Why we chose Firebase for JustRed
Building a privacy-first email tracker requires a robust infrastructure. Here is why we bet on Firebase.
When we started building JustRed, we had a clear goal: to create a privacy-first, open-source alternative to the existing email tracking extensions. We wanted to give users control over their data without compromising on performance or reliability.
To achieve this, we needed a backend infrastructure that was scalable, secure, and cost-effective. After evaluating several options, including AWS, Vercel, and self-hosted solutions, we decided to go with Google Firebase.
Here is why.
1. The Price Factor
Let’s be honest: for an indie project or a startup, cost is a major deciding factor. We wanted to keep JustRed free and open source for as long as possible.
Firebase’s Spark Plan (free tier) is incredibly generous. It allows us to:
- Host our web assets via Firebase Hosting.
- Store user preferences and tracking data in Firestore.
- Authenticate users with Firebase Auth.
- Run backend logic with Cloud Functions.
All of this comes with generous limits that are more than enough for our current user base. Compared to spinning up EC2 instances on AWS or managing a complex Kubernetes cluster, Firebase allows us to focus on building features rather than managing infrastructure bills.
2. Seamless Integration with Google Ecosystem
JustRed is a Chrome Extension that lives inside Gmail. Our users are already in the Google ecosystem.
Firebase, being a Google product, offers best-in-class integration with other Google services.
- Authentication: Users can sign in with their existing Google accounts with a single click. No need to remember new passwords.
- Security: Firebase handles the complexity of secure authentication and data protection, which is critical when dealing with email tracking data.
- Performance: Firestore’s real-time capabilities mean that when an email is opened, the notification is delivered instantly.
3. Developer Experience
As a small team, we value speed. Firebase provides a unified SDK that handles everything from the database to the hosting. This “backend-as-a-service” model allowed us to prototype JustRed in days, not weeks.
We don’t have to worry about database migrations, server maintenance, or scaling issues. Firebase handles it all automatically.
Conclusion
Choosing Firebase was a strategic decision for JustRed. It aligns with our mission to provide a secure, reliable, and free tool for everyone. It allows us to leverage Google’s powerful infrastructure while keeping our costs near zero.
If you haven’t tried JustRed yet, give it a spin. It’s open source, privacy-first, and built on the solid foundation of Firebase.