Firebase vs Supabase vs Calljmp: Which Backend Is Best for Mobile Apps in 2025?
Compare Firebase, Supabase, and Calljmp to find out which backend gives me the easiest start, the least maintenance, and the most secure mobile experience.
Which one works best for you?
This article compares Firebase, Supabase, and Calljmp - three backend as a service (BaaS) platforms with distinct strengths. Firebase is great for fast setup and real-time sync but suffers from vendor lock-in and limited SQL. Supabase offers a Postgres-based, open-source backend with growing mobile and edge support. Calljmp is built mobile-first, with no API keys, instant deployment, and Cloudflare edge performance. All three platforms provide third-party integrations, but Calljmp stands out for mobile simplicity and built-in security.
| Feature | Firebase | Supabase | Calljmp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Target Audience | Web/mobile developers | Full-stack developers | Mobile app developers |
| Mobile SDKs | Full SDKs | Flutter (beta), JS | React Native, Flutter |
| Authentication | Firebase Auth | OAuth2, email/pass | Email/pass, Google, Apple + Attestation |
| Database | Firestore (NoSQL) | Postgres | SQLite-compatible (Cloudflare D1) |
| Realtime | Built-in with Firestore/Realtime DB; billed per listener & connection | Postgres triggers via WebSocket (limited filtering, billed separately) | Durable Objects + WebSockets + pub/sub; ultra-low latency, no cost for usage |
| Edge Deployment | No | Optional (Edge Functions) | Native (Cloudflare Workers) |
| Storage | Google Cloud Storage | S3-compatible | Cloudflare R2 (S3-compatible) |
| Security | Firebase Rules | RLS, JWT | Attestation (App Integrity) |
| Permission Controls | Rules-based | RLS | Role/tag-based + row-level |
| Pricing | Usage-based | Free + usage tiers | Free tier + $15 Pro plan |
| Migration Management | Manual | SQL-based | Auto migrations via CLI |
Target Audience
Mobile SDKs
Authentication
Database
Realtime
Edge Deployment
Storage
Security
Permission Controls
Pricing
Migration Management
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Authentication
User management and security features
Firebase
Firebase Auth supports multiple sign-in methods with strong integration into Google's platform. It's robust but often leads to vendor lock-in and limited extensibility. Supabase and Firebase also include additional third-party integrations.
Supabase
Supabase uses JWTs, email/password, and OAuth with Postgres RLS policies, providing good flexibility and control for full-stack apps. These services are ideal for both mobile and web application development.
Calljmp
Calljmp eliminates API key risks by using attestation (Android Play Integrity and iOS App Attestation), verifying app authenticity before issuing tokens. For security-conscious mobile apps, Calljmp's keyless, attestation-based model offers a unique level of protection. These services are ideal for both mobile and web application development.
Database
Data storage and management
Firebase
Firebase uses Firestore, a proprietary NoSQL database that doesn't support standard SQL. You can't run joins, complex queries, or use traditional relational logic - which makes it harder to model structured data or migrate to other systems later.
Supabase
Supabase offers a full Postgres experience, giving developers SQL access, joins, and advanced querying. It's powerful for structured apps like dashboards and B2B tools. These services are ideal for both mobile and web application development.
Calljmp
Calljmp is built on Cloudflare D1 - a globally distributed, SQLite-compatible database - ideal for mobile apps needing fast queries, clear schemas, and strong security. These services are ideal for both mobile and web application development. Calljmp strikes the right balance between performance, structure, and simplicity - especially for mobile-first teams that want relational power without overhead.
Realtime
Live data updates and event-driven communication
Firebase
Firebase delivers built-in real-time sync via Firestore and Realtime Database. Developers can use client listeners for instant updates with minimal backend configuration, but pricing increases with message volume and concurrent connections.
Supabase
Supabase supports real-time subscriptions over WebSockets via Postgres replication. It's effective for simple table-based events, but you pay for bandwidth and database usage as connections scale.
Calljmp
Calljmp uses Cloudflare Durable Objects with WebSocket support, paired with a custom lightweight pub/sub protocol running on edge Workers. You get secure, low-latency real-time features - with no charge for outgoing messages or concurrent WebSocket connections, making it ideal for presence, chat, and live dashboards at scale.
File Storage
File management and access control
Firebase
Firebase integrates with Google Cloud Storage, offering scalable file storage with role-based rules, but it's separate from the rest of the system.
Supabase
Supabase connects S3-compatible storage to database-level policies, making it more cohesive but requiring manual rule management.
Calljmp
Calljmp runs storage on Cloudflare R2, integrated with the same role system used across its backend, enabling secure, unified file access from mobile apps. These services are ideal for both mobile and web application development. If you want performance, simplicity, and role-consistent access - Calljmp's approach stands out.
Cloud & Edge Functions
Serverless computing capabilities
Firebase
Firebase Functions support serverless logic but run from centralized regions, adding latency for global apps. These services are ideal for both mobile and web application development.
Supabase
Supabase Edge Functions use Deno isolates, with growing support for lightweight edge logic, though tooling remains in early stages.
