When it comes to backend services for your web or mobile applications, there are several options available. In this article, we will compare three popular choices: Supabase, Firebase, and Strapi. Each of these platforms offers a range of features to help you build and manage your app’s backend, but there are some key differences to consider. Let’s dive in and see how they stack up against each other.
Authentication and User Management
One of the most important aspects of any application is user authentication and management. Supabase, Firebase, and Strapi all provide robust authentication systems, allowing you to easily add user registration, login, and password reset functionality to your app.
Supabase offers a simple and secure authentication system that supports popular providers like Google, Facebook, and GitHub. It also provides token-based authentication, making it easy to integrate with other services.
Firebase, on the other hand, provides a comprehensive authentication system with support for email/password, phone number, and social login options. It also offers features like email verification and multi-factor authentication for added security.
Strapi takes a different approach by providing a flexible user management system that allows you to define custom user roles and permissions. It also supports authentication through various providers, including email/password and OAuth.
Realtime Database
Realtime data updates are crucial for many applications, especially those that require real-time collaboration or live updates. Supabase and Firebase both offer realtime databases that can sync data across multiple clients in real time.
Supabase uses PostgreSQL’s powerful Pub/Sub system to provide realtime updates to your app. It also provides a simple API for subscribing to changes in your data, making it easy to keep your app in sync with the database. Firebase, on the other hand, offers Firebase Realtime Database, which is a NoSQL database that provides realtime synchronization and offline support. It uses a JSON data structure and provides a simple API for reading and writing data.
Strapi, however, does not offer a built-in realtime database. If you need realtime capabilities, you will need to integrate a third-party service like Pusher or Socket.io. This is one of the big differences between Strapi and the other 2 options.
Storage
Storing and serving files is a common requirement for many applications. Supabase, Firebase, and Strapi all provide storage solutions to help you manage your app’s files.
Supabase offers Supabase Storage, which is a secure and scalable file storage system. It provides an easy-to-use API for uploading, downloading, and deleting files, and supports various file formats.
Firebase provides Firebase Storage, which is a simple and powerful file storage solution. It offers secure file uploads and downloads and integrates seamlessly with other Firebase services.
Strapi includes built-in file upload functionality, allowing you to easily handle file uploads and serve files through its API. It also supports integrations with popular cloud storage providers like AWS S3 and Google Cloud Storage.
Serverless Functions
Serverless functions allow you to run code in the cloud without the need to manage servers. Supabase and Firebase both offer serverless functions that can be used to extend the functionality of your app.
Supabase provides Supabase Functions, which are serverless functions built on the popular AWS Lambda service. You can write your functions in Node.js or Python and deploy them with a simple command.
Firebase offers Firebase Cloud Functions, which are also serverless functions that can be triggered by events in your Firebase project. You can write your functions in JavaScript, TypeScript, or Python and deploy them with a single command.
Strapi does not provide a built-in serverless function feature. If you need serverless functionality, you will need to use a separate serverless platform like AWS Lambda or Google Cloud Functions.
API and Webhooks
Supabase, Firebase, and Strapi all provide APIs that allow you to interact with your app’s data programmatically. These APIs can be used to retrieve and manipulate data, as well as perform other actions.
Supabase provides a RESTful API that allows you to perform CRUD operations on your app’s data. It also supports webhooks, which can be used to trigger actions in other services when certain events occur.
Firebase offers a powerful API that allows you to read and write data in your Firebase project. It also provides webhooks, called Firebase Cloud Functions, which can be used to extend the functionality of your app.
Strapi provides a RESTful API out of the box, allowing you to access your app’s data through HTTP requests. It also supports webhooks, which can be used to integrate with other services.
Ease Of Use
The ease of use is a pivotal factor for developers when choosing a backend service. Let’s explore how Firebase, Supabase, and Strapi fare in terms of developer-friendliness.
Firebase, backed by Google, is renowned for its simplicity and rapid development capabilities. It offers a comprehensive set of tools and services neatly integrated into a single platform. Firebase’s real-time database, authentication, and cloud functions seamlessly work together, allowing developers to focus on building features rather than managing infrastructure.
