What is BaaS – Backend-as-a-Service?

What is BaaS – Backend-as-a-Service?
Backend as a Service BaaS or MBaaS

Backend-as-a-Service, commonly known as BaaS or mBaaS, is a platform that simplifies and automates the backend development process, while also managing the intricacies of cloud infrastructure.

If you’re tired of running and maintaining servers, Backend as a Service (BaaS) is the answer for your business. By outsourcing server responsibilities, you can devote all your time to the frontend or client-side development. That’s right – no more juggling multiple tasks at once!

But wait, there’s more! BaaS comes equipped with tools that can help you create backend code quickly. With its ready-to-use features like scalable databases, APIs, cloud code functions, social media integrations, file storage, and push notifications, you’ll be able to speed up the development process with ease.

The benefits don’t end there. Using BaaS means you can develop at lightning speed, cut engineering costs, and keep your focus on what matters most – your core business. It’s a no-brainer, really!

Want to learn more about cloud backend as a service? Don’t go anywhere! Keep reading to find out.

Frontend vs. Backend: What’s The Difference?

Backend vs Frontend

Before we dive into the world of software development, let’s make sure we’re on the same page about the differences between the frontend and backend.

  • Frontend: The frontend is the part of a software application that the user interacts with and sees. It’s what you see when you open up your favorite app or website – the colors, buttons, text, and images that make up the user interface (UI). The frontend is responsible for creating an engaging and intuitive experience for the user.
  • Backend: The backend is the part of the software application that the user does not see. This includes things like servers, databases, and APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) that work behind the scenes to support the frontend. The backend is responsible for processing data, managing requests, and ensuring that information is stored securely and efficiently.

To simplify it further, think of the frontend as the “face” of the application and the backend as the “brains.”

What are the features typically included in a backend as a service?

Are you curious about what features are typically included in a backend as a service? A backend as a service (BaaS) can provide your application with a multitude of features that can be deployed seamlessly.

  • Scalable backend (NoSQL or SQL)
  • User authentication
  • Social Integration (Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, etc.)
  • Email Verification
  • Geolocation
  • Database Graphical User Interface (GUI)
  • Logs
  • CDN and Cache
  • Infrastructure (Security settings, auto-scaling, data backup, DB optimization)

Let’s explore some of the most common features found in a BaaS:

Why should I use a backend as a service?

Using a BaaS platform can help you solve two important problems: managing and scaling your cloud infrastructure, as well as speeding up your backend development. 

There are numerous benefits to utilizing a BaaS cloud, which can be categorized into both business and technical aspects. Let’s dive into the details.

Benefits Of Using BaaS For Your Business

BaaS makes it easy to outsource your cloud management responsibilities, increase your productivity, and reduce your costs. For small to medium-sized businesses, these benefits can be particularly attractive.

  • Cost savings

Hiring a backend/infrastructure engineer can cost around $80k/year in the USA. By outsourcing part of the work to a third party, businesses can offset this cost.

  • Fewer developers needed

Using a BaaS can also reduce the number of backend developers needed for a project while still achieving the same results.

  • Faster Time to Market

Waiting several months to provide a software product can kill market opportunities or leave a business behind the competition. A BaaS provides an advantage in delivering faster time-to-market to a software project.

  • Outsource Cloud Infrastructure Management

Having to manage cloud infrastructure takes up precious time that could be used for developing features and bug fixes. By outsourcing a portion of the cloud infrastructure to a third party, businesses can focus on what matters most – creating value.

Case Study: Vantage BP

Meet VantageBP, the superhero SaaS company that helps brands fight against counterfeit products, identify sneaky resellers, and shut down unauthorized sales on over 100 online marketplaces.

But how do they do it? With the power of BaaS, of course! Using BaaS has allowed VantageBP to speed up its product launch, validate its MVP much faster, and eliminate the need for a DevOps engineer, saving them more than $500k. And the best part? Their infrastructure can scale up automatically without any worries about downtime or pesky DevOps issues.

In the words of Joren Winge, VantageBP’s CTO:

The nice thing is that I don’t have to worry about uptime, scalability, or DevOps issues. Joren Winge, VantageBP CTO

To know more about VantageBP’s use case, learn the article below:

How VantageBP saved $500K USD using a BaaS

The Food Cowbody Case Study

“Deciding on how to architect and develop the backend of an application is a difficult one for many startups.

