# 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: 2026-06-11_

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.

## Get started

[Download Railbase](../download) · [browse the plugins](../plugins)