A developer can use Google Cloud and Firebase to manage and develop web pages, applications, and other projects. A brief introduction to the concept of cloud is provided to better understand the solution they offer.
The infrastructure, in addition to the suite of services based on the concept of timesharing, is separate from the cloud. Even though Google Cloud and Firebase work well together, they have distinct characteristics. We’ll investigate them here.
Key Takeaways
- Google Cloud provides many cloud computing services, while Firebase specializes in mobile and web application development.
- Firebase offers real-time database solutions, whereas Google Cloud provides various storage and database services.
- Firebase is built on top of Google Cloud, making it a subset of its services.
Google Cloud vs Firebase
Google Cloud is recognized as a significant Cloud or IaaS provider that consists of a set of physical assets and virtual resources contained in Google’s data centers around the globe. Firebase is a set of hosting services for any type of application recognized as a BaaS provider. It is more expensive.
The addition of Google Cloud Platform, also known as GCP and G suite, is known as Google Cloud. GCP provides the infrastructure and platform for writing and running code, as well as data storage and other services.
And the G suite includes Google Docs, Google Drive, and other Google products, so these are the software you can use on this platform.
Aside from that, G Suite has several APIs that you can use to improve your Google Cloud Platform experience. Google Cloud Platform introduced Firebase as a backend as a service (or BaaS).
It was founded as a startup through YC11 in 2011 by two developers. As a result of its potency, Google acquired it within the next few years. As a result, it is designed with developers in mind, making it a developer-centric platform.
Its goal was to provide clients with a better user experience. You won’t need to write any APIs because the clients will be able to connect directly to the server.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of comparison | Google Cloud | Firebase |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | It is a cloud computing services’ suite. | It is a development platform. |
| Purpose | It helps in computing, networking, storing, data analytics, etc to make it available to the clients. | Helps in building applications and enhancing the user base. |
| Is it compatible with the server-side developer? | Yes | No |
| Is it compatible with the client-side developers? | No | Yes |
| Applications | Software leveraging, the infrastructure of google’s core, machine learning, etc. | Mobile apps, deploying new features in an existing app, etc. |
What is Google Cloud?
We discussed cloud in the beginning, but that was only a brief overview of the concept. For a better understanding, a cloud is a collection of tools that can be divided into three major categories.
We also mentioned that it was influenced by the timesharing concept; what exactly is timesharing? Big companies used to rent their extra computers to smaller companies as a passive income source in the past, but as time went on, the concept evolved with advanced infrastructure and the incorporation of advanced tools and software.
And it was from this that the concept of the cloud was born.
It allows you to save time from scaling and use it to develop new features, interact with clients, and create an overall environment that makes application use simple for users.
We’ve seen how the Google Cloud is put together as a whole; now let’s look at how it helps us and what it allows us to do. You can run code on the Google Cloud Platform, giving you the freedom to write as much code as you want without worrying about scalability.
By deploying a web application, you can also manage to run the code on the cloud.
There are also SQL databases, NoSQL databases, and file storage to consider. You can easily create a variety of web apps with these tools.
The best part is that you won’t have to worry about management or scalability. Then there are data migration tools and networking tools for establishing a global network anywhere in the world.
An apiary is a tool that allows you to create your APIs.
What is Firebase?
Firebase is a cutting-edge platform for building apps and websites. Google bought Firebase in 2014 because of its unique capabilities and enormous potential to stand out in the future.
We’ve already covered how to get started with Firebase. Let’s take a look at how it can help us and what we can accomplish with it.
Between Google Cloud and Firebase, there are some similarities. They have three products in common.
Cloud function, cloud storage, and cloud firebase are the three. Google Cloud is not a client SDK like Firebase, which is one of the major differences between their applications.
You can add either of the products to a project, and you can have multiple projects, as previously stated. Billing, access control, terms of service, and accounts are there as well.
Overall, hosting, authentication, real-time database, and file storage are some of the best features of Firebase. Andrew Lee and James Tamplin founded the company.
The Google Cloud Console differs significantly from the Firebase Console. Another advantage of Firebase is that it allows you to work on iOS, Android, and the web all at the same time.
Aside from that, you have a pay-per-use option, which means you only have to pay for the time you use it.
Main Differences Between Google Cloud and Firebase
- The Google Cloud Console is not the same as the Firebase Console.
- In Google Cloud, you can create your APIs, whereas, in Firebase, you don’t have to.
- For server-side developers, Google Cloud is the best option, while for client-side developers, Firebase is the best option.
- Google Cloud provides computing, networking, storing, data analytics, and other services to clients, whereas Firebase assists in the development of applications and the expansion of the user base.
- Google Cloud’s applications include software leveraging, Google’s core infrastructure, machine learning, and so on, whereas Firebase’s applications include mobile apps, deploying new features in an existing app, and so on.
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S235286481830035X
- https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=JeeODAAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PP10&dq=google+cloud+and+firebase&ots=tm7Jt_MyzS&sig=Is3Sr42A4uDQbpu_lnIRy846NBs
Last Updated : 13 July, 2023
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Sandeep Bhandari holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Computers from Thapar University (2006). He has 20 years of experience in the technology field. He has a keen interest in various technical fields, including database systems, computer networks, and programming. You can read more about him on his bio page.
