81 tools · 34 open-source · 47 SaaS
The best backend-as-a-service tools. Ranked by real activity.
The top-ranked open-source backend-as-a-service tool on Enlisted is Supabase (111k GitHub stars), followed by PocketBase and Appwrite. Among SaaS products, other tools on Enlisted are most often compared with Firebase, Twilio and Vonage API.
Enlisted lists 81 backend-as-a-service tools: 34 open source and 47 SaaS. 32 of the open-source ones can be self-hosted on your own server or computer. The most common open-source licences here are Apache-2.0 (13 tools), MIT (11) and AGPL-3.0 (2). The open-source ones are most often listed as alternatives to Firebase, Xano and Backendless.
Last updated October 3, 2026 · ranked by GitHub stars, growth and recent commits
The top 48 of 81 backend-as-a-service tools
Supabase
Backend as a Service
The Postgres development platform. Supabase gives you a dedicated Postgres database to bui
Apache-2.0vs Firebase★ 111k
PocketBase
Backend as a Service
Open Source realtime backend in 1 file
MITvs Firebase★ 61k
Appwrite
Backend as a Service
Appwrite is an open-source developer platform with Auth, Databases, Storage, Functions, Me
BSD-3-Clausevs Firebase★ 58k
Novu
Backend as a Service
The open-source communication infrastructure for agents and products
OSSvs Knock★ 40k
Directus
CMS
The flexible backend for all your projects 🐰 Turn your DB into a headless CMS, admin pane
OSSvs Contentstack★ 38k
Hasura
Backend as a Service
Blazing fast, instant realtime GraphQL APIs on all your data with fine grained access cont
Apache-2.0vs AWS AppSync★ 32k
PostgREST
Backend as a Service
REST API for any Postgres database
MITvs Xano★ 28k
SpacetimeDB
Databases
Development at the speed of light
OSSvs PlayFab★ 25k
LiveKit
Backend as a Service
End-to-end realtime stack for connecting humans and AI
Apache-2.0vs Daily★ 21k
Parse Server
Backend as a Service
Parse Server for Node.js / Express
Apache-2.0vs Firebase★ 21k
OpenIM
Backend as a Service
IM Chat OpenClaw
Apache-2.0vs Sendbird★ 17k
Gotify
Backend as a Service
a simple server for sending and receiving messages
OSS★ 16k
Convex
Backend as a Service
The open-source reactive database for app developers
OSSvs Firebase★ 13k
Encore
Backend as a Service
The infrastructure platform for the intelligence era
MPL-2.0vs Zoho Catalyst★ 12k
Centrifugo
Backend as a Service
Centrifugo is an open-source real-time messaging server — a self-hosted alternative to Pub
Apache-2.0vs Pusher★ 11k
Nhost
Backend as a Service
The Open Source Firebase Alternative with GraphQL.
MITvs Firebase★ 9.3k
Fonoster
Backend as a Service
🚀 The open-source alternative to Twilio.
MITvs Twilio★ 8.1k
Deepstream.io
Backend as a Service
deepstream.io server
MITvs Pusher★ 7.2k
TrailBase
Backend as a Service
An open, sub-millisecond, single-executable Firebase alternative with type-safe APIs, buil
OSL-3.0vs Firebase★ 5.6k
Mercure
Backend as a Service
🪽 An open, easy, fast, reliable and battery-efficient solution for real-time communicatio
AGPL-3.0vs Pusher★ 5.3k
WuKongIM
Backend as a Service
More than just IM 不只是即时通讯(IM)
Apache-2.0vs Sendbird★ 5k
pREST
Backend as a Service
PostgreSQL ➕ REST, low-code, simplify and accelerate development, ⚡ instant, realtime, hig
MITvs Firebase★ 4.6k
JuggleIM
Backend as a Service
IM Chat, High-performance, scalable, self-hosted instant messaging server in Go — private
Apache-2.0vs Sendbird★ 3.5k
Medplum
Backend as a Service
Medplum is a healthcare platform that helps you quickly develop high-quality compliant app
Apache-2.0★ 2.7k
OpenVidu
Video Conferencing
OpenVidu Platform: self-hosted real-time video and audio for your apps, built on LiveKit a
Apache-2.0vs Daily★ 2.1k
PocketHost
Backend as a Service
Open source multitenant PocketBase server
MITvs Firebase★ 1.4k
Conduit Platform
Backend as a Service
Batteries-included backend that works with any stack.