Especially if it’s a new concept or idea without a proven market and customer base already established. In most cases, we recommend launching an MVP application on a solid BaaS (Backend as a Service) platform that offers scalability options and low upfront costs. One of our clients,

The Food Cowboy, saved over $200,000 in cloud and software development costs by launching the initial version of their platform on Parse. While it did limit some of the features they planned to offer; it provided a low maintenance environment for them to showcase their MVP to potential investors and customers.”

Technical Reasons To Use A BaaS

While there are many business-related benefits to using a BaaS, there are also technical advantages. These include simpler cloud infrastructure setups and scalability features that make it easy to scale without worrying about managing servers.

  • Focus on Frontend Development

With the use of a BaaS, frontend developers can focus on delivering excellent usability and user interface for your application. This is because backend tasks such as data storage and network management are taken care of, allowing developers to concentrate on what they do best.

  • Eliminates Redundant Stack Setup

A BaaS eliminates the need to set up a redundant stack and server architecture. This simplifies the development process for developers, reduces the cost of development, and speeds up the time-to-market.

  • No Need to Program Boilerplate Code

Programming repetitive activities and boilerplate code is a waste of time and money. With a BaaS, developers can use pre-built modules and APIs to handle common backend tasks, leaving them more time to focus on developing unique features.

  • Standardizes the Coding Environment

A BaaS provides a standardized coding environment, which ensures consistency in the development process. This makes it easier for new developers to join the team and understand the coding structure.

  • Enables Backend Developers to Program High-Value Lines of Code

By using a BaaS, backend developers can focus on programming high-value lines of code that are specific to your application. This will increase the efficiency of the development process and reduce time-to-market.

  • Provides Ready-to-Use Features

BaaS offers ready-to-use features like authentication, data storage, and search. This means that developers don’t have to spend time creating these features from scratch.

  • Lets You Clone Apps and Run Testing Environments

A BaaS allows you to clone apps and run testing environments. This is useful for testing different scenarios without affecting the production environment.

  • Focus on Coding Business Logic Rather than Boilerplate Code

Since the backend is taken care of by the BaaS, developers have more time to focus on the business logic of the application. This will improve the overall quality of the application and enhance user experience.

  • Provides Ready-to-Use Security Settings and Backup Procedures

Lastly, BaaS provides ready-to-use security settings and backup procedures, which ensures that your application is secure and data is always available. This reduces the risk of data loss and increases the reliability of the application.

Two4Tea Case Study

Two4Tea is a French mobile game development company that’s passionate about creating engaging games. Their most successful game, called Fight List, is a trivia game that’s been downloaded over 55 million times across the globe. With thousands of concurrent users playing Fight List in seven different languages, it’s safe to say that the game is a big hit.

However, Two4Tea needed to find a way to keep up with the growing number of users and ensure that the game remained fast and reliable. That’s where a BaaS (Backend-as-a-Service) platform came in handy. By using a BaaS platform, they were able to scale up from just a few users to thousands of concurrent users quickly and efficiently. This allowed them to keep the game running smoothly while also continuing to add new features and improvements over time.

Advantages and Disadvantages of a BaaS

Now that we’ve seen how a BaaS can benefit developers let’s take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of using this type of backend system.

Advantages of a Backend as a Service

Here are a few major advantages of using a Backend as a Service:

  • Lightning-fast development speed that helps you get your app to market quickly and efficiently.
  • Reduced development price since BaaS services eliminate the need for developers to spend extra time creating backend systems from scratch.
  • Serverless architecture that frees you from the hassle of managing infrastructure, allowing you to focus on building a great app.

Disadvantages of a Backend as a Service

As with any technology, there are some downsides to using a BaaS. Here are a few potential disadvantages:

  • Limited flexibility, compared to custom coding, can make it difficult to implement certain features that require more control over the backend infrastructure.
  • Reduced ability to customize the backend since BaaS services often provide pre-built APIs and configurations that may not meet all of your app’s needs.
  • Vendor lock-in for closed source platforms, which can limit your ability to switch providers or make changes to the code if the BaaS vendor goes out of business or changes its terms of service.

When to use a backend as a service?

