Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Firebase VS Authy

Compare Firebase VS Authy and see what are their differences

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Firebase logo Firebase

Firebase is a cloud service designed to power real-time, collaborative applications for mobile and web.

Authy logo Authy

Best rated Two-Factor Authentication smartphone app for consumers, simplest 2fa Rest API for developers and a strong authentication platform for the enterprise.
  • Firebase Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-20
  • Authy Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-10-05

Firebase features and specs

  • Real-time Database
    Firebase offers a real-time NoSQL database that allows for real-time data synchronization across multiple devices. This is useful for applications that require immediate updates, like chat apps or live dashboards.
  • Easy Integration
    Firebase provides easy SDK integrations for Android, iOS, and web platforms. This helps in quick setup and reduces the time needed to get your application running.
  • Scalability
    Firebase services are built on Google's infrastructure, offering robust scalability to handle growing user bases and their corresponding data.
  • Authentication Services
    Firebase includes built-in authentication services, supporting email/password, Google, Facebook, Twitter, and more. This simplifies the process of user management.
  • Backend-as-a-Service
    Firebase provides a suite of tools, such as Firestore, Cloud Functions, and Storage, that allow you to build a comprehensive backend without managing server infrastructure.
  • Free Tier Availability
    Firebase offers a range of free tier options that allow developers to get started without incurring costs, making it appealing for startups and small projects.
  • Cross-Device Sync
    Firebase enables cross-device sync of application data in real-time, which is beneficial for applications where seamless data flow between devices is crucial.
  • Analytics Integration
    Firebase includes Firebase Analytics, a free app measurement solution that provides insights on app usage and user engagement.

Possible disadvantages of Firebase

  • Vendor Lock-In
    Firebase is a proprietary service provided by Google. Depending heavily on it can lead to vendor lock-in, making it difficult to switch to other platforms in the future.
  • Pricing for Large Scale Apps
    While Firebase offers a free tier, the pricing can become expensive for large-scale applications with heavy data and usage requirements, potentially leading to higher costs.
  • Limited Querying Capabilities
    Firebase's real-time database and Firestore come with certain querying limitations compared to SQL databases. Complex queries and joins might be difficult to implement efficiently.
  • Security Rules Complexity
    Configuring security rules for Firebase can be complex and error-prone, which can lead to security vulnerabilities if not handled correctly.
  • Data Migration Challenges
    Migrating data in and out of Firebase can be challenging, especially if you're moving to or from a different database system.
  • Limited Customization
    Because Firebase is a managed service, there is limited ability to customize the backend to meet specific requirements or use cases, unlike self-hosted solutions.
  • Latency Issues
    While Firebase aims to be globally distributed, users may experience latency issues depending on their geographic location in relation to Firebase servers.
  • Feature Parity
    Certain advanced features available in Firebase might not have parity across all platforms (iOS, Android, Web), making consistent cross-platform development more challenging.

Authy features and specs

  • Multi-device synchronization
    Authy allows users to sync their 2FA tokens across multiple devices, which provides a convenient way to access tokens from phones, tablets, and desktops.
  • Encrypted backups
    Authy provides encrypted backups of the 2FA tokens to the cloud, ensuring that users can recover their tokens in case of device loss or damage.
  • Offline usage capability
    Authy can generate 2FA codes even when the user’s device is offline, providing access to tokens without requiring an active internet connection.
  • Desktop app available
    Authy offers a desktop application that allows users to manage and use their 2FA tokens directly from their computer, enhancing accessibility and usability.
  • Security features
    Authy includes advanced security features such as PIN protection and biometric login options, adding an additional layer of security to the 2FA tokens.

Possible disadvantages of Authy

  • Dependency on cloud service
    Authy’s cloud-based backup and multi-device synchronization features create a dependency on their cloud service, which may raise privacy and security concerns for some users.
  • Limited customization options
    Compared to some other authentication apps, Authy offers fewer options for custom-tailoring the appearance and organization of the 2FA tokens.
  • Potential for lockout
    If users forget their Authy backup password or lose access to all trusted devices, they may have difficulty recovering their 2FA tokens, leading to a potential lockout of their accounts.
  • Initial setup complexity
    The initial setup process, which includes account verification and device synchronization, may be more complex and time-consuming compared to other simpler 2FA apps.
  • Limited platform support
    While Authy supports major platforms such as iOS, Android, and Windows, it does not have the same broad platform compatibility as some other 2FA solutions, potentially limiting its usability for some users.