Calljmp
Calljmp runs backend logic on Cloudflare Workers - giving global edge compute, instant deploys, and native access to storage, DB, and auth. For latency-sensitive mobile use, Calljmp offers the fastest edge-native option with the cleanest mobile integration.
CLI & Local Dev Support
Development workflow and tooling
Firebase
Firebase provides CLI tools for deploying apps, but local emulation can be limited or require Google Cloud tools. The CLI streamlines backend configuration and code deployment. These services are ideal for both mobile and web application development.
Supabase
Supabase supports local Postgres and project emulation via CLI. It's functional but requires more DevOps familiarity. The CLI streamlines backend configuration and code deployment.
Calljmp
Calljmp uses a mobile-first CLI that handles everything from schema generation to local dev and edge deployments - all in seconds. The CLI streamlines backend configuration and code deployment. If you want to skip manual setups and focus on building, Calljmp offers the smoothest experience for mobile-first workflows.
Pricing
Cost structure and value proposition
Firebase
Firebase is easy to start with, but quickly becomes expensive at scale. You're billed for every Firestore read/write, function call, and outgoing message - including real-time listeners and WebSocket connections. Costs are hard to predict, vary by region, and vendor lock-in makes migration complex.
Supabase
Supabase includes a decent free tier, but costs rise sharply with database size, row count, bandwidth, and WebSocket usage. Real-time and edge functions are metered separately, and self-hosting adds DevOps overhead. Scaling often requires higher-tier plans or managing your own infrastructure.
Calljmp
Calljmp keeps pricing simple. The $15/month Pro plan includes generous usage limits, with low-cost overages for storage, DB operations, and edge functions. Real-time features - including unlimited WebSocket connections and outgoing messages - are always free. No servers to manage, no hidden fees, and full control through CLI.
Evaluating platforms: a closer look
Detailed analysis of each platform's strengths, weaknesses, and ideal use cases to help you make the right choice.
Firebase
Google's backend platform with Firestore NoSQL database
Best for
Fast setup using Google tools and need real-time sync out of the box
Strengths
- Fast setup and real-time sync with minimal backend configuration
- Strong integration into Google's platform ecosystem
- Built-in real-time sync via Firestore and Realtime Database
- Robust authentication with multiple sign-in methods
Considerations
- Vendor lock-in with Google's proprietary technology
- Limited SQL support - no joins or complex queries
- Costs grow unpredictably with usage
- Harder to migrate to other systems later
Supabase
Open source Firebase alternative with PostgreSQL
Best for
SQL needs, data-heavy apps, open-source flexibility
Strengths
- Full Postgres experience with SQL access, joins, and advanced querying
- Powerful for structured apps like dashboards and B2B tools
- Uses JWTs, email/password, and OAuth with Postgres RLS policies
- S3-compatible storage connected to database-level policies
Considerations
- Costs rise sharply with database size, row count, bandwidth, and WebSocket usage
- Real-time and edge functions are metered separately
- Self-hosting adds DevOps overhead
- Scaling often requires higher-tier plans or managing your own infrastructure
Calljmp
Mobile-first backend built on Cloudflare's edge network
Best for
Mobile-first apps built with React Native or Flutter
Strengths
- Edge-native speed, attestation-based security, CLI-powered development
- Predictable pricing with generous real-time capabilities
- No cost for WebSocket connections or outgoing messages
- No servers or DevOps overhead to manage
Considerations
- Newer platform with growing ecosystem
- No GraphQL support yet
What makes Calljmp different
Calljmp is the only platform designed specifically for mobile developers. While Firebase and Supabase are powerful general-purpose tools, Calljmp gives you features that are purpose-built for mobile apps — not just adapted from the web.
Mobile Attestation Security
Calljmp verifies every mobile client using Play Integrity and App Attestation, eliminating credential leaks and protecting your APIs by default. These services are ideal for both mobile and web application development.
Cloudflare Edge Infrastructure
Every function, file, and query runs at the edge via Cloudflare, giving your app global speed with zero cold starts or regions to configure. These services are ideal for both mobile and web application development.
Developer-First CLI
You can set up your full backend, generate schemas, deploy edge services, and push updates using one CLI — in minutes. As a backend as a service (BaaS), each provider takes a different approach to hosting and scalability. The CLI streamlines backend configuration and code deployment. These services are ideal for both mobile and web application development.
Real-Time Messaging
Calljmp's real-time system is built on Cloudflare Durable Objects with WebSocket support and a lightweight pub/sub protocol. It offers secure, ultra-low-latency messaging ideal for presence, chat, and live dashboards — with no charges for outgoing messages or concurrent WebSocket connections
Built for Mobile Teams
From SDKs to analytics to permission logic, every part of Calljmp is optimized for mobile app teams shipping fast and scaling securely
Pricing
Calljmp’s usage-based pricing has no hidden costs, with backups and real-time features included by default. It auto-scales on Cloudflare’s edge for maximum speed and efficiency.
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Frequently asked questions
Find answers to common questions about choosing between these backend platforms.