Are you wondering about the best scenarios for using a backend as a service? Here are some use cases where BaaS can come in handy:

  • Developing a Minimum Viable Product (MVP): When building an MVP, the focus is on quickly creating a functional product that you can test with your target audience. Using a BaaS can help speed up development by providing pre-built backend features and services, allowing you to focus on building the front end.
  • Developing Stand-alone Apps with Few Integrations: If you need to develop a simple app that doesn’t require complex integrations, using a BaaS can be a cost-effective solution. By using a pre-built backend, you can avoid the time and expense of developing your own custom backend.
  • Enterprise Apps That Aren’t Mission-Critical: For enterprise apps that don’t require high levels of security or reliability, using a BaaS can be an efficient solution. It allows developers to focus on building business-specific features rather than managing infrastructure and maintenance.

Overall, using a BaaS can save time and resources, making it a smart choice for certain use cases.

Who should use a backend as a service?

A backend as a service (BaaS) platform is designed for app developers who want to speed up their development process and outsource low-value or repetitive tasks to a third party. It is best suited for frontend engineers with limited knowledge in backend development and backend engineers who want to streamline their development process. 

What Types Of Projects Can Run On A Backend As A Service?

While there are many types of projects that can benefit from using a BaaS, some common use cases include:

  • Real-time Communication Applications (like Slack)
  • Transportation Apps
  • Social Networking Apps
  • E-commerce Apps
  • Music or Video Streaming Apps
  • Games

1001 Dubai Case Study: How To Use A BaaS to Build A SaaS

Meet 1001 Dubai, a mobile commerce provider creating apps for supermarkets and convenience stores in the Middle East. With over 80,000 downloads and hundreds of clients, they distribute their app via the Software as a Service (SaaS) model.

To power their app’s backend architecture, they use a backend as a service. This means they don’t have a dedicated team to handle server operations as they’ve outsourced their entire infrastructure to a backend provider. Want to learn more? Check out the article below!

What Frontend Technologies Can A BaaS Support?

So, what frontend technologies can a BaaS support? Generally, most BaaS providers are able to support a wide range of web and mobile frameworks, such as:

  • Web development frameworks like React, Vue, and Angular
  • Mobile development technologies like iOS Native (Swift or Objective-C) and Android Native
  • Cross-platform frameworks like React Native, Xamarin, Flutter, Kotlin, Ionic, Unity

Backend as a Service vs. Cloud Providers: What’s The Difference?

Backend as a Service (BaaS) and Cloud Providers offer different services that cater to different needs. We’ll cover the definitions first to make these concepts easier to understand.

  • Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) provides the basic infrastructure such as servers, storage, networking, and virtualization. IaaS providers like AWS, Google Cloud, and Azure offer infrastructure resources that can be used to build and manage applications.

  • Platform as a Service (PaaS)

Platform as a Service (PaaS) provides a platform for developers to build, deploy, and manage their applications. PaaS providers like Heroku and Engine Yard offer a preconfigured environment that includes operating systems, web servers, and databases, making it easier to develop and deploy applications.

  • Backend as a Service (BaaS)

Backend as a Service (BaaS) is a type of cloud service that provides a complete backend solution for mobile and web applications. BaaS providers like Back4App, Parse, and Firebase offer features such as user authentication, push notifications, file storage, and database management. These services can save time and effort for developers who don’t want to spend time building their own backend infrastructure.

  • Mobile Backend as a Service (MBaaS)

Mobile Backend as a Service (MBaaS) is a type of BaaS that specifically caters to mobile app development. MBaaS providers offer services that are optimized for mobile devices, such as offline data synchronization, native SDKs, and mobile-specific analytics. MBaaS providers like Back4App, Parse, and Firebase offer pre-built backend services that can be easily integrated into mobile apps.

In summary, while IaaS and PaaS provide basic infrastructure and development platforms, respectively, BaaS and MBaaS offer pre-built backend services that can be used to quickly build and deploy applications.

IaaS vs PaaS vs BaaS Backend as a Service

BaaS vs. Custom Backend – What are the differences?

When building an app, you have two options: create a custom backend or use a BaaS framework. Here’s how they differ:

Custom Backend:

  • You build your backend from scratch and manage the infrastructure
  • Pros: provides flexibility and the customization options
  • Cons: higher development costs and longer time to market

BaaS (Backend as a Service):

  • Provides ready-to-use building blocks and code-generation tools
  • Pros: faster development process and reduced time to market
  • Cons: less flexibility and standardized architecture

Here are some examples to help illustrate the differences between custom coding and using a BaaS.

