What is Back4App used for?

Back4App is a hosted backend platform built on Parse Server that gives app developers a database, authentication and cloud functions without running servers. It is a good fit for launching a mobile app without writing a backend and moving a self-run Parse Server to managed hosting.

Is Back4App open source?

No. Back4App is proprietary (closed-source) software and can't be self-hosted. Open-source alternatives to Back4App include Supabase, Appwrite and Space Cloud.

What are some alternatives to Back4App?

Back4App competes with Firebase, Backendless and Xano. For open-source options, see Enlisted's ranked list of open-source Back4App alternatives.

Back4App: features, pricing and alternatives

About Back4App

Back4App is a commercial backend-as-a-service for web and mobile apps. It runs Parse Server, the open-source backend framework, on managed infrastructure so developers can store data, handle user accounts and run server-side code without setting up or maintaining their own servers.

Typical building blocks include a database with a visual dashboard, user authentication, file storage, cloud functions for custom logic and ready-made REST and GraphQL APIs. Because it is built on Parse, existing Parse SDKs for iOS, Android, JavaScript and other platforms can connect to it. It suits small teams and solo developers who want to ship an app quickly and avoid operating their own backend.

Key features

Hosted Parse Server backend
Database with a visual dashboard
User authentication and session handling
Cloud functions for custom server logic
REST and GraphQL APIs
SDKs for mobile and web platforms

Good fit for

→Launching a mobile app without writing a backend
→Moving a self-run Parse Server to managed hosting

Tags: backend-as-a-service; parse-server; mobile-backend; database; authentication; cloud-functions; api

Back4App: questions and answers

What is Back4App used for?: Back4App is a hosted backend platform built on Parse Server that gives app developers a database, authentication and cloud functions without running servers. It is a good fit for launching a mobile app without writing a backend and moving a self-run Parse Server to managed hosting.
Is Back4App free?: Yes. Back4App has a free plan.
Is Back4App open source?: No. Back4App is proprietary (closed-source) software and can't be self-hosted. Open-source alternatives to Back4App include Supabase, Appwrite and Space Cloud.
What are some alternatives to Back4App?: Back4App competes with Firebase, Backendless and Xano. For open-source options, see Enlisted's ranked list of open-source Back4App alternatives.