You can read the original publication on: http://blog.back4app.com/2016/06/15/firebase-parse/

1. back4app.com
Firebase vs Parse Server

2. Firebase vs Parse Server
• Google has recently released a new version of Firebase.
• It provides a unified platform to build Android, iOS, and web Apps. Admob,
Analytics, Authentication, Indexing, Test Lab, and Notifications are some of the
new features introduced in the latest version of Firebase.
• Parse Server is a better choice to build new apps or API’s.
• Read on to get a sense of comparison between the two and to understand why
Parse Server is still better.
• You can read the original publication on:
http://blog.back4app.com/2016/06/15/firebase-parse/

3. Firebase
• There are still many Android and iOS apps that have Parse as their backend.
• But since Facebook has given a deadline to migrate these apps, developers
are on a constant lookout for alternatives.
• Firebase from Google is one such alternative that can host web apps.
• Below are some of the striking features of Firebase that seem to be
advantageous to the developers.

4. Firebase
• Firebase stores the data in JSON format.
• JSON data is readily available through REST API’s or by using client libraries.
• The data is stored in the cloud and thus can be accessed from anywhere.
Data Storage

5. Firebase
• Firebase is designed with a model-observer scheme which is most useful for
interactive apps.
• Any change in data done on the server is updated to the registered clients in
real-time.
• The data syncs almost instantly on the client devices.
• Cloud messaging and remote customization of apps enables to update the
app variables instantly.
Real-time data sync

6. Firebase
• It is robust, cross-platform APIs for Android and iOS apps.
• It also supports Javascript with highly flexible security API.
• Authentication through Twitter, Facebook, and Google are validated.
Authentication and data security

7. Firebase
• The users need not have to worry about hosting data as Firebase will take
care of it.
• With a central database, Firebase can update all the users with real-time
data.
Central Database

8. Firebase vs Parse Server
• Google is supporting Firebase similar to how Facebook supported Parse.
• But now, Facebook has shut down Parse and developers have been
presented with the open source version of it.
• Here are some of the best features of Parse Server.

9. Parse Server
• Parse Server is the open source version of Parse that has been supported by
a strong community of open source developers.
• In fact, Parse Server has worked on the shortcomings that were present in
Parse and retained the good things that were present in Parse.
• With the Parse Server self-hosted by the users, it can be the best platform to
develop new Android or iOS apps or API’s.

10. Parse Server
• Parse Server needs infrastructure that runs on Node.js and it supports
Express web app framework.
• Once you have the data ready in the database, you don’t need any
significant changes to the client code to run your applications.
Easy to deploy

11. Parse Server
• Parse used MongoDB to store data and Amazon S3 bucket to store file system.
• Parse Server has enhanced database functionalities such as performance refactoring,
data backup and restore, and indexing.
• With Parse Server, users can choose a file system of their choice.
• There is also an option of storing files in JSON format as a backup.
• These JSON files can be imported whenever needed.
• Parse had a cap on the number of queries, cloud functions, and database triggers but
Parse Server has no such limitations.
Data Storage

12. Parse Server
• Parse Server has managed to ensure data security without changing client
code.
• Pointer permission is one of the most recent updates for the Parse Server
and is available in the latest version of Parse Server.
Pointer Permission

13. Parse Server
• Parse was well-known for its dashboard and Parse Server has all the amazing
dashboard features of Parse.
• The dashboard enables users to manage and configure their apps and send
push notifications.
Dashboard

14. Parse Server
• Users need not make the same queries every time they need data.
• Users can construct a query and Parse Server will fetch real-time data as and
when the resulting data changes.
Live Queries

15. Firebase vs Parse Server
• The advantage of open source development environment is that the
developers have full control over the source code.
• They have the power of migrating the data to different platforms when they
require.
• When Facebook announced the shutdown of Parse, developers had to
migrate data and application to another BaaS or MBaaS.
• With such an experience, trusting any other BaaS may seem unacceptable to
them anymore.
Vendor Lock-in

16. Firebase vs Parse Server
• Parse Server has long-term stability compared to any such vendor-based
platforms.
• With a strong community background and feature-rich open source
platform, Parse Server is undoubtedly better than Firebase to develop
Android, iOS or web application API’s.
Vendor Lock-in

17. Firebase vs Parse Server
• Firebase can host Android, iOS and web applications and so does Parse
Server.
• But as far as Parse Server is concerned, it has all the features of Firebase and
much more advantages that it can offer to the users.
• Users of Firebase will not have full access to their source code and IP
ownership of app components is denied.
• With embedded platforms, REST API’s of Firebase cannot be implemented
quickly.
Quick Comparison

18. Firebase vs Parse Server
• Reporting tools are not strong enough in Firebase.
• Data migration is not as easy as Parse Server.
• Firebase does not support simple Geo queries.
• Parse Cloud Code is much superior compared to even the latest version of
Firebase.
• Above all, Firebase users are vendor-locked.
Quick Comparison

19. Firebase vs Parse Server