Example #1: Backend as a Service vs. AWS EC2 Instances

Imagine you want to build a new software project without using BaaS. Before you dive into developing the backend code, you need to set up the servers. Here are the steps:

  1. Log in to AWS or any other cloud.
  2. Go to Instances.
  3. Launch Instance.
  4. Select the Operating System, Instance Size, and Type.
  5. Configure Instance Details like the number of instances, Network, IP, Monitoring, and other settings like Auto Scaling, IAM, etc.
  6. Add Storage.
  7. Security Settings.

Now, your instance is up and running, but you still need to install the web server, database, framework, etc. Once that’s done, you can start coding. This process can take a few hours to more than a day for large environments, depending on the skills of the backend developers.

However, if you use a backend as a service, the same process will take just a few clicks and a few minutes to set up.

Example #2: BaaS vs. Custom Coding Login Features

Picture this: You’ve set up your server and are ready to start building your application’s first feature. Let’s say that feature is a social login with Facebook.

Now, if you outsource the development to an offshore company, it’ll cost you $25 per hour and take around 16 hours to complete – bringing the total cost to $400.

But, if you opt for a BaaS (Backend as a Service), you can get the same feature implemented in less than an hour. This means you’ll save 15 hours of development time and $375. That’s a pretty good deal for such a simple task!

Example 03 – GDPR security settings

GDPR privacy requirements are pretty complicated, and the The rules for GDPR privacy can be hard to understand, and it takes a lot of work to put them into action. This includes things like making sure data is secure when it’s being sent over the internet and encrypting data that’s stored on servers. Depending on how big and complicated the project is, it could take more than 100 hours to get everything done.

If you’re working on a small or medium-sized project, it might make sense to hire a backend as a service company to handle all of this. They can spread out the cost of making sure everything is GDPR compliant across many different apps, so it won’t cost as much for each individual app.

But if you’re working on just one project, all of the costs will fall on that project. Even if it’s successful, it could take a long time to make up the money spent on making sure it’s GDPR compliant.

What Is The Backend as a Service Market Size?

The industry of Backend as a Service (BaaS) is growing rapidly, with the market predicted to increase from $2 billion in 2020 to around $6 billion in 2025, resulting in a compound annual growth rate of 23.9%. This growth can be attributed to two main factors – the widespread use of mobile devices and BaaS’s ability to enhance mobile development productivity. Here is a list of the key players in this market.

Backend as a Service Providers

Here is a comprehensive list of BaaS providers in 2023. Keep reading and learn more about each of these companies.

Back4App

Back4App is a cloud-based platform that offers an array of features to help you build robust mobile and web applications. It sits as the top BaaS provider because of its wide range of features. Here are some of the features that Back4App offers:

  • Scalable Realtime Database (NoSQL or SQL)
  • APIs (REST or GraphQL)
  • Cloud Code Functions for business logic
  • Notifications
  • Cloud Storage (File Storage)
  • Authentication

Back4App is based on open-source technology, including Parse Server, NodeJS, and other open-source technologies. On top of the open-source technology, Back4App has added implementations that improve general performance and easy-to-use dashboards.

One of the most significant advantages of using Back4App is that you don’t have to worry about scaling. Back4App has a well-designed architecture that delivers high performance and reliability, even for large apps.

Back4App offers both free and paid plans. The free plan is ideal for development purposes, while paid plans start at $25/month and are suitable for production applications.

Advantages Of Using Back4App

  • Easy Data Management: With just a few lines of code, you can store important data like queries, locations, and pictures. Plus, you can manage, search, filter, and update your content using a user-friendly data browser on the web.
  • Simple to Use: The framework is easy to understand, and it won’t take you more than an hour to get started with small projects.
  • Flexible: As an open-source framework, Parse offers unmatched versatility. You can make changes to the source code and adapt it to your specific requirements.
  • Custom Code: Parse has a feature called Cloud Code that allows you to write custom code using JavaScript.
  • Multiplatform Support: Parse supports multiple platforms, including mobile, web, and IoT technologies. It offers Software Development Kits (SDKs) for almost every platform.
  • GraphQL Integration: Parse integrates with GraphQL, which helps you retrieve data in a single call and in a predictable manner.

