Top 10 backend servers for an Android app

This article will highlight the best ten backend servers for an Android application.

The number of tasks that users can do on their Android phones is continuously increasing. It is all because of the robust hardware and the ultra-capable android platform that these phones provide. So, for these powerful devices, the applications need to be as practical as well.

It is because users demand better performance, but this makes things troublesome for the developers. There is a lot of work needed when it comes to the development of a well-functioning application. It amazingly makes things easier for the developers because they can use Backend servers’ services.

Overview of Android

Android is an operating system that is made for Android devices. More specifically, this was the operating system that was developed for android mobiles and tablet computers. It is an operating system based on a modified version of the Linux kernel and is open-source software.

Android was first developed in November 2007, where Google sponsored it; however, it launched the first commercial device with the Android operating system in 2008. As it is open-source software, its source code is available for everyone, and it is known as the Android Open-Source Project or AOSP.

It is the software that is licensed under the Apache license. When we talk about the devices, there are different types of devices from different manufacturers, and all of them add their proprietary features to the software.

Most of the time, the main features are added by Google, and this is known as Google Mobile Services, which contain all the apps like browser and other stuff. Interestingly about 70% of the total Android smartphones have these apps from Google Mobile Services.

Baas-Backend as a Service

Backend as a Service is a cloud-based service where the service providers provide the backend functionalities for the apps in software development kits SDKs. The programming interface for the application is provided in the form of Application Programming Interfaces APIs.

Using these services makes things extremely easy for the developers because they only need to manage these with the interface of their app without needing coding the whole backend of their application.

One of the best things about BaaS is that it works on both web applications and mobile applications. BaaS is a service that has gained a lot of popularity in a few years, and this is also available from a significantly smaller number of service providers.

Benefits of using Backend services for your Android Application

Backend as a Service is an excellent option for you if you are looking to make small to medium level projects. Because in this range, its benefits and usability will be great. However, the primary purpose of having BaaS at a developer’s end is to save time and increase productivity.

It also helps in saving the overall development cost. There are a lot of other benefits of using BaaS, and some of them are mentioned below.

• When you use BaaS, your apps require very little time for better marketing.
• With the need for fewer developers, the development cost significantly reduces.
• Most of the Backend functionalities and set-ups are managed by the services.
• Using BaaS means that the developer will get more time to focus on creating a better user interface.
• BaaS comes pre-built and ready to use security and backup features.

Features of BaaS

When you use Backend as a Service, you get a lot of features from the service providers. Some of them are mentioned below.

• Database
• Notifications
• APIs
• User authentication and management
• Cloud storage
• File management
• Social Networking Integration
• Location services and the list goes on.

The best part about each of these features is that they are present in the form of an API. Integrating a feature in your application means that you only have to allow the API, making the development process very easy and straightforward altogether.

Additionally, developers do not have to set-up servers and host for each of their apps that make things further easy and feature-rich with all the managed Backend features.

The best 10 Backend Servers for your Android applications

Many service providers provide their Backend services for the application developers, but each of them is different. Some are good, and some are not up to the mark, depending on their services.

Here we have some of the best Backend services providers to quickly select one depending on the features you get from them.

Back4App

Back4app is a platform that provides user-friendly services for making the bracken of Android applications. The best part here is that it is based on open-source technology. So, it helps the developers in making apps where the backend of the apps is fully hosted. Here are the features you get from them.

Main features:

The following are the main features provided here.

• Scalability
• Flexible backend according to the requirements.
• Open-Source

Firebase

Firebase is one of the best-managed backend platforms for web and especially mobile applications. This platformism provided by Google, so security and better management are one of Firebase’s main highlights.

Main features:

Some of the main features provided here are mentioned below.

• Automatic data synchronization
• Analytics
• Authentication services

Parse

In the BaaS providers’ race, this is one of the leading platforms with a great community of developers working on it. Parse is also an open-source platform so that every developer can use it for their application development needs.

Main features:

The following are the main features provided here.

• Data modelling
• Real-time and push notifications.
• Social login

Kumulos

Kumulos is a platform that makes things easier for the developers by providing all the necessary features under one platform. It comes with some of the most exciting and unique features as a Backend service.

Main features:

Some of the main features provided here are mentioned below.

• Campaign analysis
• User-opinion monitoring
• In-app messaging
• Deferred deep links

Kuzzle

Kuzzle platform provides the developers with all the necessary toolkits that they require for an efficient development process. The best part is that it works for both hybrid and native Android applications.

Main features:

The following are the main features provided here.

• Geofencing
• Security ACL
• Search API

AWS Amplify

AWS Amplify is a managed backend for the application development process that is provided by Amazon. The best part about this platform is that you can be it up in a matter of minutes, and the whole process takes a few seconds.

Main features:

Some of the main features provided here are mentioned below.

• Easier management
• Amazing CLI and libraries for features
• Artificial intelligence and machine learning integration

Backendless

If you are looking for application backend development without the need to code, Backendless is the right platform. It is a visual app builder that will not require a lot of code for your applications.

Main features:

The following are the main features provided here.

• Caching
• SQL driven database services
• User management

Kinvey

When a Backend of an application needs to be developed, it requires incredible features and functionalities. Kinvey is the platform that provides these services, and the best part is that all of these services are managed.

Main features:

Some of the main features provided here are mentioned below.

• Serverless Backend for all the applications
• Easy code sharing for different apps and modules
• Provides full control of the application with integration
• Data pipeline

Google App Engine

Google App Engine is a platform that is specially made by g+Google for cloud computing and application Backend development. It is a platform that can be used for all sizes and works even for large applications. The best part about this platform is that it comes with Google’s fantastic security and support that is always available.

Main features:

The following are the main features provided here.

• Pay as you go platform to make you pay only for the services that you need.
• Very easy to use
• Flexible services
• Fully managed to host services.

Heroku

Heroku provides the developers with features and functionalities that they want to add to their applications. This platform makes things so simple for the developers that their efficiency is increased. In terms of the Backend services provides, this is one of the best platforms. It is best for the development of apps with all the modern-day features.

Main features:

Some of the main features provided here are mentioned below.

• Amazing scalability options
• Application metrics
• Options to have add-ons in your application.
• Extensibility
• GitHub integration

Final Thoughts

Here we discussed the best ten options for backend servers and highlighted the core features of each supplier. Hopefully will support you in selecting the ideal choice for your software development project.

Are you developing for iOS as well? If so, please discover the best backend servers for iOS apps.

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