AWS Amplify vs Firebase: Complete Comparison Guide 2026
Comprehensive comparison of AWS Amplify and Firebase for mobile app development. Compare features, pricing, scalability, and choose the right platform for your project.
Choosing between AWS Amplify and Firebase is one of the most critical decisions in mobile app development. Both platforms offer comprehensive backend-as-a-service (BaaS) solutions, but they cater to different needs, scales, and development philosophies.
In this comprehensive guide, we'll compare AWS Amplify and Firebase across all critical dimensions: features, pricing, performance, scalability, developer experience, and use cases. By the end, you'll know exactly which platform is right for your project.
The Strategic Choice
Both platforms offer enterprise-grade capabilities, but their core philosophies differ significantly:
- AWS Amplify: A sophisticated toolkit for developers who need deep integration with the broader AWS ecosystem. Ideal for regulated industries and complex enterprise architectures.
- Firebase: A developer-first platform optimized for speed and real-time syncing. Perfect for startups aiming for rapid market entry and seamless mobile experiences.
Core Features Comparison
Authentication & User Management
| Feature | AWS Amplify | Firebase |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-Factor Auth | ||
| Custom Auth Flows | Limited | |
| SAML/Enterprise SSO | Cloud Identity | |
| Compliance (HIPAA/SOC) | Limited | |
| Ease of Setup | Moderate | Easy |
Database Solutions
| Feature | AWS Amplify | Firebase |
|---|---|---|
| NoSQL Database | DynamoDB | Firestore |
| GraphQL Support | ||
| Real-time Sync | ||
| Offline Support | ||
| Scaling Limit | Unlimited | High |
Pricing Comparison
Cost Structure Divergence
Pricing is often the deciding factor between the two. While both offer a "pay-as-you-go" model, the inflection points where one becomes cheaper than the other vary based on your user growth and data throughput.
Firebase Pricing
| Service | Free Tier | Paid Tier |
|---|---|---|
| Firestore | 50K reads, 20K writes/day | $0.06/100K reads, $0.18/100K writes |
| Authentication | Unlimited (phone auth limited) | $0.06/verification (phone) |
| Storage | 5GB stored, 1GB/day transfer | $0.026/GB stored, $0.12/GB transfer |
| Hosting | 10GB storage, 360MB/day transfer | $0.026/GB stored, $0.15/GB transfer |
AWS Amplify Pricing
| Service | Free Tier | Paid Tier |
|---|---|---|
| DynamoDB | 25GB storage, 25 WCU, 25 RCU | $0.25/GB storage, $0.00065/WCU |
| Cognito | 50,000 MAUs | $0.0055/MAU (after 50K) |
| S3 Storage | 5GB storage, 20K GET, 2K PUT | $0.023/GB storage, $0.0004/1K GET |
| AppSync | 250K queries/month | $4.00/million queries |
Pricing Verdict
- Early Stage (<10K users): Firebase often wins with its generous free bucket.
- Scaling Phase: Costs remain comparable but Amplify offers better volume discounts.
- Enterprise Tier: AWS Amplify's predictability makes it the safer choice for high-volume apps.
Performance & Scalability
| Feature | AWS Amplify | Firebase |
|---|---|---|
| Infrastructure | AWS Core | Google Cloud |
| Auto-scaling | ||
| Edge Computing | CloudFront | Firebase Hosting |
| Concurrent Users | Unlimited | High |
| Region Support | Multi-region | Single (default) |
Developer Experience
Learning Curve vs. Development Velocity
Firebase is designed for immediate productivity. Its documentation is crystalline, and the setup is almost entirely automatedāmaking it the champion of initial development velocity.
AWS Amplify demands more from the developer. It requires a foundational understanding of AWS Identity (IAM) and regional resources, but it repays that effort with unprecedented control over your infrastructure.
Setup Time Comparison
Firebase Setup
- Create project: 2 minutes
- Add Firebase to app: 5 minutes
- Setup authentication: 10 minutes
- Configure database: 5 minutes
- Total: ~22 minutes
AWS Amplify Setup
- Install Amplify CLI: 5 minutes
- Initialize project: 10 minutes
- Add authentication: 15 minutes
- Configure API: 20 minutes
- Total: ~50 minutes
Security & Compliance
Security and Corporate Compliance
In highly regulated markets like Bahrain or Saudi Arabia, compliance isn't just a checklistāit's a gatekeeper. AWS Amplify's ability to leverage regional isolation (like the AWS Bahrain region) and native HIPAA/FedRAMP support gives it a distinct edge for government and healthcare applications.
