What is Firebase Realtime Database?
Firebase Realtime Database is a cloud-hosted NoSQL database that synchronizes data in real-time between clients. Changes are immediately pushed to all connected devices. The database also works offline and automatically synchronizes when reconnected.
Core Features
- Real-time synchronization between all clients
- Offline persistence with automatic synchronization
- JSON-based data model
- Security Rules for granular access control
- SDKs for iOS, Android, web, and additional platforms
- REST API for server integration
Typical Use Cases
Chat Applications: Messages are pushed to all participants in real-time. Messages written offline are automatically sent when connected.
Collaborative Tools: Whiteboard apps, shared documents, or multiplayer games use Realtime Database for real-time collaboration.
Live Dashboards: Monitoring displays automatically update when backend data changes.
Benefits
- Millisecond latency for real-time updates
- Built-in offline support
- No server logic required for synchronization
- High scalability under the Blaze plan
Integration with innFactory
As a certified Google Cloud Partner, innFactory supports you with Firebase Realtime Database: data model design, security rules implementation, and optimization of real-time synchronization.
Available Tiers & Options
Spark (Free)
- 1 GB storage free
- 100 simultaneous connections
- Limited capacity
- Only one database instance
Blaze (Pay-per-use)
- Up to 200,000 simultaneous connections per database
- Multiple database instances possible
- Costs with high usage
Typical Use Cases
Technical Specifications
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Realtime Database and Firestore?
Realtime Database stores data as a JSON tree and offers very low latencies. Firestore is the document-based database with more extensive query capabilities and automatic scaling.
When should I use Realtime Database instead of Firestore?
Realtime Database is suitable for applications with very frequent, small updates (like cursor positions) or when extremely low latencies are more important than complex queries.
What does Firebase Realtime Database cost?
The free Spark plan includes 1 GB storage, 100 simultaneous connections, and 10 GB of data transfer per month. The Blaze plan bills usage beyond that by GB and connections.
Does Realtime Database work offline?
Yes, the SDK caches data locally. Changes are stored and automatically synchronized when the connection is restored.
How secure is Realtime Database?
Security Rules enable granular access controls based on authentication and data paths. The connection is encrypted by default.
Note: All product information on this page has been compiled with care, but is provided without guarantee and may be outdated or incomplete. Cloud services evolve rapidly — features, pricing, SLAs, and availability change frequently. Authoritative and up-to-date information can only be found on the official product page of Google Cloud (official documentation). This page does not represent an offer by Google Cloud.