Parse

Parse is an open-source framework supported by a large community of app developers. It has gained popularity with more than 35k stars and 16k forks on GitHub. The main goal of Parse is to provide developers with a way to create apps faster.

Features of Parse:

  • API server module for Node.JS
  • Dashboard to manage apps
  • SDK & Libraries
  • Adapters
  • Documentation
  • Spreadsheet like database
  • SSO for social networks
  • Push-Notifications
  • File Storage

Previously hosted by Facebook, Parse now requires self-hosting or specialized hosting services, such as AWS, Azure, or Digital Ocean. While the open-source framework itself is entirely free, hosting services can incur costs.

Advantages of Using Parse Framework:

  • Easy Data Management: With just a few lines of code, you can store important data like queries, locations, and pictures. Plus, you can manage, search, filter, and update your content using a user-friendly data browser on the web.
  • Simple to Use: The framework is easy to understand, and it won’t take you more than an hour to get started with small projects.
  • Flexible: As an open-source framework, Parse offers unmatched versatility. You can make changes to the source code and adapt it to your specific requirements.
  • Custom Code: Parse has a feature called Cloud Code that allows you to write custom code using JavaScript.
  • Multiplatform Support: Parse supports multiple platforms, including mobile, web, and IoT technologies. It offers Software Development Kits (SDKs) for almost every platform.
  • GraphQL Integration: Parse integrates with GraphQL, which helps you retrieve data in a single call and in a predictable manner.

Overall, Parse is a useful tool for app developers who want to create applications quickly. Its features, advantages, and multi-platform support make it a popular choice among app developers.

Firebase

Firebase is a widely popular mobile and web development platform that provides a backend service for developers to create applications quickly. This closed-source platform was acquired by Google in 2014, and since then, it has evolved tremendously.

Firebase offers an excellent set of features like analytics, real-time database, authentication, and hosting, making it one of the most comprehensive backend services available. There is a limited free tier available, which lets you try out Firebase’s services before committing to a paid plan. Paid plans run on a consumption base, which means you pay for what you use.

In 2016, Google started investing heavily in Firebase, and the strategy covers three main pillars: Development Features, App Quality, and Growth. The Development Features block includes tools to accelerate mobile app development and includes user authentication, storage, real-time database, machine learning, and cloud functions. Cloud Firestore lets you sync data across multiple devices, structure data with collections/documents, and sync online/offline data.

Firebase provides a comprehensive set of mobile analytics services that help you improve general app performance in the App Quality pillar. These services include performance monitoring, Google Analytics, crash reports, and a test laboratory to run automated tests.

The Growth pillar focuses on Firebase’s ability to integrate with Ad Mob, letting developers run in-app advertisements. The other growth tools provided by Firebase are A/B testing, messaging, and dynamic links.

Firebase has some great advantages, including:

  • Realtime database: You can create messaging apps like WhatsApp that update data across devices almost instantly.
  • Machine Learning: Firebase has a feature called ML that’s not available on other backends as a service platforms. It provides API with standard machine learning use cases like face recognition and text recognition.
  • Ad Mob: You can monetize your app by integrating it into a global ad network managed by Google.

Cloudkit

CloudKit is a super handy tool for developers who want to create engaging iOS applications with ease. This closed-source backend platform was brought to us by Apple in 2015 and has been a game changer ever since. One of the main reasons developers love it is because it comes with a native SDK for iOS, making it effortlessly easy to integrate with your app.

With CloudKit, developers can concentrate on client-side development without worrying about database, auth, or file storage services. It’s like having your own personal assistant!

While CloudKit may not have as many features compared to other services out there, it does offer essential iCloud identification authentication support and an API to streamline the process.

The best part about using CloudKit is that it offers the ultimate user experience, thanks to its native SDK for iOS. Native applications run smoothly on the iPhone operating system and provide complete access to the device’s functions. So, if you’re looking for an efficient way to develop high-performing, well-designed apps, CloudKit is definitely worth checking out.

Backendless

As one of the pioneers in the market, Backendless offers both online and local framework hosting options to suit your needs. Starting at just $25 per month, Backendless offers a free tier for online hosting, as well as paid plans for those who need more advanced features. But that’s not all – there are plenty of advantages to using Backendless as your go-to platform.

