About Backendless
Backendless is a commercial backend-as-a-service that combines a managed database, user and role management, file storage and ready-made APIs in one console. It is designed so that mobile and web developers can build the server side of an app largely through a visual interface instead of hand-writing every endpoint.
The platform includes visual tools for defining business logic and app screens, along with SDKs for common platforms, and supports custom code for cases where the visual tools are not enough. It offers a hosted cloud service and also a self-managed edition for teams that need to run it on their own infrastructure. It suits startups and citizen developers who want to move fast with limited backend resources.
Key features
- Managed database with a data browser
- User registration, login and role management
- Visual logic builder for backend workflows
- Auto-generated REST APIs and SDKs
- File storage and messaging services
Good fit for
- →Low-code backends for mobile apps
- →Prototyping product ideas quickly
- Tags
- backend-as-a-service
- low-code
- no-code
- database
- user-management
- mobile-backend
- api
Backendless: questions and answers
- What is Backendless used for?
- Backendless is a low-code backend platform combining a managed database, user accounts and generated APIs, aimed at app builders who would rather not write server code. It is a good fit for low-code backends for mobile apps and prototyping product ideas quickly.
- Is Backendless free?
- Yes. Backendless has a free plan.
- Is Backendless open source?
- No. Backendless is proprietary (closed-source) software. Open-source alternatives to Backendless include Supabase, Appwrite and Space Cloud.
- Can I self-host Backendless?
- Yes. Although Backendless is closed source, it can be self-hosted on your own servers, and the vendor also offers a hosted version.
- What are some alternatives to Backendless?
- Backendless competes with Xano, Firebase and Back4App. For open-source options, see Enlisted's ranked list of open-source Backendless alternatives.
Open-source alternatives to Backendless
See all
Supabase
Backend as a Service
The Postgres development platform. Supabase gives you a dedicated Postgres database to bui
Apache-2.0vs Firebase★ 111k
Appwrite
Backend as a Service
Appwrite is an open-source developer platform with Auth, Databases, Storage, Functions, Me
BSD-3-Clausevs Firebase★ 58k
Space Cloud
Backend as a Service
Open source Firebase + Heroku to develop, scale and secure serverless apps on Kubernetes
Apache-2.0vs Firebase★ 4k
Parse Server
Backend as a Service
Parse Server for Node.js / Express
Apache-2.0vs Firebase★ 21k
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
SaaS alternatives to Backendless
See all
Xano
Backend as a Service
No-code backend builder with a database, API editor and business logic
SaaS
Firebase
Backend as a Service
Firebase is Google's mobile and web app development platform, bundling authentication, databases, hosting, messaging and analytics as a managed backend.
SaaS
Back4App
Backend as a Service
Hosted backend built on Parse Server with a database, auth and cloud functions
SaaS
Zoho Catalyst
Backend as a Service
Zoho serverless platform with a database, functions, storage and auth
SaaS
Huawei AppGallery Connect
Backend as a Service
Huawei backend services suite for auth, storage, cloud functions and push
SaaS
Apple CloudKit
Backend as a Service
Apple iCloud-backed database and storage service for iOS and macOS apps
SaaS