| Feature | AWS Amplify | Firebase |
|---|---|---|
| HIPAA Compliance | Limited | |
| FedRAMP/PCI L1 | ||
| SOC 1/2/3 | ||
| GDPR Readiness | ||
| Custom Encryption | Limited |
Use Cases: When to Choose Each Platform
Choose AWS Amplify If:
AWS Amplify is Best For
- Enterprise applications requiring compliance (HIPAA, FedRAMP)
- Complex backend logic with microservices architecture
- Existing AWS infrastructure you want to integrate with
- Predictable, high-scale traffic (> 100K users)
- Multi-region deployment requirements
- Advanced GraphQL APIs with custom resolvers
- Team with AWS experience or willingness to learn
Choose Firebase If:
Firebase is Best For
- Rapid prototyping and MVPs
- Real-time applications (chat, collaboration, gaming)
- Small to medium apps (< 100K users)
- Startups needing fast time-to-market
- Consumer-facing apps without strict compliance needs
- Teams without cloud expertise
- Projects with limited budget initially
Migration Considerations
If you're considering migrating from one platform to another, here's what you need to know:
Firebase to AWS Amplify Migration
Difficulty: Moderate to High
Timeline: 2-6 months depending on app complexity
Key Challenges:
- Authentication: Migrate user accounts (export/import)
- Database: Firestore to DynamoDB data transformation
- Real-time: Rewrite real-time logic for AppSync
- Storage: Transfer files from Firebase Storage to S3
- Functions: Rewrite Cloud Functions as Lambda
Recommendation: Plan for gradual migration, starting with new features on AWS while maintaining Firebase for existing functionality.
Real-World Cost Examples
Scenario 1: Social Media App (50K MAUs)
| Cost Component | Firebase | AWS Amplify |
|---|---|---|
| Authentication | $0 (free tier) | $0 (free tier) |
| Database (10M reads, 2M writes/month) | $420 | $280 |
| Storage (100GB, 500GB transfer) | $63 | $48 |
| Hosting | $25 | $30 |
| Total Monthly Cost | $508 | $358 |
Scenario 2: E-commerce App (200K MAUs)
| Cost Component | Firebase | AWS Amplify |
|---|---|---|
| Authentication | $120 | $825 |
| Database (50M reads, 10M writes/month) | $2,100 | $1,200 |
| Storage (500GB, 2TB transfer) | $253 | $195 |
| Hosting/CDN | $300 | $250 |
| Total Monthly Cost | $2,773 | $2,470 |
Cost Analysis Takeaway
At scale, AWS Amplify's pricing model becomes more predictable and often cheaper. However, Firebase's simplicity can save significant development time and costs, especially for smaller teams.
Final Verdict
There's no universal "better" choice between AWS Amplify and Firebaseāit depends entirely on your specific needs, team expertise, and project requirements.
AWS Amplify Wins For:
- Enterprise applications
- Compliance requirements
- Complex architectures
- High-scale applications
- AWS ecosystem integration
- Long-term cost optimization
Firebase Wins For:
- Rapid development
- Real-time features
- Small to medium apps
- Startups and MVPs
- Teams without cloud expertise
- Lower initial costs
Common FAQ Highlights:
1. Which is cheaper: AWS Amplify or Firebase?
Firebase is generally cheaper for small apps with its generous free tier. AWS Amplify becomes more cost-effective at scale, especially for apps with predictable traffic patterns and enterprise requirements.
2. Is AWS Amplify easier to use than Firebase?
Firebase is considered easier for beginners with simpler setup and documentation. AWS Amplify has a steeper learning curve but offers more flexibility and control for complex applications.
3. Can I migrate from Firebase to AWS Amplify?
Yes, migration is possible but requires planning. You'll need to migrate authentication, database, storage, and hosting separately. AWS provides migration tools and documentation to help with the process.
4. Which platform scales better for enterprise apps?
AWS Amplify scales better for enterprise applications due to AWS's infrastructure, compliance certifications, and integration with other AWS services. Firebase is excellent for consumer apps but may have limitations at enterprise scale.
5. Does AWS Amplify support real-time data like Firebase?
Yes, AWS Amplify supports real-time data through AWS AppSync with GraphQL subscriptions. While Firebase's Realtime Database is simpler, AppSync offers more control and flexibility for complex real-time requirements.
Build Your Scalable Mobile App
Whether you choose the rapid velocity of Firebase or the enterprise depth of AWS Amplify, our certified cloud team ensures your backend is secure, performant, and future-proof.
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