MITvs Firebase★ 924
Para
Backend as a Service
Multitenant backend server for building web and mobile apps rapidly. The backend for busy
Apache-2.0vs Firebase★ 575
1Backend
Backend as a Service
Build AI (or any) apps with scalable microservices & microfrontends.
AGPL-3.0vs Firebase★ 2.3k
CloudBoost
Backend as a Service
Realtime JavaScript Backend.
Apache-2.0vs Firebase★ 1.5k
FastSchema
Backend as a Service
All-in-One Backend as a Service with Headless CMS Power
MITvs Firebase★ 575
Space Cloud
Backend as a Service
Open source Firebase + Heroku to develop, scale and secure serverless apps on Kubernetes
Apache-2.0vs Firebase★ 4k
Hook
Backend as a Service
A RESTful and extendable Backend as a Service that provides instant backend to develop sit
MITvs Firebase★ 771
BuildShip
Backend as a Service
Low-code Visual Backend Builder, powered by AI ✨ Create APIs, scheduled jobs, backend task
MITvs Xano★ 603
100ms
Backend as a Service
Video and audio SDK platform for adding live calls and streaming to apps
SaaS
Ably
Backend as a Service
Realtime messaging platform with pub/sub, presence and message history
SaaS
AccelByte
Backend as a Service
Game backend services for accounts, matchmaking, economy and live operations
SaaS
Agora
Backend as a Service
Real-time voice, video and streaming SDKs for apps
SaaS
Amazon GameLift
Hosting & PaaS
AWS service for hosting and scaling dedicated multiplayer game servers
SaaS
Apple CloudKit
Backend as a Service
Apple iCloud-backed database and storage service for iOS and macOS apps
SaaS
AWS Amplify
Hosting & PaaS
AWS service for hosting web apps and provisioning backends through a CI/CD workflow
SaaS
AWS AppSync
API Tools
Managed GraphQL and real-time API service on AWS
SaaS
Azure Communication Services
Backend as a Service
Microsoft cloud APIs for adding chat, voice, video and SMS to applications
SaaS
Back4App
Backend as a Service
Hosted backend built on Parse Server with a database, auth and cloud functions
SaaS
Backendless
Backend as a Service
Visual backend platform with a database, user management and API services
SaaS
Bandwidth
Backend as a Service
Communications API platform with voice, messaging and emergency calling on its own carrier network
SaaSBeamable
Backend as a Service
Live game backend platform for player accounts, inventory, leaderboards and live ops in Unity
SaaS
Bird
Email Marketing
Omnichannel messaging platform combining the former MessageBird and SparkPost
SaaS
Backend-as-a-service tools: questions
- What is the best open-source backend-as-a-service tool?
- Supabase is the top-ranked open-source backend-as-a-service tool on Enlisted, with 111k GitHub stars. It is followed by PocketBase, Appwrite and Novu.
- What are the best free backend-as-a-service tools?
- The top-ranked open-source backend-as-a-service tools with a standard licence are Supabase (Apache-2.0), PocketBase (MIT) and Appwrite (BSD-3-Clause), so their code is free to use. 29 of the 47 SaaS products here have a free plan, including Firebase, Agora and Backendless.
- Which backend-as-a-service tools can be self-hosted?
- 32 of the 34 open-source backend-as-a-service tools on Enlisted can be self-hosted on your own server or computer; the top-ranked are Supabase, PocketBase and Appwrite.
- How are these backend-as-a-service tools ranked?
- Open-source tools are ordered by a score built from GitHub stars, star growth over the last 30 days and how recently the code changed; 28 of the 34 had new commits or a release in the last 30 days. SaaS products have no public repository, so they get a fixed baseline score. GitHub data is refreshed daily, and nobody can pay to move up.