A self-hosted Firebase alternative
Own your data on your own server instead of a proprietary Google cloud — with the app-backend essentials and business modules built in.
Updated
Firebase made real-time apps easy — but it's Google-hosted, proprietary, and can't be self-hosted, and usage-based pricing can surprise you at scale. Railbase offers the same app-backend essentials while keeping everything on infrastructure you control.
At a glance
| Firebase | Railbase | |
|---|---|---|
| Hosting | Google cloud only | Self-host, anywhere |
| Data ownership | Proprietary; data in Google | Your server, one file |
| Database | Firestore (NoSQL) | Embedded document store |
| Auth, realtime, files | Yes | Yes |
| Pricing | Usage-based (can spike) | Free core + per-seat plugin licenses |
| Lock-in | High | Low — own the binary + data |
When Firebase is the better choice
If you want a fully-managed, scale-to-zero serverless backend, are deep in the Google/GCP ecosystem, and don't want to run any servers, Firebase is mature and convenient.
When teams pick Railbase
- Own your data and your bill: self-hosted, no vendor cloud, no per-read/write metering.
- No lock-in: it's your binary and your single data file — move it anywhere.
- More than infrastructure: ready business modules (helpdesk, inventory, accounting, CMS) you install and run yourself.
Choose Firebase if a managed Google backend fits and you accept the lock-in. Choose Railbase to own your stack end-to-end and add business apps without a third party.
FAQ
Can Firebase be self-hosted?
No — Firebase runs only in Google's cloud. If self-hosting and data ownership are requirements, you need a different backend: Railbase runs as a single binary on any Linux, macOS or Windows server you control.
Does Railbase have usage-based pricing like Firebase?
No. There is no per-read/per-write metering. The Railbase core is free to self-host; commercial plugins are flat per-seat licenses, so the bill doesn't move with traffic.
Does Railbase offer realtime updates like Firestore?
Yes. Realtime change subscriptions are built into the core, alongside auth, file storage and the REST API — the app-backend essentials Firebase is known for, on your own server.
Where is my data stored with Railbase?
In a single .vault file on your server — an embedded NoSQL document store.
Backups, migrations between machines and audits are file-level operations you
perform yourself; no third party holds your data.