The Best Backend For Flutter

Are you looking for the best backend for Flutter for your upcoming project? Or are you looking for a BaaS solution to stay concentrated on the frontend functionalities of your Flutter SDK? If yes, read this blog post without skipping a single portion. 

SDKs are significant in programming because they let developers craft highly functional and complicated applications efficiently.

Indeed, software development kits or SDKs are collections of libraries, building blocks, sample code, and debuggers that are imperative to building top-grade websites and applications. 

In this regard, Flutter is the finest multi-platform UI SDK that Google launched in 2017. With 160k repository stars on GitHub, this open-source library is utilized to build applications through a single codebase.

Its cross-platform nature enables dev teams to develop applications for various platforms, including Android, web, iOS, macOS, Windows, Linux, and Fuchsia. 

Moreover, businesses and programmers prefer Flutter because of its fast integrations and short development cycle. According to a recent survey by Stack Overflow, Flutter has been ranked among the ten most used frameworks or libraries with 9.12% votes.

Correspondingly, BuiltWith data shows around 80k+ websites on the internet use Flutter, and 22k are only from the United States.

These figures present massive use of this SDK, but you can improve the productivity of your Flutter project with the proper backend. 

So, this article will discuss the best backends for Flutter with their core credentials and pricing details. Furthermore, we will also talk about why you need a backend for Flutter.

Why Use Backend as a Service for a Flutter app Backend?

The communication of the Flutter application with server-side functionalities refers to the Flutter backend.

It typically comprises a database, server, and application. Using Backend as a Service (BaaS) could be the best option to fulfill backend requirements for Flutter apps.

BaaS, or Backend as a Service, is a cloud computing model that lets the developers employ all server-side features.

This way, Flutter developers can only emphasize client-side code and core competencies. Yes, BaaS solutions take care of all backend tasks.

The major BaaS offerings are real-time database management, authentication, cloud functions, storage, remote configuration, hosting, etc.

You can sync applications with cloud backends using SDKs and APIs. Yes, BaaS platforms come with built-in API and SDK support for smooth backend development.

In addition, you don’t need to pay for hardware resources to perform server-side operations with these cloud services.

BaaS Benefits

Let’s discuss the key BaaS benefits to understand its significance for Flutter’s backend:

Accelerate Development

Fast development is an evident benefit of using Backend as a Service (BaaS) solutions. Server-side development is a time-consuming task.

But with pre-built authentication, DB management, and managed servers, crafting, deploying, and hosting applications becomes swift. 

So, reusable scripts and a ready-made backend can save 80% of the development time you invest in server-side coding. Less time to market and more focus on core business are also advantages of BaaS.

Scalability

Extending and reducing instances is seamless because of the scalable nature of BaaS vendors. These platforms permit developers to add servers, CPUs, and further resources within clicks.

In this regard, most CSPs follow a pay-as-you-go pricing model. That means you only have to pay for used resources.

Ease of use

BaaS is easier to use than other cloud computing models, such as PaaS or IaaS. You can find all necessary functionalities on a single dashboard and quickly generate the backend.

Mainly, it is highly flexible to integrate needed features through APIs and SDKs.

Which Backend is Best For Flutter?

Here are the top 8 backends for Flutter:

1. Back4app

Back4app is an open-source cloud platform that 300k developers use across 100 countries. This platform offers excellent backend services with robust AI backing to accelerate flexibility and productivity. 

Indeed, through features like real-time databases, cloud functions, REST & GraphQL API, and cloud storage, this vendor has shipped 400k+ applications.

It is easy for newbies and seasoned developers to craft, deploy, and host Flutter backing utilizing Back4app BaaS. 

Adobe, GlobalLogic, Rappi, and PayPal are featured companies that use Back4app for different tech stacks.

A tutorial about deploying a Flutter app and sources like Flutter Docs could be helpful for developers in this regard. 

Core Features 

• Real-time Database – This property authorizes you to gather and query data in the meantime. Hereof, it interprets relational datasets utilizing SDKs, UIs, and APIs. You can employ ‘Live Queries’ to avail this attribute. This feature also enables you to backlog data when you are offline and sync it again with the server when you approach the internet.

• Cloud Code Functions – Using JavaScript functions to add business logic to their Flutter applications is common among dev teams. Fortunately, Back4app offers cloud code functions to perform this operation without administering servers. 

