Firebase →
Backend + Hosting Without Vendor Lock-in
Firebase locks you into Google's ecosystem. Runsite gives you open-source tools, EU hosting, and full data ownership.
// comparison
Runsite vs Firebase
Side-by-side. No marketing fluff — just facts.
| Feature | Runsite | Firebase |
|---|---|---|
| Vendor Lock-in | ✓ Open standards, Docker | ✗ Proprietary SDKs |
| EU Data Centers | ✓ Frankfurt (eu-central) | ✓ europe-west regions |
| GDPR Compliance | ✓ EU entity, full compliance | Complex DPA required |
| Backend Hosting | ✓ Full containers | Cloud Functions only |
| Database | ✓ Standard PostgreSQL | Firestore (proprietary) |
| Pricing Transparency | ✓ Fixed plans | Pay-per-read/write |
// in-depth comparison
Firebase vs Runsite: What You Need to Know
Firebase is Google's all-in-one backend platform, and it excels at rapid prototyping for mobile and web apps. Firestore, Firebase Auth, Cloud Messaging, and Hosting form a tightly integrated ecosystem that lets you ship fast. The free Spark plan is generous enough for small projects, and the real-time capabilities are genuinely useful.
The trade-off is vendor lock-in. Firestore's proprietary query model, Firebase-specific auth SDKs, and Cloud Functions tied to Google Cloud mean your code cannot run elsewhere without substantial rewrites. GDPR compliance on Firebase requires a Google Cloud DPA, careful region configuration, and ongoing vigilance about which services process data where. Runsite uses standard PostgreSQL, Docker containers, and S3-compatible storage — all portable to any other provider.
Teams that have outgrown Firebase's proprietary model, or that need straightforward EU compliance without navigating Google's data processing agreements, will find Runsite a cleaner foundation. You bring your own auth and realtime layer, but you own every piece of your stack.
// why switch
Built for European Developers
Everything you need, nothing you don't. Hosted where your users are.
No Vendor Lock-in
Standard PostgreSQL, Docker containers, S3 storage. Migrate away anytime — your code works anywhere.
Simple GDPR Compliance
EU entity, EU servers, no Google data processing agreements needed. Compliance out of the box.
Predictable Costs
No per-read/write charges. Fixed monthly plans you can budget for.
// firebase problems → runsite solutions
Sound Familiar?
Every Firebase frustration, solved.
Firebase problem
"Firebase locks me into Google"
Firestore, Cloud Functions, Firebase Auth — proprietary services that don't work outside Google Cloud.
Runsite solution
Open standards everywhere
PostgreSQL, Docker, S3. Standard tools that work on any platform.
Firebase problem
"GDPR compliance is complicated"
Firebase requires a Google Cloud DPA, data residency configuration, and careful SDK setup for EU compliance.
Runsite solution
GDPR by default
EU entity. EU servers. No configuration needed. Compliant from day one.
Firebase problem
"Costs spike with traffic"
Firebase charges per document read/write. A viral moment can mean a massive surprise bill.
Runsite solution
Fixed pricing + spending caps
Predictable monthly bills with hard limits. Traffic spikes don't break the bank.
// getting started
Deploy in 3 Steps
From git push to live — in under 2 minutes.
curl -fsSL https://runsite.app/install | sh runsite init --from github runsite deploy --region eu-central Own Your Data in Europe
Open standards. EU servers. No lock-in.
Start Free on Runsite →