Who doesn’t love NoSQL databases? They are easy to use, flexible, and scalable. And when it comes to NoSQL, two names stand out: AWS DynamoDB and Google Cloud Firestore. Both are widely used, offer similar functionalities, and are cloud-based. But which one should you choose?
Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. In this blog post, we will do an unbiased comparison of AWS DynamoDB and Google Cloud Firestore.
Pricing
Pricing can be a deciding factor when it comes to cloud services. DynamoDB charges per provisioned throughput and stored data. On the other hand, Firestore charges per document reads, writes, and deletes.
In terms of pricing, Firestore is generally more affordable for small to medium workloads. However, if your application demands high throughput, DynamoDB may be cheaper.
Performance
This is where DynamoDB and Firestore differ a lot. DynamoDB has much better performance than Firestore. AWS claims DynamoDB can handle more than 10 trillion requests per day. Firestore, on the other hand, has a lower throughput limit--up to 10,000 requests/second.
Both services scale horizontally and manage data automatically, but DynamoDB performs better under heavy workloads.
Querying
When it comes to querying, Firestore shines. It offers more flexible querying options, including range, full-text, and geographical queries. DynamoDB has a more limited querying structure because of its hash-key partitioning.
Firestore also allows element querying within arrays, while DynamoDB does not. This makes Firestore a better option for complex queries.
Ease of Use
Both databases boast of user-friendliness, but DynamoDB has a steeper learning curve than Firestore. Its extensive list of features can make it challenging for beginners. Firestore, on the other hand, is easy to set up, and its dashboard is intuitive.
Integration
DynamoDB integrates well with other AWS services. You can configure triggers on database write operations to send data to services such as AWS Lambda, SQS, or SNS. On the other hand, Firestore integrates better with Google Cloud services. You can also use Firestore with AWS services via the API.
The Verdict
Both AWS DynamoDB and Google Cloud Firestore are robust NoSQL database services, each with its advantages and disadvantages. To make a choice, you need to determine which features are most important for your application.
If you need better performance for high write and read throughput or choose to integrate with other AWS services, DynamoDB is the best choice.
But if you prefer a more flexible querying system, lower pricing, seamless integration with other Google Cloud services, and easy setup, Firestore is the way to go.
In conclusion, both services are great but have their strengths and weaknesses. So, pick one based on your specific needs.