• Authentication – The availability of a thorough user management system is another attribute of this CSP. Back4app delivers Flutter SDK code via GitHub for user registration and login to speed up the app development. 

• APIs & SDKs – This low-code app development platform empowers you to craft backends with a few script lines leveraging software development kits and APIs. Yes, Back4app grants ten built-in SDKs, GraphQL, and REST APIs to accelerate the server-side development cycle.

Pricing

Have a look at the critical plans of Back4app BaaS:

• Free Plan: Back4app is an ideal option if you are looking for a no-cost backend for Flutter. Its Free Plan comprises 250MB cloud storage, 1GB transfer, 25k requests, and 1GB file storage. Luckily, this cloud platform lets you sign up and use this service without inserting credit card details.

• MVP: This option could be preferred to release MVPs. If you choose an annual plan, it bills you $15/month. Hereof, 2GB data storage, 250GB data transfer, 50GB file storage, and 500,000 requests are primary offerings.

• Pay-as-you-go: You can choose this plan if you build a scalable Flutter application. Although this package only costs you for used instances but, its monthly price begins at $80 with yearly billing. You can access 1TB transfer, 4GB data storage, 250GB file storage, and 5 million requests under this plan.

• Dedicated: This is an excellent choice for production-ready applications. With 1TB storage, unmetered requests, and 5 app subscriptions, it bills you $400/month if you pay annually. 

2. Firebase

Firebase is another highly acclaimed Flutter backend that works under the umbrella of Google. This closed-source BaaS platform delivers remote config, real-time databases, hosting, and storage to proceed with server-side operations.

You must create an account on Firebase and install Firebase and FlutterFire CLI. Then, it would help if you used FlutterFire CLI to perform the configuration.

You need to switch on Firebase in your Flutter app at this stage. The last step is the inclusion of Firebase plugins in this regard.

Lyft, Venmo, Duolingo, and Halfbrick are the featured tech clients of Firebase.   

Core Features

• Databases – Cloud Firestore and Realtime Database are major DB offerings of Firebase. Realtime DB is the primary NoSQL database that acts upon JSON format. On the other hand, Cloud Firestore is its advanced alternative, offering online and offline data access. 

• Cloud Functions – Firebase authorizes dev teams to build serverless Flutter backends. In this regard, it lets you run your Flutter app script without handling servers. Besides, you can isolate your business logic from end users to ensure security. 

• Scalable Hosting – This BaaS vendor lets you create and host your Flutter backends on the fly. In this regard, you don’t have to deal with server-side infrastructure. Free SSL certification, scaling, and blazing-fast CDN are also further benefits of Firebase hosting. 

• Cloud Storage – Firebase practices the same technology that Google Photos and Spotify utilize to serve and gather data. Moreover, the role of Firebase SDK is crucial to providing cloud storage functionality whether a user is offline or online. 

Pricing

Firebase offers the following two pricing models:

• No-cost: The free tier offerings of Firebase are categorized under the Spark Plan. Through its no-cost program, you can avail yourself of 5GB cloud storage, 10GB hosting storage, 50k monthly active users, etc. 

• Pay-as-you-go: You only have to pay for used instances under the Blaze Plan. To better understand the pricing structure, you can also use Blaze Calculator. 

3. Backendless

If you want to build a backend for Flutter through a low-code or no-code platform with accelerated speed, try Backendless.

This provider permits dev teams to craft and edit the backend of Flutter SDK through a visual interface. Moreover, you can seamlessly connect your backend with FlutterFlow when using Backendless. 

The provision of real-time databases, pub/sub messaging, logging, caching, and cloud code are features that Backendless grants to its users. YTCount, FindMy+1, and EatClub are the key customers of this cloud platform. 

Core Features

• Backendless Database – Unlike the other BaaS vendors, Backendless has a no-code database offering that supports SQL and NoSQL approaches. This attribute offers real-time queries, SQL-driven searches, and schema management.

• Hive – Backendless utilizes an advanced cloud storage system named Hive. This storage feature backs numerous open-source DB technologies and could be swiftly integrated with the client side.

• User Management – User management APIs are vital in verifying users and organizing their experience. It allows developers to employ social media or third-party registrations as well.

• Cloud Code – This complete serverless platform lets you add codeless business logic to your Flutter app. Its cloud code function includes times, API services, and event handlers. 

