Firebase Analytics vs AppMetrica vs Amplitude: Choosing App Analytics
Practice4 minInnovialabs editorial team
In short
Firebase Analytics is a free baseline, especially if you already use Google's ecosystem; AppMetrica is a free option popular in the CIS with built-in attribution; Amplitude is the strongest product analytics tool but becomes paid as you grow. Write an event plan first, then pick the tool.
The short answer
- Firebase Analytics (Google Analytics for Firebase) — free, set up in an hour, connected to Crashlytics, Remote Config, A/B Testing and Google Ads. A solid default.
- AppMetrica by Yandex — free, with built-in install attribution, push campaigns and crash reports, and a Russian-language interface. Popular in the CIS.
- Amplitude — dedicated product analytics: flexible funnels, behavioral cohorts, user journeys. It has a free plan with limits, then paid plans based on data volume.
Many teams run two tools at once: for example, Firebase for the technical baseline and AppMetrica or Amplitude for marketing and product work.
Comparison on the key criteria
| Criterion | Firebase Analytics | AppMetrica | Amplitude |
|---|---|---|---|
| Event tracking | Automatic + custom events | Automatic + custom events | Custom events, flexible properties |
| Funnels | Yes, via GA4 reports | Yes | A core strength, flexible conditions |
| Cohorts and retention | Basic | Yes | Behavioral cohorts, deep analysis |
| Pricing | Free | Free (core features) | Free plan with limits, then paid |
| Raw data export | BigQuery export | Logs API and exports | Warehouse exports and Export API |
| Install attribution | Via integrations and Google Ads | Built in | Via partners |
Limits and pricing change, so check each vendor's site before deciding.
What to weigh when choosing
- Who reads the data. Marketers need install sources and campaigns, product managers need funnels and retention, developers need crashes and stability.
- Raw data access. If you plan your own BI, check how events are exported: BigQuery for Firebase, Logs API for AppMetrica, warehouse integrations for Amplitude.
- Region and data requirements. Find out where data is stored and whether that fits your business requirements and the laws of the countries your users are in. Interface and support language matter too.
- Ecosystem. If you already use Firebase for push and Crashlytics, its analytics plugs in without extra SDKs.
- Growth. Amplitude's free limits are enough to start; estimate early how many events your audience will generate.
Event plan first, SDK second
The most common problem isn't the tool, it's chaotic events: click1, ButtonTap, buy_btn. Six months later nobody knows what they mean. Write a tracking plan before integrating.
1. Define the key questions. For example: where do users drop out of checkout? How many come back after a week?
2. Describe the funnel as a sequence of events.
| Event | When it fires | Parameters |
|---|---|---|
app_opened | App launch | source |
signup_completed | Successful sign-up | method |
product_viewed | Product page opened | product_id, category |
cart_item_added | Item added to cart | product_id, price |
checkout_completed | Order paid | order_value, currency |
3. Agree on naming rules. For instance object_action in snake_case, past-tense verbs, identical names on iOS and Android.
4. Separate events from user properties. Plan, language and city are user properties, not separate events.
5. Assign an owner. New events are added only through the plan document, or it goes stale fast.
Common mistakes
- Sending personal data — phone numbers, emails, names — to analytics. Most vendors explicitly forbid it.
- Logging every tap: lots of data, no answers.
- Different event names on iOS and Android.
- Not verifying events before release. Every tool has a debug mode — use it.
- Calling several SDKs directly all over the codebase. Build one wrapper that forwards each event to every connected service.