Supabase vs Firebase comparison - Quick Revision & Key Differences

Recall & Review

beginner

What is Supabase?

Supabase is an open-source backend-as-a-service platform that provides a Postgres database, authentication, real-time subscriptions, and storage, designed to be an alternative to Firebase.

beginner

What is Firebase?

Firebase is a Google-owned platform offering backend services like a NoSQL database (Firestore), authentication, hosting, and cloud functions, mainly used for building mobile and web apps quickly.

intermediate

How does Supabase store data compared to Firebase?

Supabase uses a relational Postgres database with tables and SQL queries, while Firebase uses a NoSQL document database called Firestore, which stores data in collections and documents.

beginner

Which platform is open-source: Supabase or Firebase?

Supabase is open-source, allowing developers to view and modify the source code, while Firebase is a proprietary service owned by Google.

intermediate

What is a key difference in real-time data handling between Supabase and Firebase?

Both support real-time updates, but Supabase uses Postgres's real-time capabilities with websockets, while Firebase uses its own Realtime Database and Firestore with built-in real-time listeners.

Which database type does Supabase use?

A NoSQL document database

B Relational SQL database

C Graph database

D Key-value store

Supabase uses a relational SQL database called Postgres.

Firebase is owned by which company?

A Microsoft

B Amazon

C Google

D Facebook

Firebase is a Google-owned platform.

Which platform is open-source?

A Supabase

B Both

C Firebase

D Neither

Supabase is open-source; Firebase is proprietary.

Which platform uses Firestore as its database?

A Supabase

B Neither

C Both

D Firebase

Firebase uses Firestore, a NoSQL document database.

How does Supabase provide real-time updates?

A Using Postgres real-time with websockets

B Using Firebase real-time database

C Polling every few seconds

D No real-time support

Supabase uses Postgres's real-time features with websockets for live updates.

Explain the main differences between Supabase and Firebase in terms of database type, openness, and real-time capabilities.

Think about how data is stored and how updates happen live.

Describe a scenario where choosing Supabase might be better than Firebase.

Consider database type and control over the backend.

Practice

1. Which database type does Supabase primarily use?

easy

A. SQL (relational database)

B. NoSQL (document database)

C. Graph database

D. Key-value store

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand Supabase database type

   Supabase is built on PostgreSQL, which is a relational SQL database.

2. Step 2: Compare with other database types

   Unlike NoSQL or graph databases, Supabase uses structured tables and SQL queries.

3. Final Answer:

   SQL (relational database) -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Supabase = SQL database [OK]

Hint: Supabase uses SQL, Firebase uses NoSQL [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing Supabase with NoSQL databases
• Thinking Supabase uses Firebase's database type
• Assuming Supabase is a key-value store

2. Which of the following is a correct statement about Firebase?

easy

A. Firebase is managed by Google and uses NoSQL

B. Firebase is open-source and uses SQL

C. Firebase requires manual server setup

D. Firebase only supports relational databases

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify Firebase management and database type

   Firebase is a Google-managed platform that uses NoSQL databases like Firestore.

2. Step 2: Eliminate incorrect options

   Firebase is not open-source, does not use SQL, and does not require manual server setup.

3. Final Answer:

   Firebase is managed by Google and uses NoSQL -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Firebase = Google-managed NoSQL [OK]

Hint: Firebase = Google-managed + NoSQL [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking Firebase is open-source
• Assuming Firebase uses SQL
• Believing Firebase needs manual server setup

3. Given a project requiring complex SQL queries and relational data, which platform is better suited?

medium

A. Firebase, because it supports SQL queries natively

B. Firebase, because it is open-source

C. Supabase, because it uses PostgreSQL with SQL support

D. Supabase, because it uses NoSQL for flexibility

Solution

1. Step 1: Analyze project needs for complex SQL and relational data

   Complex SQL queries and relational data require a relational database with SQL support.

2. Step 2: Match platform capabilities

   Supabase uses PostgreSQL, a relational SQL database, making it suitable. Firebase uses NoSQL and does not support SQL natively.

3. Final Answer:

   Supabase, because it uses PostgreSQL with SQL support -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Relational + SQL = Supabase [OK]

Hint: Relational + SQL = Supabase choice [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Choosing Firebase for SQL support
• Confusing open-source status
• Assuming Supabase uses NoSQL

4. You try to write a SQL query in Firebase's Firestore database and get an error. What is the likely cause?

medium

A. You need to use Firebase CLI to run SQL queries

B. Your SQL syntax is incorrect

C. Firestore requires a special SQL mode enabled

D. Firestore does not support SQL queries; it uses NoSQL syntax

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand Firestore query language

   Firestore is a NoSQL database and does not support SQL queries; it uses its own query syntax.

2. Step 2: Identify why SQL query fails

   Trying to run SQL in Firestore causes errors because SQL is not supported at all, not due to syntax or CLI issues.

3. Final Answer:

   Firestore does not support SQL queries; it uses NoSQL syntax -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Firestore = NoSQL, no SQL queries [OK]

Hint: Firestore uses NoSQL, not SQL queries [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming SQL syntax error instead of unsupported query
• Thinking Firestore has SQL mode
• Believing Firebase CLI runs SQL queries

5. You want to build a real-time chat app with easy setup and tight integration with Google services. Which platform fits best and why?

hard

A. Supabase, because it is open-source and uses SQL

B. Firebase, because it offers real-time database and Google ecosystem integration

C. Supabase, because it supports NoSQL and Google Cloud Functions

D. Firebase, because it requires manual server management

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify requirements for real-time chat and Google integration

   Real-time updates and easy Google service integration are key for this app.

2. Step 2: Match platform features

   Firebase provides a real-time database and is tightly integrated with Google Cloud services, making setup easier.

3. Step 3: Eliminate incorrect options

   Supabase is open-source and SQL-based but less integrated with Google. Firebase does not require manual server management.

4. Final Answer:

   Firebase, because it offers real-time database and Google ecosystem integration -> Option B

5. Quick Check:

   Real-time + Google integration = Firebase [OK]

Hint: Real-time + Google = Firebase best choice [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Choosing Supabase for Google integration
• Thinking Firebase needs manual servers
• Confusing database types for chat apps