Firebase vs. Traditional Backend: When to Use What
The Serverless Question
At Webentis, we use both Firebase and custom Node.js backends extensively. The decision isn't about which is "better" — it's about which is right for your project, budget, and timeline.
When Firebase Excels
MVPs and Prototypes: When speed-to-market matters, Firebase's authentication, Firestore, and hosting can cut development time by 50%.
Real-time Applications: Firestore's real-time listeners are unmatched for chat, collaboration, and live data features.
Small to Medium Scale: For apps under 100K monthly active users, Firebase's pricing and simplicity are hard to beat.
When Custom Backend Wins
Complex Business Logic: Multi-step workflows, complex calculations, and heavy data processing are better handled server-side.
Data Relationships: If your data is highly relational, PostgreSQL with a Node.js API often outperforms Firestore.
Cost at Scale: Firebase pricing can escalate unpredictably at high read/write volumes.
The Hybrid Approach
Our favorite pattern? Use Firebase for auth and real-time features while maintaining a Node.js API for complex business logic. Best of both worlds.
Making the Decision
We evaluate three factors: timeline pressure, data complexity, and projected scale. Most projects fall clearly into one camp — and we're honest about recommending the approach that serves you best, not the one that generates more billable hours.
Priya Sharma
Webentis