Firebase Authentication vs Onfido: Full Comparison (2026)
Pricing, features, scores, and a clear verdict on which one is right for you.
The bottom line
Firebase Authentication positions itself as "google-backed auth with generous free tier for mobile and web" while Onfido goes after "real identity at global scale" — so the right pick depends on which problem you're actually solving. They take different commercial approaches — Firebase Authentication uses a freemium approach and Onfido a enterprise-based model, which affects how costs scale as your team grows. Firebase Authentication lets you start for free, which means you can validate the fit before committing budget. Onfido requires a paid commitment upfront, so make sure it matches your workflow before signing.
At a glance
| Firebase Authentication | Onfido | |
|---|---|---|
| Our score | 76/100 | 79/100 |
| Starting price | Free | Free |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Best for | Google-backed auth with generous free tier for mobile and web | Real identity at global scale |
Pricing comparison

Firebase Authentication
Pricing verified 2026-04-16
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Feature comparison
core
| Feature | Firebase Authentication | Onfido |
|---|---|---|
| Email/password | Yes | No |
| Google OAuth | Yes | No |
| Apple OAuth | Yes | No |
| Phone SMS | Yes | No |
| Anonymous auth | Yes | No |
| ID document verification | No | Yes |
| Biometric verification | No | Yes |
| Liveness detection | No | Yes |
| 160+ countries | No | Yes |
| KYC workflows | No | Yes |
advanced
| Feature | Firebase Authentication | Onfido |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-tenancy | Blaze | No |
| SAML SSO | Blaze ($0.015/MAU) | No |
| Custom claims | Yes | No |
| App Check | Yes | No |
| Blocking functions | Yes | No |
| Atlas AI | No | Yes |
| AML screening | No | Yes |
| Fraud signals | No | Yes |
| Studio (no-code) | No | Yes |
| Real Identity Platform | No | Yes |
integrations
| Feature | Firebase Authentication | Onfido |
|---|---|---|
| Firebase (all products) | Yes | No |
| Google Cloud | Yes | No |
| Flutter | Yes | No |
| Android/iOS SDKs | Yes | No |
| Web SDK | Yes | No |
| Salesforce | No | Yes |
| Zendesk | No | Yes |
| Plaid | No | Yes |
| Stripe Identity | No | Yes |
| REST API | No | Yes |
Ratings breakdown
What the data tells us
Key capabilities you'd miss
Choosing Firebase Authentication means going without ID document verification, Biometric verification, Liveness detection (which Onfido offers). Choosing Onfido means losing Email/password, Google OAuth, Apple OAuth. These are the features that typically drive the final decision — check whether your workflow depends on any of them before committing.
What company size tells you
Onfido (501-1000 employees) has the engineering bench to ship features across many fronts but may iterate slower on individual requests. Firebase Authentication (100,000+ employees) typically ships faster on its core product but may lag on peripheral features. Consider which matters more for your roadmap.
Choose Firebase Authentication if...
- You want a free tier to get started
- You value an intuitive, easy-to-use interface
- Getting strong value for money is a priority
Choose Onfido if...
- You're ready to invest from $null/mo
- You value powerful features over simplicity
- You need enterprise-grade capabilities
Frequently asked questions
Is Firebase Authentication or Onfido better?
Onfido scores 79/100 compared to Firebase Authentication's 76/100 on VendorVS. However, the best choice depends on your needs — Firebase Authentication excels at ease of use (8/10) while Onfido scores 7/10.
How much does Firebase Authentication cost compared to Onfido?
Firebase Authentication starts at free (free tier available). Onfido starts at free. Firebase Authentication is the more affordable option.
Does Firebase Authentication or Onfido have a free plan?
Firebase Authentication offers a free tier. Onfido does not — its cheapest plan starts at $null/mo.
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