Does Firebird 3 embedded server have major disadvantages?

Are there major disadvantages using the embedded Firebird 3 in a multi-user application server (Delphi Webbroker) instead of the full blown server install?

The application usually has very short transactions with low data volume.

As far as I am informed accessing one database file with multiple threads through the embedded server is not problematic but user security is not available. As the application server does the rights stuff I do not need Firebird security.

But will I loose performance or things like garbage collection?

Solution

Firebird Embedded provides all the features (except network access and authentication) that a normal Firebird server provides. However, because it is in-process, any problems that cause your application to crash, will take Firebird with it and vice versa.

Other possible downsides:

Garbage collection will - as far as I know - always use the 'cooperative' model (where the connection to find old record versions, is the one that cleans it up),
You can't use other tools to access your database remotely which may make administration harder,
You can't put your database on a separate server from your web application (think of security requirements).

Personally, I would only choose Firebird Embedded if the situation calls for it. In all other situations, I will use Firebird Server.