// Firebase Authentication Example
const auth = firebase.auth();
auth.createUserWithEmailAndPassword(email, password)
.then((userCredential) => {
// Signed in
const user = userCredential.user;
})
.catch((error) => {
const errorCode = error.code;
const errorMessage = error.message;
});The Firebase console provides an intuitive interface for managing projects, monitoring analytics, and accessing various services. Its extensive documentation and vibrant community make it easy for developers, from beginners to seasoned professionals, to get started quickly.
Supabase stands out with its familiar SQL interface, making it a breeze for developers already accustomed to relational databases. The Supabase dashboard provides a clean and straightforward setup, allowing developers to navigate through projects effortlessly.
import { createClient } from "@supabase/supabase-js";
const supabase = createClient("https://<project>.supabase.co", "<your-anon-key>");
const { data } = await supabase.from("countries").select();Supabase’s real-time capabilities, accessible through the dashboard, simplify the implementation of instant updates in applications. Additionally, Supabase’s client libraries for different frameworks make integration smooth and seamless.
Strapi prides itself on flexibility and customization. Its open-source nature allows developers to mold the backend to suit specific project requirements. Strapi’s dashboard offers an intuitive content management system (CMS) for defining data models and relationships effortlessly.
// Strapi API Query Example
fetch('https://your-strapi-app.com/your-endpoint')
.then(response => response.json())
.then(data => console.log(data))
.catch(error => console.error('Error fetching data:', error));With Strapi, developers have the freedom to choose their preferred frontend frameworks and libraries, making it a versatile choice for those who prioritize customization. The learning curve might be slightly steeper, but the flexibility it provides is well worth the investment. You will need to use their REST API to get the data and therefore might need to have an extra backend to proxy the call to your Strapi API.
Data Modeling and Relationships
Supabase, Firebase, and Strapi all provide ways to model and manage your app’s data. However, they differ in their approach and flexibility.
Supabase uses PostgreSQL as its underlying database, which provides a powerful and flexible data modeling system. You can define tables, relationships, and constraints to create a structured and normalized database schema.
Firebase uses a NoSQL database, which provides a flexible and schema-less data modeling system. You can store data as JSON documents and create relationships between documents using references.
Strapi uses a MongoDB-like database, which provides a flexible and schema-less data modeling system. You can define collections and create relationships between documents using references or embedded documents.
Deployment and Scalability
Deploying and scaling your app is an important consideration when choosing a backend service. Supabase, Firebase, and Strapi all provide options for deploying and scaling your app.
Supabase provides a built-in deployment system that allows you to deploy your app with a single command. It also offers automatic scaling, so your app can handle increased traffic without manual intervention.
Firebase provides a hosting service that allows you to deploy your app with a simple command. It also offers automatic scaling, so your app can handle increased traffic without manual intervention.
Strapi does not provide a built-in deployment system. You will need to deploy your app manually to a hosting provider of your choice. However, Strapi is highly customizable and can be deployed to various hosting environments.
Pricing
Finally, let’s talk about pricing. Supabase, Firebase, and Strapi all offer free plans with limited features and usage. However, as your app grows, you may need to consider its pricing plans.
Supabase offers a pay-as-you-go pricing model, where you only pay for what you use. It provides transparent pricing and offers a calculator to help you estimate your costs. Pricing is based on resources available like storage and monthly active users.
Firebase offers a usage-based pricing model, where you pay for the resources you consume. It provides a pricing calculator to help you estimate your costs. Pricing is based on usage, so if your customers are heavy users of your product then this could be costly.
Strapi is an open-source platform, which means it is free to use. However, you will need to pay for hosting and any additional services you use.
Conclusion
Supabase, Firebase, and Strapi are all powerful backend services that can help you build and manage your app’s backend. Each platform has its own unique features and strengths, so it’s important to consider your specific needs and requirements. If you need a simple and secure authentication system, Supabase may be the right choice for you.
If you require a comprehensive set of features, including realtime database and serverless functions, Supabase or Firebase may be the better option. And if you value flexibility and customizability, Strapi may be the right fit. Ultimately, the choice between Supabase, Firebase, and Strapi depends on your specific needs, budget, and preferences.
Take the time to evaluate each platform and consider how well it aligns with your project requirements.
Happy coding!
