The Best Five Free Mobile Backend Services

This article will discuss five of the best free mobile backend services, features, and pricing model.

The use of smartphones is increasing. A recent survey report by Statista claims there are 6.5 billion active mobile phone subscribers globally.

The figure will cross 7.6 billion by 2027. So, with this increased usage and demand for mobile phones, the ratio of mobile backend services is also growing.

If we look at the need for Mobile Backend as a Service (MBaaS) solutions, it is also amplifying. Indeed, the cloud MBaaS market will expand up to 5.9 billion USD by 2025, according to a global forecast of MarketsAndMarkets.

Its value was only 2 billion USD in 2020. Although it proves that mobile backend services are significant, but their selection is still a mind-boggling task.

Withal, this guide presents one of the best free mobile app backend services to sort out this problem for mobile backend developers and businesses.

What is Mobile Backend as a Service?

Mobile Backend as a Service (MBaaS) is basically a cloud computing environment or infrastructure that helps developers build, run, and operate the server-side of mobile apps.

Hereof, it utilizes software development kits (SDKs) and application programming interfaces (APIs) to integrate server-side resources with apps in a cloud environment.

In addition, MBaaS grants storage, server, databases, networking, push notifications, APIs and security solutions to mobile applications.

Back4App, Firebase, Parse, and Kuzzle are among the best mobile backend services that come with a free tier.

What are the Mobile Backend as a Service Features?

Here are the core features of MBaaS solutions:

Data Management

Data management functions are an appealing property of MBaaS solutions. It is convenient for developers to query, store and edit data with the help of virtual machines.

The cloud storage feature of the MBaaS platform is also crucial in this regard because data can be gathered in the cloud. This property enables the developers and users to access data anywhere, anytime.

Similarly, cloud data management infrastructures have better data security by 94% than on-premises data solutions.

Because of their scalability, you can extend and reduce compute or storage resources with a few clicks only while using MBaaS solutions.

Automated updates, backups and disaster recovery are also benefits of this feature.

APIs

The development and administration of APIs are very smooth on MBaaS platforms. Although coders can import APIs, but most of the MBaaS vendors allow the developers to create and integrate APIs seamlessly. Likewise, the Codeless Builder function of Backendless permits businesses to develop their own APIs.

By the same token, it is straightforward to benefit from GraphQL API when you pick the Back4App platform. This mobile backend solution can also automatically propagate REST and GraphQL APIs that are eligible for all database activities.

Cloud Code Functions

The primary purpose of cloud code functions is to cast up business logic on the backend of your mobile application. This feature authorizes the developers to drive JS-based operations on the backend robotically. API integrations, database triggers and request approvals are also part of this feature.

User Authentication

Built-in user management property is another great advantage of mobile backend service providers. Yes, it is seamless to register or login into your app. However, MBaaS platforms provide user authentication to improve user access to accounts.

Hereof, mobile backend services use passwords, two-factor authentication, OAuth 2.0 and Single sign-on solutions to validate the login process. By the way, third-party user authentications are also possible with many backend services.

Notifications

Mobile backend services facilitate businesses with in-app and push notifications. The core agenda of these notifications is to attain and retain the users. Developers just need to enable the push notifications and in-app messages through the dashboard of MBaaS platforms in this regard.

What are the Advantages of Using a Mobile Backend?

All apps need a backend and we will share the advantages of mobile backend services:

Faster Time to Market

Mobile backend solutions lower the coding duration by up to 80% compared to traditional server-side development.

Automated tasks, easy integrations and accessible data models fasten the development process. This quick app development also reduces the time to market, which is suitable for startups.

They can build minimum viable products (MVPs) in a short period of time through swift app testing and releasing process. In this way, startups can also convince their investors and get users’ opinions.

No Infrastructure Management Hassles

Most of the mobile backend services are cloud-based, and there is no issue with managing infrastructures. Service providers have to handle all server-side infrastructures.

This includes data storage, server positioning, user authentication, notifications and database management.

Focus on the User Experience

When businesses go with backend services, their development teams have more time and energy to invest in frontend development.

In this way, teams only take care of client-side development and core goals of an app that really advances the user experience (UX).

Top 5 Free Backend Services

1. Back4App

Back4App is the first free backend for mobile apps. It’s a low-code mobile backend service that comes with the robust backing of open-source technologies.

It commenced its backend service provider journey in 2015. Startups and development teams can consider Back4App in the free mobile backend services category because of its free tier where even a credit card is not needed.