Pricing

Let’s discover the Backendless Cloud pricing plan:

• Free Plan: Like other popular backend services, Backendless has a no-cost plan. You can approach 50 API requests per minute, 1GB of file storage, and 10 database tables for free here.

• Scale Plan: The monthly billing begins at $15/month when you use Scale Plan. It offers flexible limits, 10GB file storage, unmetered monthly API requests, and 100 DB tables.

4. AWS Amplify

AWS is the biggest shareholder in the cloud computing industry and holds 31% market shares, according to a recent survey by Statista.

Hereof, Amazon Web Services offers around 200 products, and Amplify is a renowned name for backend development.

AWS Amplify is a highly scalable and agile full-stack application development platform that you can use to build Flutter backend.

It lets developers quickly connect Flutter’s backend with computing resources like Amazon S3, Lambda, and DynamoDB.

If we talk about leading customers of AWS Amplify, Abit Agritech, Amazon Music, and Mediality are the top names. 

Core Features

• Amplify Flutter – Flutter is one of Amplify’s officially supported frameworks or libraries. That is why it provides open-source Flutter libraries with complete documentation. Amplify Flutter also has compatibility with Android, iOS, web, Linux, Windows, and MacOS. 

• Authentication – With the robust backing of Amazon Cognito, Amplify has a fully managed user authentication system. It enables you to log in through popular social apps and Amazon.  

• DataStore – This storage engine authorizes developers to access data offline or online without scripting additional code. In this regard, this BaaS also has the backing of AWS AppSync. 

• Functions – You can seamlessly use GraphQL and REST APIs to add Lambda Functions to your Flutter application. Hereof, you need to conduct the @function command in Amplify CLI.

Pricing

AWS Amplify gives a free-to-start plan to develop a backend for Flutter applications.

Amplify Studio, Amplify Libraries, and Amplify CLI don’t come with any cost. You can get 1k build minutes, 5GB of data storage, and 15GB of data transfer monthly under its free plan.

In contrast, the Pay-as-you-go model of Amplify asks $0.01 per build minute, $0.023/GB, and $0.15/GB for data storage and transfer, respectively. 

5. Parse

Parse is another commonly used open-source BaaS provider utilized by Flutter programmers. It empowers the developers to create and deploy backends leveraging Node.js, PostgreSQL.

Besides authentication, object & file storage, and push notifications, you can seamlessly access Flutter SDK available on GitHub. 

Meta has already tested the Parse Platform for its various tech stacks. So, you can employ this backend without any worry. Weebly, 500px, Bubble, and Accenture are leading companies that use Parse, according to StackShare. 

Core Features

• Hosting Freedom – Parse grants complete control over your hardware and cloud infrastructure. Also, it gives you the freedom to employ cloud or self-hosting options. The use of Parse Server through Back4app is an ideal choice in this regard.

• Push Notifications – Push notifications have great importance in engaging Flutter app users. Moreover, Parse Server can quickly generate push notifications for Android and iOS devices.

• Spreadsheet-like Database – This BaaS provider comes with real-time database features and follows the JSON data model. Also, it allows you to sync, query, and backlog data in the meantime. 

• GraphQL & REST APIs – Using Parse Server, you can swiftly form powerful REST and GraphQL APIs. Hereof, you don’t have to write additional code to construct these dynamic APIs.

Pricing

Parse Platform is an open-source freemium solution. It signifies it doesn’t cost you anything. 

6. Appwrite

Whether you want to self-host your Flutter app data or are willing to deploy the backend on the cloud, Appwrite is an applicable platform.

With 99.99% uptime, Appwrite has helped 20k organizations build 90k projects and serve 1 billion requests. 

Moreover, the user-friendly and dark dashboard is effortless for developers and businesses. IBM, Intel, Deloitte, and TikTok are featured Appwrite customers.

Core Features

• Authentication – You can authenticate Flutter app users through 30+ registration methods. It personalizes the login templates and customizes the user access. Businesses can also tailor the dev team access according to their roles.

• Databases – Highly extensible databases with agile caching functionalities are other attributes of Appwrite. This property lets you backlog data in different file types and formats.

• Functions – You can run functions in more than 30 runtimes while using Appwrite. In addition, users can set up these functions via Git repository services like GitHub.

