init' to start a Supabase project that offers an open-source SQL backend.

Practice

1. Which platform is best suited for quickly building apps with realtime data updates and simple backend requirements?

easy

A. Firebase

B. AWS

C. Supabase

D. None of the above

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand Firebase's main strength

   Firebase is designed for fast app development with realtime database and simple backend features.

2. Step 2: Compare with AWS and Supabase

   AWS is more complex and flexible, Supabase is open-source with SQL focus, but Firebase excels in realtime simplicity.

3. Final Answer:

   Firebase -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Realtime + simple backend = Firebase [OK]

Hint: Realtime + simple backend = Firebase [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing AWS as fastest for simple apps
• Thinking Supabase is best for realtime simplicity
• Assuming all platforms are equally simple

2. Which of the following is a correct statement about AWS compared to Firebase and Supabase?

easy

A. AWS is only for small projects with simple backend needs.

B. AWS offers powerful and flexible cloud services for complex projects.

C. AWS is an open-source SQL backend with realtime features.

D. AWS is mainly used for mobile app development with realtime database.

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify AWS's core purpose

   AWS provides a wide range of cloud services designed for large and complex projects requiring flexibility.

2. Step 2: Eliminate incorrect options

   "AWS is only for small projects with simple backend needs." is false because AWS handles complex projects; "AWS is mainly used for mobile app development with realtime database." describes Firebase; "AWS is an open-source SQL backend with realtime features." describes Supabase.

3. Final Answer:

   AWS offers powerful and flexible cloud services for complex projects. -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   AWS = powerful + flexible for complex projects [OK]

Hint: AWS = powerful and flexible for complex projects [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking AWS is only for simple apps
• Mixing Supabase features with AWS
• Assuming AWS is mainly for realtime mobile apps

3. Given this description: "An open-source backend with SQL database and realtime features," which platform fits best?

medium

A. Supabase

B. AWS

C. Firebase

D. Google Cloud Functions

Solution

1. Step 1: Analyze the description keywords

   Open-source, SQL backend, and realtime features point to Supabase's main characteristics.

2. Step 2: Compare with other platforms

   Firebase is not open-source and uses NoSQL; AWS is not open-source and offers many services; Google Cloud Functions is serverless compute, not a backend database.

3. Final Answer:

   Supabase -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Open-source + SQL + realtime = Supabase [OK]

Hint: Open-source + SQL + realtime = Supabase [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing Firebase as open-source
• Thinking AWS is open-source SQL backend
• Mixing serverless functions with backend databases

4. You want to build a complex app with many cloud services and custom infrastructure. Which mistake would cause problems if you choose Firebase instead of AWS?

medium

A. Firebase is too complex and hard to use for simple apps.

B. Firebase requires managing your own SQL database.

C. Firebase does not support realtime data updates.

D. Firebase lacks the flexibility and wide range of cloud services AWS offers.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand Firebase's limitations

   Firebase is great for simple apps but does not offer the extensive cloud services and flexibility AWS provides.

2. Step 2: Identify the mistake

   Choosing Firebase for complex infrastructure needs leads to lack of flexibility and missing services, which AWS covers well.

3. Final Answer:

   Firebase lacks the flexibility and wide range of cloud services AWS offers. -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Complex app needs flexibility = AWS, not Firebase [OK]

Hint: Complex needs require AWS flexibility, not Firebase [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking Firebase is complex and hard for simple apps
• Believing Firebase lacks realtime support
• Assuming Firebase requires manual SQL management

5. You want to build a realtime app with a SQL database and prefer open-source tools. Which platform should you choose and why?

hard

A. Firebase, because it offers the best SQL support and open-source backend.

B. AWS, because it has the simplest realtime database and open-source features.

C. Supabase, because it provides an open-source SQL backend with realtime capabilities.

D. None, because no platform supports realtime SQL with open-source backend.

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify the requirements

   The app needs realtime updates, SQL database, and open-source tools.

2. Step 2: Match requirements to platforms

   Firebase is not open-source and uses NoSQL; AWS is powerful but not open-source SQL backend; Supabase fits all requirements.

3. Step 3: Confirm Supabase features

   Supabase offers open-source SQL backend with realtime features, ideal for this scenario.

4. Final Answer:

   Supabase, because it provides an open-source SQL backend with realtime capabilities. -> Option C

5. Quick Check:

   Realtime + SQL + open-source = Supabase [OK]

Hint: Realtime + SQL + open-source = Supabase [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Choosing Firebase for SQL and open-source
• Assuming AWS is open-source SQL backend
• Believing no platform supports these features