Firebase Authentication vs Appwrite

The lazy developer's dream for user sign-ins—just add water and pray it scales meets open-source firebase alternative that actually lets you self-host without selling your soul to a cloud provider. Here's our take.

Firebase Authentication

Nice Pick

The lazy developer's dream for user sign-ins—just add water and pray it scales.

Pros

• Dead-simple setup with pre-built UI components
• Handles social logins and phone auth without breaking a sweat
• Tight integration with other Firebase services like Firestore and Cloud Functions

Cons

• Vendor lock-in that makes switching away feel like a prison break
• Pricing can sneak up on you with high-volume phone authentication

Appwrite

Open-source Firebase alternative that actually lets you self-host without selling your soul to a cloud provider.

Pros

• Fully open-source with self-hosting on Docker for complete control
• Built-in authentication, databases, storage, and real-time features in one package
• RESTful and GraphQL APIs with auto-generated SDKs for multiple languages
• No vendor lock-in—migrate away anytime without rewriting your app

Cons

• Self-hosting requires DevOps skills and ongoing maintenance
• Less polished UI and documentation compared to commercial giants like Firebase
• Community support can be slower than paid enterprise options

The Verdict

Use Firebase Authentication if: You want dead-simple setup with pre-built ui components and can live with vendor lock-in that makes switching away feel like a prison break.

Use Appwrite if: You prioritize fully open-source with self-hosting on docker for complete control over what Firebase Authentication offers.

The Bottom Line

Firebase Authentication wins

The lazy developer's dream for user sign-ins—just add water and pray it scales.