The Firebase console shows analytics, crashes and usage, but not a dashboard of your business data: orders placed, users by plan, support tickets waiting. Firestore and Realtime Database are not SQL databases, so most BI tools cannot query them directly. That narrows the options to tools with a native connector or a pipeline through BigQuery.
Below are seven Firebase dashboard tools, with the point where each one stops. For building full apps, see the best Firebase frontend builders.
The seven tools at a glance
| Tool | Reads Firebase | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Jet Admin | Directly | Free plan; paid tiers |
| Firebase console | Built in (analytics, usage) | Included |
| Looker Studio | Via BigQuery | Free |
| BigQuery export + any BI tool | Via export | BigQuery costs |
| Metabase | Via BigQuery | Free self-hosted; paid cloud |
| Retool | Directly | Free tier; paid per user |
| Grafana | Via plugins or BigQuery | Open source; paid cloud |
Live dashboards on Firebase data
1. Jet Admin
Jet Admin connects to Firebase and Firestore directly and builds dashboards with charts, KPIs and tables next to the screens where people act: look up a user, fix a record, approve a request. You describe the app and Jet generates it, then refine it visually or in code. Data stays in Firebase, with no export pipeline.
People sign in without console access and see only what their role allows. Granular permissions, SSO and audit logs are on the Business plan and above; unlimited users are on every plan, including Free.
Where it stops: heavy aggregations over millions of documents are better done in BigQuery.
2. Retool
Retool connects to Firestore, and developers build dashboards with components and JavaScript.
Where it stops: developer-built, with per-user pricing.
3. Firebase console
The console shows Analytics, Crashlytics, performance and usage data.
Where it stops: it does not chart your Firestore documents, and access is project-wide.
Dashboards through BigQuery
4. BigQuery export plus a BI tool
The Stream Firestore to BigQuery extension and Analytics export put Firebase data in BigQuery, where any BI tool can reach it.
Where it stops: another pipeline to maintain, and BigQuery costs.
5. Looker Studio
Looker Studio charts Firebase data for free once it is in BigQuery.
Where it stops: needs the export first, and reports are read-only.
6. Metabase
Metabase gives self-serve questions on the BigQuery copy of Firebase data.
Where it stops: the same export dependency.
7. Grafana
Grafana can chart Firebase data through BigQuery or community plugins.
Where it stops: for engineers, not business users.
Which to use
- Teams need live Firebase dashboards they can act on, without console access: Jet Admin.
- Developers will build it: Retool.
- You need app analytics and crashes: Firebase console.
- You need heavy analysis on large data: BigQuery export with Looker Studio or Metabase.
Frequently asked questions
Can Looker Studio connect to Firestore directly?
Not natively. Most setups export Firestore to BigQuery first or use a third-party connector.
Do Firestore dashboards cost money in reads?
Yes. Every document read counts, so aggregate queries or summary documents keep dashboard costs down.
Chart Firebase without a pipeline
Connect Firebase to Jet Admin and build a dashboard.