What was it?
Original Firebase product. JSON tree database with real-time sync and offline support.
What happened?
Soft-deprecated in favor of Firestore. No new features since 2020. Docs actively steer users to Firestore. Still operational but neglected.
Migration Guide
Firestore (official successor), Supabase Realtime, or Convex for real-time needs.
Replacements compared
2 tracked replacements for Firebase Realtime Database, 2 of them with a free plan, cheapest paid from $0/mo.
Timeline & context
Firebase Realtime Database abandoned in January 2025, 1 year ago. It sat in the database category, where Soft.xyz tracks 3 discontinued products in total. If you are still running it in production, the migration path above is the shortest route off it.
FAQ
Why did Firebase Realtime Database shut down?
Soft-deprecated in favor of Firestore. No new features since 2020. Docs actively steer users to Firestore. Still operational but neglected.
What should I migrate Firebase Realtime Database to?
Supabase, Firebase cover the same use case. Firestore (official successor), Supabase Realtime, or Convex for real-time needs.
Is there a free alternative to Firebase Realtime Database?
Yes — 2 of 2 tracked alternatives still offer a free plan.