AWS vs Supabase vs Firebase
Battle of the backends
Image by mcmurryjulie
Intro
Over the past few years, I’ve had the chance to work with Firebase, Supabase, and most recently, AWS and each has shaped my growth as a engineer in different ways. As a freelancer and full time employee, Firebase was the status quo for delivering fast, scalable apps for clients who probably didn’t have the biggest budget. I also experimented with Supabase to build React Native projects on the side with the intent of gaining database design skills. And now, I’m diving into AWS, sharpening my cloud fundamentals so I can bring more value to my current and future clients. Each platform has taught me lessons, sparked frustrations, and ultimately helped me form opinions about why and when you should use each tool.
Firebase: For Engineers who don’t like backend
I recommend that most developers, especially those new to backend work, start with Firebase. I say this as someone who’s used it in both freelance and full-time roles to successfully build web and React Native apps. Firebase takes away a lot of the complexity and lets you focus on shipping.
For example, you don’t need to stress over database design principles. In fact, Firebase breaks certain normalization rules like duplicating data. This simplicity makes it approachable for those who don’t want to live and die by traditional database normalization rules.
Authentication is another big win. With Firebase, spinning up auth is as simple as setting up a listener and calling a few functions. No need to roll your own auth. On top of that, Firebase has been expanding with features like SQL support, even though it’s historically been a NoSQL service. Add in the growing opportunities to integrate AI tools, and you’ve got a platform that continues to evolve without overwhelming beginners.
Supabase: The Sweet Spot for Database Folks
Supabase is perfect for engineers who already have a background in database design and want more control without jumping into the deep waters of AWS.
Like Firebase, Supabase gives you auth and database calls right out of the box. But unlike Firebase, it doesn’t hold your hand. You need to understand schemas, relationships, and SQL fundamentals to really make the most of it. If you’ve already spent time designing databases or have experience with backend features like JWT tokens, Supabase should feel natural.
It sits nicely in the middle ground: lightweight enough for solo developers and small teams, but structured enough that you can flex your backend knowledge. For engineers who like the idea of scaling their skills without immediately going full enterprise, Supabase is the sweet spot.
AWS: The Cloud Giant’s Playground
And then there’s AWS. AWS isn’t for the faint of heart. Unlike Firebase or Supabase, AWS isn’t a platform you can just poke around in until things click. To succeed here, you need at least a foundation in networking fundamentals and AWS basics.
AWS has a dizzying number of services, and the learning curve is steep. Tinkering aimlessly will only leave you frustrated and potentially leave your application unsafe and/or broken. The smarter path is to invest in a solid course or structured training, then apply those fundamentals repeatedly across projects. Once you get comfortable, AWS opens up possibilities outside of BaaS.
With this in mind, context matters. If you’re building for an individual client or a small startup, I would consider Firebase or Supabase. They’ll let you move fast and deliver value without over engineering. But for clients operating at massive scale or those already locked into AWS services, having AWS skills in your toolkit is an advantage.
Closing Thoughts
Each of these platforms:Firebase, Supabase, AWS has its place. Firebase lowers the barrier of entry and makes app development accessible. Supabase bridges the gap by giving developers more backend control while keeping things approachable. AWS is the heavyweight, demanding serious investment but rewarding you with in demand skills that are utilized in fortune 500 companies. So which one have you learned or plan to learn in the future. Leave a comment.