Appwrite vs Firebase
Appwrite vs Firebase compared for European indie developers and small startups. Pricing, EU jurisdiction, GDPR posture — and why Runsite (an EU-registered PaaS in Frankfurt) is worth a look.
// appwrite problems → runsite solutions
Sound Familiar?
Every Appwrite frustration, solved.
Appwrite problem
"I can't deploy my existing backend"
Appwrite is a structured BaaS. You build with their SDKs or not at all. Existing server-side apps don't fit.
Runsite solution
Deploy any codebase
Push your existing Django, Express, or Go project. Runsite builds and deploys it — no SDK migration needed.
Appwrite problem
"$25/project adds up fast"
Running 3 projects on Appwrite Cloud Pro costs $75/mo. Each project is billed separately.
Runsite solution
€5/service, mix and match
Run multiple services on one account. Web service from €5/mo, database from €5/mo. No per-project multiplier.
Appwrite problem
"Proprietary database is a lock-in risk"
Appwrite's database uses its own API. Migrating to another platform means rewriting all data access logic.
Runsite solution
Standard PostgreSQL, zero lock-in
Use standard SQL and any PostgreSQL client. Migrate to any other host that supports PostgreSQL.
// comparison
Runsite vs Appwrite
Side-by-side. No marketing fluff — just facts.
| Feature | Runsite | Appwrite |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy Existing Apps | ✓ Any Docker container or Git repo | ✗ BaaS SDKs only |
| Language Freedom | ✓ Any language, any framework | Serverless functions (limited runtimes) |
| Database | ✓ Standard PostgreSQL | Proprietary document DB |
| GDPR Compliance | ✓ EU entity | Israel HQ (EU adequacy) |
| Pricing (per project) | From €5/mo | $25/mo (Cloud Pro) |
| Auth/Realtime/Messaging | Bring your own | ✓ Built-in |
| Mobile SDKs | REST/GraphQL | ✓ iOS, Android, Flutter |
| Self-Hosting | Managed only | ✓ Fully self-hostable |
// the other side
What about Firebase?
Firebase locks you into Google's ecosystem. Runsite gives you open-source tools, EU hosting, and full data ownership.
// 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.
// 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 |
// why consider runsite
Beyond Appwrite and Firebase
EU PaaS for indie developers and small European startups. One region: Frankfurt.
EU-First Infrastructure
While Appwrite and Firebase default to US markets, Runsite is built exclusively for European developers. Frankfurt (eu-central) region, EU entity, EU jurisdiction — no transatlantic transfers.
Real GDPR Compliance
EU-registered entity. Your data is governed by European law. No US jurisdiction, no CLOUD Act.
Predictable Pricing
No per-invocation charges, no surprise bills. Fixed plans with hard spending caps and Telegram alerts.
Common Questions
FAQ
Which is better for EU hosting, Appwrite or Firebase?
Neither Appwrite nor Firebase is EU-native. Both are US-headquartered and route the majority of traffic through US data centers. For genuine EU data residency, an EU-registered platform like Runsite is the safer choice — a Frankfurt (eu-central) region under EU jurisdiction, no transatlantic transfers, no CLOUD Act exposure.
Which has the better free tier, Appwrite or Firebase?
Free tiers on both Appwrite and Firebase change frequently and often include compute or bandwidth caps that expire after a trial period. If a permanent free tier matters, evaluate the current terms on each provider before committing.
Is Appwrite or Firebase GDPR-compliant?
Both can be configured to support GDPR-compliant workloads via Data Processing Agreements (DPAs), but as US entities they remain subject to the CLOUD Act. For workloads where US jurisdiction is a hard blocker, an EU-headquartered provider is required.
What is the cheapest way to deploy a side project — Appwrite or Firebase?
Pricing on both Appwrite and Firebase can scale unpredictably with traffic or build minutes. Hard spending caps are not available on either platform. Predictable monthly pricing with usage caps is a differentiator to look for elsewhere.
// explore alternatives
Try the European Alternative
Skip the Appwrite vs Firebase debate. Deploy on Runsite.
Start Free on Runsite →