F
Firebase
Google's app platform with generous free tier for game backends
freemium Generous free tier (Spark plan), pay-as-you-go after Solo-dev friendly
Firebase provides a suite of backend services including realtime database, authentication, cloud functions, and hosting. Its free Spark plan is generous enough for indie games needing user auth, leaderboards, cloud saves, or basic analytics.
Highlights
- + Generous free tier covers most indie game needs
- + Realtime database ideal for leaderboards and cloud saves
- + Built-in authentication with social login providers
- + SDKs for Unity, C++, and web platforms
Limitations
- − Vendor lock-in with Google ecosystem
- − Costs can spike unexpectedly if game goes viral
- − NoSQL database model doesn't suit all use cases
Platforms
Web Mobile Windows macOS Linux