Rownd vs. Firebase: Advanced Authentication for Growing Teams

Introduction:
Firebase is a popular platform for startups and mobile-first applications, offering a suite of tools to quickly spin up projects. However, as businesses grow and user expectations evolve, Firebase’s limitations in customization, authentication methods, and scalability become apparent. Rownd offers a modern alternative, providing advanced authentication options, a no-code platform for iteration, and better tools for scaling with your users. This detailed comparison highlights why Rownd is the preferred choice for growing teams.

1. Authentication Features
Firebase focuses on basic authentication methods such as passwords and OAuth logins, which can work well for small or early-stage apps. However, its lack of advanced options, like biometrics, passkeys, or magic links, makes it difficult to meet the expectations of modern users.

Rownd, on the other hand, delivers a broad range of authentication methods out of the box. With Rownd, you can offer your users passwordless login options, native biometrics, and advanced security protocols like FIDO2. These options not only improve user experience but also reduce friction during sign-up and login.

2. Customization & Iteration
Firebase requires significant developer effort for any updates or customizations. Developers need to write and test new code for even minor changes, slowing down the iteration process and making it difficult for product teams to quickly adapt.

Rownd eliminates these bottlenecks by providing a self-service platform that empowers non-developers to customize and iterate on sign-in flows in real-time. Whether you need to change authentication methods, update branding, or experiment with new user flows, Rownd’s no-code approach makes it simple and fast.

3. Onboarding & Conversion
Firebase treats onboarding as a binary process: users are either fully onboarded or not. This static approach limits opportunities to nurture users and encourage them to complete their profiles over time.

Rownd takes a progressive approach, creating instant users and using self-service tools to gradually onboard them as they explore your app’s value. This method has been proven to drive 2x–10x higher conversion rates compared to static onboarding flows. For example, Stardust achieved a 52% improvement in conversions after switching to Rownd.

4. User Profiles & Data Gathering
Firebase does not offer built-in tools for self-service profiles or progressive data gathering, leaving teams to develop these features from scratch. This can add significant development time and cost.

Rownd provides fully functional user profiles that are ready to use. With Rownd, users can manage their authentication methods, update personal data, and even delete their accounts—all through a seamless, branded interface. Automations within the platform make it easy to gather and enrich user data over time, helping you build deeper connections with your users.

5. Pricing
Firebase is part of Google’s larger ecosystem and offers a free tier to get started, which can be appealing for small projects. However, as your app scales, Firebase’s costs can quickly add up, especially when you factor in the developer hours needed to maintain and iterate on your authentication flows.

Rownd provides straightforward, scalable pricing that grows with your business. Most customers see a return on investment within two months due to Rownd’s ability to significantly increase user conversions and streamline development efforts.

6. Migration from Firebase to Rownd
Switching from Firebase to Rownd is a seamless process. Rownd offers step-by-step guidance to help you migrate user data, implement Rownd’s SDKs, and keep users signed in throughout the transition. With Rownd’s expert support, you can make the switch with confidence.

Conclusion:
Firebase may work well for early-stage apps, but Rownd’s advanced features, flexibility, and scalability make it the better choice for teams focused on growth. Whether you’re looking to improve user experience, reduce development effort, or increase conversion rates, Rownd provides the tools you need to succeed.

Ready to migrate?
Learn more about switching from Firebase to Rownd by visiting our Migration Documentation.