Android Backend Server

Hosting an Android application requires developers to have a robust and feature-rich backend. Today, most apps have powerful features that enable users to consume content, access advanced functionality, and shop with ease.

Offering the best experience is integral for any business. But what is a backend, and why is it important? Read on to gain an idea and discover the top 10 options for Android development.

What is a Backend? 

Backend refers to a website or application’s server-side, and every website has one. It is required by users for storing and organizing application or website data and vital for ensuring client-side integrity.

A backend is one of the most critical parts of an application but hidden from end-users. The average user does not need to access a website’s backend because they interact with the frontend.

Developers design the backend to make features and functionality available to users from the app frontend. Some of the critical functions that can be performed with a backend include API creation, system components management, building libraries, and more.

What is Cloud Hosting? 

Cloud hosting is a methodology that involves hosting websites and applications on cloud servers. It is different from conventional hosting as the online resources of business apps and websites are deployed across multiple servers.

In a cloud hosting setup, an app or website is hosted across a network of physical and virtual servers. As a result, users get more scalability and greater reliability from their applications and websites. 

Cloud-hosted websites and applications are deployed on a cloud network instead of a single server. Users are able to scale up their resources based on growing requirements in a cloud hosting setup.

Many users find this hosting to be affordable as they pay for only the resources being used. Most providers of cloud hosting services offer support for both NoSQL and SQL databases.

This type of setup gives users the option of automated solutions through mobile platform apps, web portals, and APIs.

Top 10 Backend Servers to Host an Android App

These are the best ten backend options to host an Android application.

Back4app

Back4App is one of the top backend services for mobile application development and deployment. This open-source backend is known for the usability and reliability it offers.

Back4App is a suitable choice for the development, deployment, and management of cross-platform applications. It is a top choice for mobile, web, and IoT application APIs. 

Back4App offers a powerful database that lets developers perform fast and easy app data updates and syncing. It gives them the option of using both GraphQL and REST APIs. Back4App’s live queries enable users to implement queries for real-time data storage and synchronization.

Scalable hosting from Back4App lets developers adjust hosting based on growing requirements.  

Firebase

Firebase is another popular backend offering used by businesses around the world today. It is an app development platform from Google with a vast array of features and functionalities.

Firebase performs data storage with JSON. It is one of the top backend choices for Android application development. Firebase comes with a secure NoSQL database called Cloud Firestore.

It is a useful tool for storing and syncing data for both server-side and client-side programming use-cases. Firebase also has several valuable and agile features like SSL protection, web app hosting, and one-click rollback.

It’s Real-time Data is a NoSQL offering for hassle-free storage and synchronization.

Digital Ocean

Digital Ocean is a cloud backend service for businesses and developers looking for reliable Infrastructure as service features. It is a preferred option for website and application hosting and is known for its usability. Users of Digital Ocean can access highly secure data centers.

Digital Ocean features a VPS offered to users in the form of units known as Droplets. The service’s users can perform swift and hassle-free application management using a doctl command line or web-based interface.

Large businesses prefer the reliable IaaS features of Digital Ocean across the globe. Users have the flexibility of choosing from different options of Droplet size, geographical location, and app data centers.

Linode

Linode is a cloud hosting company providing virtual private server-based cloud hosting options for Linux servers. It offers a great variety of tools to users for storage, computing, and networking tasks, along with a convenient marketplace feature.

Linode is a popular choice for cloud computing use cases. The company currently has multiple data centers globally for offering reliable services. Linode comes with multiple web hosting server choices for users to explore, along with comprehensive control over virtual web servers.

Users also have the option of opting for managed and dedicated options at affordable rates. The provider also offers its Load Balancers and Backup services for better application and data management results. 

Heroku

Heroku is a widely-popular platform as a service offering that facilitates easy deployment, scaling, and management of applications. It is a cloud platform offering support for multiple programming languages, including PHP, Ruby, Java, Python, Scala, Clojure, and Node.js. Heroku users rely on containers known as Dynos for running applications.

Heroku charges users every month based on the number of Dynos or virtual containers they use for applications. Heroku’s platform as a service offering and apps created through it are all deployed on Amazon Web Services.

It is known for the ease-of-use and reliability it offers to users. One of the key features of Heroku is Heroku DX, an application-driven delivery system for easy and fast development. Heroku OpEx is a feature that aids developers in fixing app errors and issues. 

AWS

Amazon Web Services or AWS is the cloud platform of Amazon and one of the leading infrastructure as a service platform today. The provider also offers PaaS and IaaS offerings that are useful for covering all the needs of businesses across industries. AWS comes with various powerful features that incorporate machine learning, analytics, and artificial intelligence.

AWS and its advanced features have set cloud computing standards that many other providers aim to meet. The AWS platform is a robust solution for running web servers and applications. The provider’s key features include CDN file delivery, highly secure file storage, managed database, and more.

Backendless

Backendless is a widely-used mobile BaaS service platform with a vast user base. It comes with several powerful features for facilitating faster development. Backendless is an open-source option that comes with cloud, dedicated, and managed servers, along with user APIs. 

Backendless comes with a database that provides SQL and NoSQL support. It features caching to let users improve the functionality and agility of their applications. Backendless also comes with centralized management for ensuring better efficiency and geolocation that helps users take advantage of location features.

Azure

Azure is a cloud computing platform with a portal to help users quickly access and manage Microsoft resources and cloud resources. It is a service that offers users secure data storage and can support a wide variety of app functions.

Developers prefer azure for its set of features and the level of usability it offers to them. Utilizing the Azure portal helps users gain easy access to the tools and features provided by the platform.

Vultr

Vultr offers its users secure SSD cloud servers that are based across the world. It provides users a full-fledged reliable hosting service ideal for handling development tasks efficiently.

Vultr users have access to a standardized platform and secure SSDs running on high-spec computers. They can choose data centers placed across 14 locations worldwide and get complete assurance of data security.

Vultr provides dedicated IP addresses to its users, which can also be customized depending on the requirements of users. This feature, powered by Intel cores, ensures peak reliability.

Vultr’s control panel is a customer-focused offering. Many of its key features can be made available instantly to ensure fast and hassle-free development and save time. 

Alibaba Cloud

Alibaba Cloud often referred to as Aliyun, is a cloud computing and backend solution from the globally-renowned Alibaba Group. It comes with a rich selection of cloud computing features that can be utilized for the company’s e-commerce offerings and web resources.

Alibaba Cloud gives its users the option of flexibly priced cloud services. It has several key features such as Data Storage, Relational Databases, Big-Data Processing, Elastic Computer, and Content Delivery Network.

ApsaraDB, the memory and disk-based storage option of Alibaba Cloud, is one of its popular features. It offers functionality like fast reading and writing and helps to preserve data persistence.

Backup and recovery are convenient with Alibaba Cloud as it creates recovery options that enable users to recover instances easily. With this feature, the chances of human error-related data loss are radically reduced.

Conclusion

The backend services mentioned above are all worth considering for Android development projects. Compare the features and functionality of each backend platform to make the right choice. 

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