What is Userbase used for?

Userbase is an open-source toolkit for adding user accounts, an encrypted database and persistence to static sites using only a JavaScript SDK, hosted or self-hosted. It is a good fit for building a private web app without a backend and adding logins to a static site.

Yes. Userbase has a free plan, and paid plans start at $89 per year.

Is Userbase open source?

No. Userbase is proprietary (closed-source) software. In the Backend as a Service category, open-source options include Appwrite, Nhost and CloudBoost.

Can I self-host Userbase?

Yes. Although Userbase 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 Userbase?

Userbase competes with Firebase, Backendless and Back4App.

Userbase: features, pricing and alternatives

About Userbase

Userbase lets you build web apps from static JavaScript, HTML and CSS without writing a backend. A simple browser SDK handles sign up, login and logout, and a zero-management database sends data to the browser where queries run client-side, leaving nothing on a backend to manage. All database operations are end-to-end encrypted in the browser with keys controlled by the user, which is meant to protect personal data and ease GDPR compliance.

It is described as 100 percent open source under the MIT license, so you can host it yourself and keep it under your own control, or have the project run it for a fully serverless experience. Use cases named include building an app without backend code, getting secure authentication out of the box and storing user data securely.

The easiest start is a free admin account and the quickstart guide, with a pricing page for the hosted service, documentation and a FAQ. The code is on GitHub and the project's own website is also open source, with an announcements page for updates.

Key features

Browser SDK for signup, login and logout
Client-side database with no backend to manage
End-to-end encryption with user-controlled keys
Works with plain JavaScript, HTML and CSS
MIT-licensed open source code
Self-hosting or managed hosting

Good fit for

Building a private web app without a backend
Adding logins to a static site

Tags: authentication; static-sites; e2e-encryption; open-source; serverless; javascript; database; gdpr

Userbase: questions and answers

What is Userbase used for?: Userbase is an open-source toolkit for adding user accounts, an encrypted database and persistence to static sites using only a JavaScript SDK, hosted or self-hosted. It is a good fit for building a private web app without a backend and adding logins to a static site.
Is Userbase free?: Yes. Userbase has a free plan, and paid plans start at $89 per year.
Is Userbase open source?: No. Userbase is proprietary (closed-source) software. In the Backend as a Service category, open-source options include Appwrite, Nhost and CloudBoost.
Can I self-host Userbase?: Yes. Although Userbase 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 Userbase?: Userbase competes with Firebase, Backendless and Back4App.