n8n + Firebase: NoSQL, Realtime Database, and Cloud Functions for Dynamic Apps

After reviewing Supabase and its PostgreSQL-based architecture, let’s turn to another powerful BaaS platform — Firebase by Google. Firebase takes a completely different approach: NoSQL, real-time data sync, and deep integration with the Google Cloud ecosystem.

If your app needs real-time updates, schema flexibility, and strong mobile support, the Firebase + n8n combo might become your key automation tool.

What Is Firebase?

Firebase is a Google-backed application development platform offering comprehensive BaaS services:

• Cloud Firestore — a modern, scalable NoSQL database.
• Realtime Database — a low-latency, JSON-based database.
• Authentication — user management (email, social login, phone).
• Cloud Functions — serverless functions triggered by events or HTTP.
• Cloud Storage — file storage, similar to Amazon S3.
• Firebase Hosting — hosting for static websites and SPAs.

Advantages of Firebase

• ⚡ Real-time updates — Firestore and Realtime DB push changes instantly to clients.
• 📱 Mobile-first SDKs — built-in support for Android, iOS, and Web.
• 🧩 Flexible NoSQL model — collections, documents, and nested data.
• ☁️ Google Cloud scalability — high reliability and global performance.
• 🔌 n8n integration — built-in Firebase and Firestore nodes.

Limitations and Drawbacks

• 🔒 Proprietary platform — closed-source, no self-hosting.
• 💰 Unpredictable pricing — can grow quickly under high usage.
• 🔄 No JOINs or relational logic — not suited for complex relationships.
• 📦 Vendor lock-in — tightly coupled to Google infrastructure.

Connecting Firebase to n8n

Integration Steps:

1. Create a Firebase project.
2. Generate a Service Account Key:
   • In the console: Project settings → Service accounts
   • Download the JSON credentials file.
3. Add credentials to n8n:
   • Create a new credential of type Firebase.
   • Paste the contents of the JSON file into the Credentials (JSON) field.

Available Nodes in n8n

🔧 Firebase (Realtime Database):

• Get — read data by path
• Set — write or replace data
• Update — partial update
• Remove — delete node

📄 Firestore (Cloud Firestore):

• Get — single document or collection
• Create — add new document
• Update — modify document
• Delete — remove document
• Query — filter, sort, limit

Example Automations with n8n + Firebase

1. ✅ Order status update from external event

• Goal: logistics service sends a webhook → update Firestore status
• Workflow: Webhook → Firestore (Update) → Slack / Email

2. 👤 Create user based on CRM lead

• Goal: Lead → Firebase user + Firestore record
• Workflow: CRM Node → Firebase (Create User) → Firestore (Create)

3. 📬 Notify when a Firestore document changes

• Goal: Send notification when a document is updated
• Solution:
  1. Cloud Function listens for document change
  2. Sends POST to n8n Webhook
  3. n8n → Firestore (Get) → Email / Slack

Unique Firebase Features for Automation

Conclusion

Firebase is a powerful ecosystem for building real-time apps. When combined with n8n, it opens the door to automating complex workflows — from user registration to data syncing and event-based notifications. No, you can’t self-host it, and it’s not built for relational queries, but its speed, scalability, and toolset more than make up for that in many use cases.

In the next article — Appwrite, an open-source Firebase alternative with full control and self-hosting options.