RethinkDB vs Firebase Firestore: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between RethinkDB and Firebase Firestore comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
Bottom line: Firebase Firestore is our overall pick for data & databases workflows. Pick RethinkDB if you need a fully free option.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
RethinkDB
Real-time database for modern apps
Best for you if:
- • You need something completely free
- • RethinkDB is a real-time document database with push-based architecture
- • It pushes changes to applications in real-time for live updates
Firebase Firestore
Flexible, scalable NoSQL cloud database
Best for you if:
- • Firebase Firestore is a NoSQL document database for mobile and web applications
- • It provides real-time sync, offline support, and scales automatically with your users
| At a Glance |  RethinkDB |  Firebase Firestore |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | Data & Databases | Data & Databases |
Rating | 3.6/5 | 4.6/5 |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose RethinkDB or Firebase Firestore?
Choose RethinkDB if
Real-time database for modern apps
- Real-time database
- Good for live updates
- Open source
- You want a fully free tool (Firebase Firestore requires payment)
Choose Firebase Firestore if
Flexible, scalable NoSQL cloud database
- NoSQL database
- Real-time sync
- Good for mobile
| Feature | RethinkDB | Firebase Firestore |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Freemium |
| User Rating | ★3.6/5 17 reviews | ★4.6/5 11 reviews |
| Categories | Data & DatabasesWebSocket Tools | Data & DatabasesCloud & Infrastructure |
In-Depth Analysis
RethinkDB
Real-time database for modern apps
RethinkDB's pricing is exceptionally generous, as it is entirely open-source and free.
Watch out
Infrastructure hosting costs
Strengths
- +Real-time database
- +Good for live updates
- +Open source
- +Good query language
- +Push architecture
Weaknesses
- -Less popular now
- -Company dissolved
- -Community smaller
- -Production concerns
- -Better alternatives exist
Key features
Firebase Firestore
Flexible, scalable NoSQL cloud database
Firebase Firestore offers a very generous free Spark tier, making it highly accessible for small projects and development.
Watch out
High read/write volume can escalate costs quickly.
Strengths
- +NoSQL database
- +Real-time sync
- +Good for mobile
- +Active development
- +Fair pricing
Weaknesses
- -Vendor lock-in
- -Complex pricing
- -Learning curve
- -NoSQL limitations
- -Google dependency
Key features
Pricing: RethinkDB vs Firebase Firestore
| Plan | RethinkDB | Firebase Firestore |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free Open Source | Free Spark (Free) |
| Tier 2 | N/A | Usage-based Blaze (Pay-as-you-go) |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on RethinkDB pricing and Firebase Firestore pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
RethinkDB is free. Firebase Firestore is freemium.
Go with: RethinkDB
Want the highest-rated option?
RethinkDB: 3.6/5 (17 reviews). Firebase Firestore: 4.6/5 (11 reviews).
Go with: Firebase Firestore
Value user reviews?
RethinkDB: 17 reviews (3.6/5). Firebase Firestore: 11 reviews (4.6/5).
Go with: RethinkDB
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
RethinkDB is free. Firebase Firestore is freemium. Go with RethinkDB if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Both are data & databases tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Firebase Firestore is rated higher: 4.6/5 vs 3.6/5.
Key Takeaways
Firebase Firestore
- Higher user rating: 4.6/5 vs 3.6/5
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
RethinkDB
- Completely free
- Larger review base (17 reviews)
The Bottom Line
Firebase Firestore is our pick. That said, RethinkDB is free, hard to beat on price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is RethinkDB or Firebase Firestore better?
Firebase Firestore is rated in our evaluation. RethinkDB is free and Firebase Firestore is freemium.
What are RethinkDB and Firebase Firestore used for?
RethinkDB: Real-time database for modern apps. Firebase Firestore: Flexible, scalable NoSQL cloud database.
What does RethinkDB cost vs Firebase Firestore?
RethinkDB is completely free. Firebase Firestore is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.