For starters, their visual programming UI builder allows you to create apps without needing to know how to code. Plus, with their standalone version, you can run the platform locally on your own server or in any cloud platform. And don’t forget about their handy cache feature, which is available with both standalone and cloud hosting options.

But perhaps the best part of using Backendless is their outstanding support. With 24/7 assistance available to users, you can rest easy knowing that help is always just a click or call away.

AWS Amplify

Looking to create scalable serverless applications that seamlessly integrate with multiple platforms? Look no further than AWS Amplify – the open-source library that works wonders with Amazon Web Services.

From Analytics to AR/VR, and storage to APIs, Amplify has got you covered. With a small free tier and a Pay as you Go option for production environments, Amplify offers flexibility to developers of all levels.

So why choose Amplify? Well, for starters, it boasts an easy-to-integrate Content Delivery Network (CDN) that deploys content globally via CloudFront. Plus, its GraphQL Transform feature makes the development process a breeze.

And let’s not forget about the Atomic Deployments feature, which ensures your app keeps running even if there’s a crash during the construction process. With Amplify, you can rest easy knowing your project is in good hands.

Azure Mobile App Service

Don’t overlook Microsoft in the world of backend-as-a-service solutions! They offer a top-of-the-line platform called Azure Mobile Apps that seamlessly integrates with Xaramim, a cross-platform frontend.

Using Azure Mobile Apps comes with a myriad of benefits, including enterprise-level security protocols that ensure your app is always safe and secure.

Additionally, this solution offers a convenient offline sync feature that automatically updates data even when you’re offline. Corporate sign-on is also a breeze with Azure Mobile Apps, thanks to their AD integrations.

Kii

Kii is a cloud-based platform that provides backend services for Internet of Things (IoT) and mobile applications. It offers a range of features including data management, analytics, push notifications, user management, and more.

Kii enables developers to create scalable and secure IoT and mobile applications quickly and easily, without having to worry about building and managing backend infrastructure. 

With Kii, developers can focus on building the frontend of their applications, while the platform takes care of the rest. Additionally, Kii has specific solutions for Agriculture, Asset Management, Beacons, and more.

8Base

If you’re looking to create web applications, 8Base is a fantastic platform to consider. With both a backend-as-a-service and an app builder, it offers a comprehensive range of tools for your development needs.

Some of its standout features include a serverless architecture, built-in business logic, authentication, notifications, and a component library. Plus, its drag-and-drop interface makes it easy for even beginners to get started with.

But what really sets 8Base apart from other platforms is its commitment to cutting-edge technology. It fully supports GraphQL, which means you can take advantage of its powerful querying capabilities. And if you prefer to self-host your applications, 8Base offers that option too.

Finally, if you need custom software development, 8Base has you covered. Its team of experts can work with you to create tailor-made solutions that meet your unique needs. Overall, 8Base is an excellent choice for anyone looking to build robust, modern web applications.

NHost

Introducing NHost – a fresh face in the world of backend as a service! It’s a platform that offers a serverless solution for web and mobile applications. NHost comes equipped with a host of features like Database, API, Authentication, Storage, Serverless Functions, and email services.

Starting with a free tier, the paid plans start at $25 per month, and there’s even an Enterprise plan available. Pricing details for the Enterprise plan are available upon request.

Some of the most significant benefits of using NHost include its compatibility with SQL databases, as well as its provision of a GraphQL API. Additionally, the platform boasts of a user-friendly dashboard, which makes it easy to manage all your backend needs in one place.

Supabase

Supabase is a new company that emerged in 2020, providing an open-source solution as an alternative to Firebase. Its primary features include a powerful database, instant API, real-time subscriptions, and storage options.

The company offers a free plan with the option to upgrade to a paid plan starting at $25 per month. Additionally, they offer an Enterprise plan; however, pricing information for this option requires a quotation.

One of the main advantages of Supabase is that it is entirely open-source, meaning that the source code is available for anyone to access and modify. Another advantage is that it works seamlessly with Postgres database, which is known for its reliability and performance. Lastly, Supabase’s interface is user-friendly, making it easy for developers to get started and create compelling applications.

appwrite

Introducing Appwrite – a revolutionary open-source backend server designed for both web and mobile developers. With its self-hosting solution and easy download process on GitHub, creating your own server has never been easier. Its core features include database, storage, user management, localization, functions, and security – everything you need to power up your app.

