Backendless
Backendless is a visual app development platform that combines a no-code UI builder with a real-time database and automated backend services to help you build and scale applications faster.
Supabase
Supabase is an open-source Firebase alternative that provides a full suite of backend tools including a Postgres database, authentication, instant APIs, edge functions, and real-time subscriptions.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Backendless | Supabase |
|---|---|---|
| Website | backendless.com | supabase.com |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Starting Price | Free | Free |
| FREE Trial | ✓ 30 days free trial | ✘ No free trial |
| Free Plan | ✓ Has free plan | ✓ Has free plan |
| Product Demo | ✓ Request demo here | ✘ No product demo |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 2012 | 2020 |
| Headquarters | Dallas, USA | Singapore, Singapore |
Overview
Backendless
Backendless is a visual app development platform that gives you the tools to build sophisticated applications without writing complex server-side code. You can design your frontend using a drag-and-drop UI builder and connect it to a powerful, real-time database. It eliminates the need for manual server management by providing automated backend services like user authentication, file storage, and messaging out of the box.
The platform is designed for developers and entrepreneurs who want to reduce time-to-market for web and mobile apps. You can build your logic visually using Codeless blocks or integrate custom code if you prefer a hybrid approach. Whether you are launching a simple MVP or scaling a complex enterprise system, you can manage your entire application lifecycle from a single, unified dashboard.
Supabase
Supabase provides you with a complete backend platform built on top of enterprise-grade open-source tools. Instead of spending weeks configuring servers and writing boilerplate code, you can spin up a dedicated PostgreSQL database in less than two minutes. It automatically generates REST and GraphQL APIs based on your database schema, allowing you to start building your frontend immediately without manual backend plumbing.
You can manage user signups with built-in authentication, store large files in S3-compatible storage, and write custom logic using edge functions. The platform handles the heavy lifting of scaling and security, so you can focus on creating your product. Whether you are building a simple MVP or a complex enterprise application, it offers the flexibility of SQL with the speed of modern serverless development.
Overview
Backendless Features
- Visual UI Builder Create responsive web and mobile interfaces using a drag-and-drop editor with pre-built components and real-time previewing.
- Real-time Database Store and manage your data in a high-performance NoSQL/SQL hybrid database that syncs across all users instantly.
- Codeless Logic Build complex business logic and API services visually using intuitive logic blocks instead of writing manual code.
- User Management Implement secure registration, login, and session management with built-in support for social OAuth and role-based access.
- Push Notifications Engage your users by sending targeted push notifications to iOS, Android, and web browsers directly from your backend.
- Cloud Code Extend your app functionality by deploying custom JavaScript or Java code that runs automatically in response to events.
Supabase Features
- Managed Postgres Database. Get a full PostgreSQL database with every project, giving you total control over your data with SQL power.
- Instant APIs. Interact with your database immediately through automatically generated REST and GraphQL APIs that reflect your schema changes instantly.
- Real-time Subscriptions. Listen to database changes as they happen and sync data across all your connected users in milliseconds.
- User Authentication. Add secure login and user management to your app with support for email, passwords, and social providers.
- Edge Functions. Deploy custom server-side logic globally to handle webhooks, integrate third-party APIs, or process data closer to your users.
- Vector Embeddings. Store and query machine learning embeddings directly in your database to build AI-powered search and recommendation features.
- File Storage. Upload and serve large files like images and videos with built-in CDN support and easy access control.
- Database Webhooks. Trigger external services or serverless functions automatically whenever data is inserted, updated, or deleted in your tables.
Pricing Comparison
Backendless Pricing
- Unlimited API calls
- Up to 10 database tables
- 1 GB file storage
- Visual UI Builder access
- Community support
- Everything in Free, plus:
- 100 database tables
- 5 GB file storage
- 10 GB data transfer
- Priority support
- Custom domain support
Supabase Pricing
- Unlimited API requests
- 50,000 monthly active users
- 500MB database size
- 5GB bandwidth
- 1GB file storage
- Community support
- Everything in Free, plus:
- 8GB database included
- 250GB bandwidth included
- 100GB file storage included
- Daily database backups
- No project pausing
Pros & Cons
Backendless
Pros
- Extremely flexible database with real-time synchronization
- Comprehensive visual logic builder reduces coding time
- Generous free tier for prototyping and small apps
- Excellent documentation and active community support
Cons
- Steeper learning curve than simpler no-code tools
- Interface can feel overwhelming for absolute beginners
- Pricing can scale quickly with high data usage
Supabase
Pros
- Extremely fast setup for new PostgreSQL databases
- Excellent documentation and active developer community
- Seamless integration between database and authentication
- Open-source foundation prevents vendor lock-in
- Generous free tier for hobbyists and startups
Cons
- Learning curve for users unfamiliar with SQL
- Limited support for complex NoSQL use cases
- Edge functions can have cold start delays
- Dashboard can feel overwhelming for beginners