Firebase vs MongoDB

Google's all-in-one meets the database for when you want to store json and pretend it's a schema. Here's our take.

Firebase

Nice Pick

Google's all-in-one. Fast to start, painful to leave.

Pros

• Mature ecosystem
• Great docs
• Fast prototyping
• Google scale

Cons

• Vendor lock-in
• NoSQL limits
• Pricing surprises
• Proprietary

MongoDB

The database for when you want to store JSON and pretend it's a schema.

Pros

• Flexible schema allows rapid prototyping and iteration
• Native JSON-like document storage fits well with modern web apps
• Horizontal scaling with sharding is straightforward
• Aggregation pipeline is powerful for complex queries

Cons

• Lack of enforced schema can lead to messy data over time
• Joins are clunky compared to relational databases

The Verdict

Use Firebase if: You want mature ecosystem and can live with vendor lock-in.

Use MongoDB if: You prioritize flexible schema allows rapid prototyping and iteration over what Firebase offers.

The Bottom Line

Firebase wins

Google's all-in-one. Fast to start, painful to leave.