Firebase vs AWS vs Supabase comparison - Quick Revision & Key Differences

Recall & Review

beginner

What is Firebase primarily used for?

Firebase is a platform by Google that helps developers build mobile and web apps quickly with ready-to-use backend services like databases, authentication, and hosting.

beginner

How does AWS differ from Firebase in cloud services?

AWS offers a wide range of cloud services for computing, storage, databases, and more, suitable for all sizes of projects, while Firebase focuses on app development with simpler backend services.

intermediate

What is Supabase and how does it compare to Firebase?

Supabase is an open-source backend platform that provides a Postgres database, authentication, and real-time features, aiming to be an alternative to Firebase with SQL support.

intermediate

Which platform offers serverless functions: Firebase, AWS, or Supabase?

Both Firebase and AWS offer serverless functions (Firebase Functions and AWS Lambda), while Supabase is adding support but is mainly focused on database and authentication services.

advanced

What is a key advantage of using AWS over Firebase and Supabase?

AWS provides a vast ecosystem with flexible, scalable infrastructure and many specialized services beyond app backend, suitable for complex and large-scale enterprise needs.

Which platform is known for its easy-to-use backend services tailored for mobile apps?

A Supabase

B AWS

C Firebase

D None of the above

Firebase is designed to simplify backend development for mobile and web apps.

Which platform provides a fully managed Postgres database by default?

A Supabase

B Firebase

C AWS

D All of the above

Supabase uses Postgres as its core database, unlike Firebase which uses NoSQL.

Which platform offers the widest range of cloud services beyond app backend?

A AWS

B Firebase

C Supabase

D Firebase and Supabase

AWS provides extensive cloud services including computing, storage, AI, and more.

Which platform is open-source and aims to be an alternative to Firebase?

A AWS

B Firebase

C Google Cloud

D Supabase

Supabase is open-source and offers similar backend features to Firebase.

Which platform supports serverless functions called Lambda?

A Firebase

B AWS

C Supabase

D None

AWS Lambda is a popular serverless compute service.

Explain the main differences between Firebase, AWS, and Supabase in simple terms.

Think about what each platform is best known for.

Describe a scenario where you might choose Supabase over Firebase or AWS.

Consider database type and openness.

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