Two4Tea, VantageBP and 1001Dubai are satisfied customers of this real-time backend service. It’s a great choice for web app development and mobile app development.

Features

Cross-Platform SDKs — Back4App permits the coders to install a variety of Parse SDKs, including iOS, Unity, PHP, Flutter, Android and .NET. With this feature, you can build mobile backends for various devices.

Relational Database Schema — This MBaaS platform uses Relations and Pointers data sets to back relational database queries and schema. To conduct state-of-the-art questions, you can also utilize Parse SDKs.

Real-Time Queries — Developers just need to enable the ‘Server URL and Live Query’ function of Back4App to get real-time updates, create and delete events. This function also prevents repetitive inquiries.

Smooth Interface — Smooth and spreadsheet-like interface is another advantage of using Back4App for mobile backends. Its interface has made all modifications, data import, export and further operations effortless for developers.

Notifications — Back4App is a reliable MBaaS solution whether you want to get push notifications or in-app messaging to increase user engagement.

Other Features — Rest APIs, GraphQL APIs, cloud code functions, web hosting, backend servers, etc.

Pricing

Back4App is a perfect free mobile backend service for startups and new developers. Yes, its Free plan favours novices with 25k requests, 1 GB storage and 1 GB transfer for free.

You also don’t have to give your credit card details to subscribe to this plan. Withal, the monthly charges of its Shared plan begin from $25.

2. Parse

Parse is the second free mobile backend option. With 35k stars and 16k forks on GitHub, Parse Platform is another tested and free mobile backend service. Facebook adopted this solution in 2013 and used it for many of its backend stacks.

This entirely free and open-source backend solution is the primary choice for developers because of its documentation, SDKs, libraries and community support. Mobile and web applications can benefit from Parse to accelerate development.

Features

Parse Server — It provides a comprehensive API server module to smoothly build and launch Express and Node applications. You can also get massive source support on GitHub for this feature. Yes, Parse Server has 19.5 repository stars on GitHub.

Libraries & SDKs — Parse proffers extensive support in terms of libraries and SDKs. You can find open-source Objective-C, Android, Swift, Dart, JavaScript, Cloud Code, Unity, PHP and Swift SDKs on this MBaaS platform.

Community Support — Are you new in mobile backend development and willing to get some community support? Then you can ask relevant questions on its community forum.

Pricing

Parse is a mobile backend service that doesn’t cost you anything.

3. Backendless

Backendless is a considerable mobile backend service if you want to build server-side without using code through a visual user interface.

This MBaaS solution was launched in 2012 with the most advanced development features, including cloud code, real-time database, etc.

Features

Database & Caching — It facilitates businesses with a combination of both SQL and NoSQL databases. Caching API is also helpful for efficiently gathering data.

Pub/Sub Messaging — Backendless supports the group and individual messaging through SQL-driven pub/sub messaging delivery.

Codeless — If you don’t want to write complex scripts, then the use of Backendless is the right idea. This is a codeless solution for building server-side of mobile apps.

Pricing

The Springboard plan of Backendless is free, and it comes with 200 database tables, limitless API calls and push notifications. Its Cloud 9 plan costs $25/month to developers.

4. Firebase

Firebase is another trustworthy mobile backend development platform that millions of businesses are using around the globe.

All sizes of businesses can rely on this platform because of its security, scalability and Google-backed cloud functions.

Features

Databases — Firebase is known for its real-time databases that help developers produce serverless mobile applications. These databases also have the ability to sync data during offline sessions.

Analytics — Google Analytics is a well-reputed platform for getting traffic insights and other details. So, you can use it for free while using Firebase.

Pricing

Though the Blaze model of Firebase follows a pay-as-you-go pricing strategy but its Spark Plan is entirely free to use.

5. Kuzzle

Kuzzle supports mobile backend development under its ‘Kuzzle Backend’ service. You can choose cloud or on-premises server-side solutions to build mobile apps with Kuzzle. La Poste, Biogen and Bouygues are leading customers of Kuzzle.

Features

Authentication & Security — Kuzzle safeguards the data and APIs of your application from attacks. In addition, it also tightens the authentication process safety with more than 500 policies.

Real-Time Engine — This feature aids in providing real-time messaging and notifications to improve user experience.

Pricing

Kuzzle Backend is free to download and open-source for users. However, if you want to get technical support, then you will have to pay for it.

Conclusion

Mobile backend services are playing a vital role in simplifying and speeding up server-side development. Hopefully, businesses, startups and development teams will pick the suitable solution from our list.

FAQ