What makes Appwrite stand out is its simplicity, making it ideal for novice developers. Plus, their documentation is thorough and easy to follow, ensuring a smooth experience from start to finish. With consistent updates and maintenance, you can trust that your app is in good hands. While Appwrite does not offer pricing information on their website, their commitment to delivering high-quality service is evident.

Kuzzle

Kuzzle is a powerful platform that comes packed with features including authentication and security, a real-time database, geofencing, and an administration console.

But what about the cost? Well, the good news is that the open-source framework is available to download completely free of charge. And if you need technical support, Kuzzle offers three different options: Starter for €500, business for €1,000, and Premium (which requires a quote).

There are plenty of benefits to using Kuzzle, including the fact that it’s open-source (always a plus!). In addition, if you need to keep things on-premises, there’s a free option available. And for those who need a little more help, managed private clouds are also available for paid clients.

Backend as a Service Providers Comparison

Below is a table aggregation the backend services providers. 

ProviderCore FeaturesPricingPlans
Back4appScalable Realtime Database              

REST and GraphQL APIs      

CloudCode Functions
Free TierStarts $5/mo
ParseSpreadsheet like database     

Push-Notifications       

Downloadable 
Free to DownloadDownload Only
FirebaseRealtime Databases         

Analytics                        

Machine Learning
Free TierPay as you go
CloudKitDatabase                                

APIs                                         

File Sharing 
Free TierPay as you go
BackendlessVisual Programming                

Realtime database                    

User Management
Free TierStarts at $25/mo
AWS AmplifyDatastore                   

Authentication               

GraphQL APIs
Free TierPay as you go
Azure Mobile AppsCorporate Sign In               

Offline Sync                        

Scalable hosting
Free TierPay as you go
KiiData Managament                     

User Management             

Geolocation
Free Trial
8Base     Serverless Functions            

GraphQL API                 

Relational Database
Free TierStarts at $25/mo
SupabasePostgres database

Authentication

Instant APIs
Free TierStarts at $25/mo
appwriteDatabase

Storage

Security
N/AN/A
KuzzleRealtime Pub/Sub                     

User Authentication          

Geofencing
Free to DownloadStarts at 500/mo

Conclusion

In software development, applications have different components, such as a frontend, a backend, and APIs that connect them. A backend as a service (BaaS), also known as mBaaS for mobile apps, is a cloud computing model that automates the development of backend code. Along with this, BaaS providers are responsible for deploying, managing, and scaling applications.

The implementation of BaaS has many advantages, such as reducing the time to launch an app, lowering development costs, and outsourcing infrastructure management. Some of the most common features of a BaaS include scalable databases, APIs, cloud code functions, notifications, and authentication.

BaaS platforms are often compared based on their pricing models, feature sets, and ease of use. Some of the most popular BaaS solutions include Firebase, Supabase, Appwrite, and Kuzzle. Depending on your application’s specific needs, one of these options may be the best fit for you.

Regardless of your choice, there are plenty of options out there, so research and find the one that’s right for you. Don’t settle for anything less than perfect!

General FAQ

What is a BaaS – Backend as a Service?

BaaS or mBaaS (Backend as a Service or Mobile Backend as a Service) is a convenient platform that automates backend development, offers pre-built APIs, and handles cloud infrastructure management. With a BaaS, you can easily link your app’s frontend to the backend by leveraging SDKs and APIs.

What are the benefits of using a BaaS?

Utilizing a Backend-as-a-Service (BaaS) can significantly accelerate your backend development, dramatically reduce the overall timeline of your software project, and delegate the complexities of managing cloud infrastructure to specialists. Let’s delve into the comprehensive benefits of BaaS.

What features have a backend as a service?

The most prevalent features of Backend-as-a-Service (BaaS) include scalable databases, robust application programming interfaces (APIs), cloud-based code functions, comprehensive notification systems, and secure authentication protocols.

What are the best BaaS providers?

– Back4app
– Parse
– Firebase
– CloudKit
– Backendless
– AWS Amplify
– Azure Mobile Apps
– Kii
– 8Base
– NHost
– Supabase
– appwrite
– Kuzzle


Leave a reply

Your email address will not be published.