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Realtime Database vs Firestore

Developers should use Realtime Database when building applications that require instant data updates across multiple users or devices, such as real-time messaging, multiplayer games, or live tracking systems meets developers should use firestore when building applications that require real-time updates, such as chat apps, collaborative tools, or live dashboards, as it provides built-in listeners for data changes. Here's our take.

🧊Nice Pick

Realtime Database

Developers should use Realtime Database when building applications that require instant data updates across multiple users or devices, such as real-time messaging, multiplayer games, or live tracking systems

Realtime Database

Nice Pick

Developers should use Realtime Database when building applications that require instant data updates across multiple users or devices, such as real-time messaging, multiplayer games, or live tracking systems

Pros

  • +It eliminates the need for polling or manual sync logic, reducing development complexity and improving performance
  • +Related to: firebase, nosql

Cons

  • -Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

Firestore

Developers should use Firestore when building applications that require real-time updates, such as chat apps, collaborative tools, or live dashboards, as it provides built-in listeners for data changes

Pros

  • +It's also ideal for projects needing offline capabilities, cross-platform support (iOS, Android, web), and serverless backends, especially when combined with Firebase Authentication and Cloud Functions
  • +Related to: firebase, google-cloud-platform

Cons

  • -Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

The Verdict

Use Realtime Database if: You want it eliminates the need for polling or manual sync logic, reducing development complexity and improving performance and can live with specific tradeoffs depend on your use case.

Use Firestore if: You prioritize it's also ideal for projects needing offline capabilities, cross-platform support (ios, android, web), and serverless backends, especially when combined with firebase authentication and cloud functions over what Realtime Database offers.

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The Bottom Line
Realtime Database wins

Developers should use Realtime Database when building applications that require instant data updates across multiple users or devices, such as real-time messaging, multiplayer games, or live tracking systems

Disagree with our pick? nice@nicepick.dev