Analysis of Firebase

Overall verdict

  • Firebase is generally considered a good option for developers who need a reliable and feature-rich backend solution without the hassle of server management. It is especially praised for its real-time database capabilities and ease of use.

Why this product is good

  • Firebase is a comprehensive suite of products that helps developers build, improve, and grow mobile and web applications. It offers a variety of tools and features such as real-time databases, authentication, cloud storage, analytics, and hosting. It is fully managed by Google, which means developers can focus on developing their apps without worrying about backend infrastructure. Furthermore, Firebase integrates easily with other Google services and provides robust user and device analytics.

Recommended for

  • Mobile app developers looking for a scalable backend solution.
  • Startups and small teams who want to minimize infrastructure overhead.
  • Developers who need real-time data synchronization.
  • Projects that would benefit from seamless integration with other Google services such as Google Cloud and Google Analytics.
  • Teams looking to quickly prototype and launch MVPs (Minimum Viable Products).

Analysis of Authy

Overall verdict

  • Authy is generally considered a good and reliable two-factor authentication (2FA) app.

Why this product is good

  • Authy is praised for its ease of use, cross-platform support, and strong security features. It provides cloud backup of authentication tokens, which is convenient for users who switch devices. The app supports a wide range of online services, making it a versatile option for enhancing account security.

Recommended for

    Authy is recommended for individuals who seek a user-friendly and secure way to manage their two-factor authentication across multiple devices and platforms. It is suitable for both beginners and experienced users who prioritize security and convenience in their digital security practices.

Firebase videos

Is Firebase a Good Long Term Solution?

More videos:

Authy videos

How to Use Authy To Keep Your Data Safe

More videos:

  • Review - GOOGLE AUTHENTICATOR vs. AUTHY - (AUTHY WON)
  • Review - Productivity Tuesday Ep#4 -- Authy Two Factor Authentication

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Firebase and Authy)
Developer Tools
100 100%
0% 0
Identity And Access Management
App Development
100 100%
0% 0
Two Factor Authentication

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Firebase and Authy

Firebase Reviews

10 Top Firebase Alternatives to Ignite Your Development in 2024
It proudly calls itself the “open-source Firebase alternative,” and for good reason. Supabase gives you the power of a PostgreSQL database, authentication, instant APIs, real-time subscriptions, and more – all without the vendor lock-in of Firebase.
Source: genezio.com
Top 7 Firebase Alternatives for App Development in 2024
Data Export:Backup Your Data: Begin by creating backups of all your data stored in Firebase. This ensures you have a safe copy in case anything goes wrong during the migration.Export Data: Use Firebase's data export tools to download your datasets. This can often be done through the Firebase console or via Firebase CLI commands.
Source: signoz.io
Best Serverless Backend Tools of 2023: Pros & Cons, Features & Code Examples
That’s a wrap: 6 best serverless backend for your next project! If you like Firebase, check out Rowy, our Firebase content management system.
Source: www.rowy.io
What is AWS Amplify? - AWS Amplify Alternatives
The Google Firebase feature set includes a wide variety of components, some of which are file storage, application programming interfaces (APIs), cloud hosting, intelligent analytics, and real-time databases.
Source: mindmajix.com
2023 Firebase Alternatives: Top 10 Open-Source & Free
Although Firebase has some limitations, many online web and mobile applications are still running on Firebase. Likewise, BuiltWith confirms that 396,531 live websites on the internet utilize Firebase. Correspondingly, 2953 companies and 32113 developers claim to use Firebase for different tech stacks on StackShare.

Authy Reviews

7 Best Google Authenticator Alternatives For Android And iOS
And another big difference that it provides over the Google Authenticator is the Authy passcode. Using this code, no one will be able to browse through all your codes.
The Best Authenticator Apps for 2023
One of Twilio Authy’s big advantages is encrypted cloud backup. However, it’s somewhat concerning that you can add the account to a new phone using “a PIN code sent via a call or an SMS,” according to Authy’s support pages. There’s also an option to enter a private password or passphrase that Authy uses to encrypt login info for your accounts to the cloud. The password is...
Source: www.pcmag.com
Top 6 Google Authenticator Alternatives in 2023
Although most alternatives to Google Authenticator are completely free but potentially relatively limited in terms of options, Duo can offer you a lot if you’re willing to pay for it. The free option, which Cisco advises is aimed towards individuals and very small teams, is most comparable to what Google offers and will be enough for many, though it faces stiff competition...
Is Authy better than Google Authenticator?
.large-mobile-banner-1-multi-842{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none;line-height:0;margin-bottom:3px!important;margin-left:0!important;margin-right:0!important;margin-top:3px!important;min-height:250px;min-width:300px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}But to avoid this problem entirely, make sure to add Authy to any devices you want and then Disable...
The Best 2FA Apps 2021: Locking Down Your Online Accounts
As far as website support goes, Authy 2FA tokens work with any service that accepts TOTP-based authenticator apps. Authy even maintains a database of services it supports, complete with step-by-step instructions for how to enable 2FA on those services. In addition to password managers like Keeper, cloud storage like Box and encrypted email services like ProtonMail, Authy...