• Easy Data Migrations – Easy data migration is another appealing property. You can migrate data for cloud or self-hosted backends on the fly. It also permits you to move data among third parties.

Pricing

Here are the three pricing models of Appwrite:

• Starter: This freeware solution is ideal for students and prototype projects. Ample community support, 10GB bandwidth, 2GB storage, and 750k executions are core highlights of the Starter package.

• Pro: This program bills you $15/month per member to access 3.5 million executions, 150GB storage, and 300GB bandwidth. 

• Scale: You can employ this plan to host production-level applications. It costs you $685/month to access 10 million executions, 500GB storage, and 5TB bandwidth.

7. NHost

Firebase is a widely used Flutter SDK backend that lacks GraphQL support. Also, Firebase is a closed-source platform.

To deal with these discrepancies, you should adopt NHost. Yes, NHost is an open-source Firebase alternative that has 7.4k repository stars on GitHub.

You can simply utilize this cloud solution to craft the Flutter SDK backend in a short period of time. It is equally beneficial for new and existing Flutter projects.

Midnight Society, RevTron, and React Flow are the leading companies associated with NHost for distinct tech stacks.

Core Features

• Functions – You can include custom business logic to your Flutter app through these serverless functions. Developers can also trigger events and illustrate the variables with NHost.

• Authentication – User authentication is another powerful NHost feature. It not only permits user registration through numerous means but also secures the overall experience. Multi-factor authorization plays a key role here.

• Postgres Database – This BaaS vendor has a spreadsheet-like interface to deal with Postgres DB. Using this feature, you can quickly add, remove, modify, and delete data and tables.

• Storage – Highly optimized storage is an attractive feature, which is why Flutter developers pick it. Dev teams can server data files across global CDN and divide these datasets into buckets using this platform. 

Pricing

Following are the considerable four plans of NHost:

• Starter: This package confers 1GB database, 1GB storage, unmetered users, and 5GB egress for nothing. Yes, it is a free tier plan.

• Pro: The monthly and per-project cost of the Pro program is $25. Developers can approach 50GB storage, 10GB database, and 50 GB egress here. 

• Team: Dev teams that work on highly scalable projects should pick a Team plan. Its monthly bill begins at $599/project. 

• Enterprise: If you need customized instances to handle production-ready projects, you can go with the Enterprise option. Connecting with the sales team to discover more about this project is better.

8. 8Base

8Base is another low-code Flutter backend builder on our list. It is a full-stack application development platform with two products:

Backend as a Service (BaaS) and App Builder. You can simply benefit from BaaS products to deal with Flutter’s server-side functionalities.

The BaaS solution only takes 5 minutes to make your backend operational. This platform also officially mentions Flutter among the client-side technologies to whom it supplies server-side support.

The prominent companies that use 8Base are Honda Livo, Photag, and Jebel. 

Core Features

• GraphQL API Engine – The supply of auto-generated GraphQL APIs is an incredible 8Base feature. You can surely smoothen and modernize your backend development experience with GraphQL Engine.

• Data Modeling – Dev teams can effortlessly interpret the data schema with data modeling. You will find drag-and-drop properties here to elaborate on data types and their relationships. 

• Functions – You can simply utilize TypeScript and JavaScript to code backend functions for the Flutter app. Later, you can add logic to an app by running these serverless functions. 

• Configure Roles – The role configuration and customization of user access control is straightforward with 8Base. You can robustly benefit from a visual interface to modify roles here.  

Pricing

Have a look at the pricing model of 8Base:

• Free: You can start building a backend for free with 8Base under this plan. It provides 2.5k DB rows, 2GB monthly bandwidth, and 0.5GB file storage.

• Developer: With the Developer plan, you can approach 500k DB rows, 50GB file storage, and 50GB monthly bandwidth. It bills you $25/month.

• Professional: With a monthly cost of $50/developer, the Professional package offers 5 million DB rows, 250GB file storage, and 150 GB monthly bandwidth. 

• Enterprise: This plan costs $75/developer monthly for unmetered DB rows, file storage, and bandwidth. 

Comparison Table  

Conclusion

Finding a suitable backend for Flutter SDK is a challenging job. That is why we shared top backends for Flutter with their core features and pricing details.

Most of them come with a free tier, so it is straightforward for everyone to test them. However, it is better to choose more compatible BaaS vendors according to your needs.