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Firebase should be more popular than Authy. It has been mentiond 272 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Firebase mentions (272)

  • Fast, Simple and Open Firebase Alternative: TrailBase
    There is little mention of realtime on the Firebase landing page https://firebase.google.com We likely agree that firebase is superb. But your criticism of using ‘alternative’ is unjust both in terms of the breadth of firebase, and why a competitor might target someone about to choose Firebase. - Source: Hacker News / 12 days ago
  • An upgraded dev experience in Google AI Studio
    Presumably Google AI Studio[1] and Google Firebase Studio[2] are made by different teams with very similar pitches, and Google is perfectly happy to have both of them exist, until it isn't: - AI Studio: "the fastest place to start building with the Gemini API" - Firebase Studio: "Prototype, build, deploy, and run full-stack, AI apps quickly" [1] https://aistudio.google.com/apps [2] https://firebase.google.com/. - Source: Hacker News / 16 days ago
  • Firebase Cloud Functions: Your Gateway to Serverless Backend Development
    Firebase provides a suite of tools and services designed to streamline the development process, abstracting away complex infrastructure management. Cloud Functions, a key component of the Firebase ecosystem, empowers developers to write and deploy backend code without the burden of provisioning or managing servers. This allows them to focus solely on writing the application logic, freeing up time and resources for... - Source: dev.to / about 1 month ago
  • Build a Simple Grocery Tracker App using Vue JS and Supabase
    Supabase is an open-source Firebase alternative that provides a full backend out of the box — including a PostgreSQL database, authentication, file storage, and auto-generated APIs. It’s developer-friendly, easy to set up, and integrates smoothly with frontend frameworks like Vue. - Source: dev.to / about 1 month ago
  • Build a Job Application and Interview App with Next.js, Stream & Firebase
    In this tutorial, you will learn how to build a job application and interviewing platform using Next.js, Stream, and Firebase. This app will allow recruiters to post job openings, review applications, and schedule interviews. Job seekers can also apply for jobs and communicate with recruiters. - Source: dev.to / about 1 month ago
View more

Authy mentions (139)

  • A list of SaaS, PaaS and IaaS offerings that have free tiers of interest to devops and infradev
    Authy - Two-factor authentication (2FA) on multiple devices, with backups. Drop-in replacement for Google Authenticator. Free for up to 100 successful authentications. - Source: dev.to / over 1 year ago
  • Ask HN: What 2FA iOS app do you use?
    Https://authy.com/ Acquired by Twilio. I'm not even sure if they still update it, last blog post was 3 years ago. - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • How to Set Up 2FA on Your BitStarz Account
    2FA apps such as Google Authenticator and Authy randomly generate a code every minute or so, which is matched to a specific key associated with your login. In essence, this means that whenever a login asks for your 2FA code, it knows which number to expect and will only unlock if that correct number is entered. Source: over 1 year ago
  • How can I avoid MFAuthenticator?
    You can also set up the Authy authenticator app on a PC, so you don't have to use a mobile app at all, but use a PC app instead :). Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Coworker refused to use a second factor for his Azure Global ADM bcs he doesn‘t need a „Gadget“ like a FIDO key.
    Check out authy. It's considered less secure than other device-specific OTP solutions, but it's better than not using it. Source: about 2 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Firebase and Authy, you can also consider the following products

Supabase - An open source Firebase alternative

Google Authenticator - Google Authenticator is a multifactor app for mobile devices.

Android Studio - Android development environment based on IntelliJ IDEA

Duo Security - Duo Security provides cloud-based two-factor authentication. Duo’s technology can be deployed to protect users, data, and applications from breaches, credential theft, and account takeover.

Socket.io - Realtime application framework (Node.JS server)

Azure Multi-Factor Authentication - Azure Multi-Factor Authentication helps safeguard access to data and applications while meeting user demand for a simple sign-in process.