Software · head to head
Backendless vs Firebase
Backendless
Software
Visual app development platform with REST APIs and cloud backend
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
Firebase
Software
Google's platform for building web and mobile applications with cloud backend
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Backendless free tier limited to 50 API requests per minute and 20 database tables; Firebase spark plan limited to 1 GiB storage, 50,000 daily reads, 20,000 daily writes
- They diverge on capability: Backendless covers Real-time database, Firebase covers Real-time Database.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Backendless and Firebase actually diverge.
| Attribute | Backendless | Firebase |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Unknown | freemium |
| Platforms | Cloud, Visual builder | iOS, Android, Web, Flutter, C++, Unity |
| Founded | 2012 | 1998 |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in Backendless
- Real-time database
- Cloud code
- Custom integrations
- Webhooks
- Visual builder support
Only in Firebase
- Real-time Database
- Authentication
- Google Cloud
- Cloud Storage
- Web support
- Mobile support
Both cover
- REST API
- Cloud functions
- Cloud support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Backendless
- API Developmentnot Firebase
- API Gatewaynot Firebase
- API Testingnot Firebase
- API Documentationnot Firebase
- Microservicesnot Firebase
Firebase
- Mobile app backend developmentnot Backendless
- Real-time data synchronisationnot Backendless
- Web application backendnot Backendless
- Cross-platform app developmentnot Backendless
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Backendless
- Free tier limited to 50 API requests per minute and 20 database tables
- Smaller community and integration ecosystem compared to Firebase or AWS
- Customization beyond codeless tools requires developer expertise
- Limited documentation for advanced use cases and edge cases
Firebase
- Spark plan limited to 1 GiB storage, 50,000 daily reads, 20,000 daily writes
- Spark plan restricts to 100 concurrent database connections
- Spark plan limits Firebase Studio to 3 workspaces maximum
- Document size capped at 1 MiB per document
- Transaction time limited to 270 seconds with 60-second idle expiration
- Maximum 100 databases per project (increase requires support request)
Pricing, plan by plan
Backendless
Free- FreeFree
- 50 API requests/minute
- 20 database tables
- 1 GB file storage
- Scale Variable$15/month
- Unlimited API requests/month
- 100 database tables
- 10 GB file storage
- Scale Fixed$15/month
- Same as Scale Variable
- Fixed monthly pricing
Firebase
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the Firebase review.
Which should you pick?
Choose Backendless if
- You need real-time database.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Cloud, Visual builder.
- You also want cloud code.
Choose Firebase if
- You need real-time database.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on iOS, Android, Web, Flutter, C++, Unity.
- You also want authentication.
Questions people ask
- Is Backendless or Firebase better?
- Neither clearly leads. Backendless starts at Free and Firebase at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Backendless or Firebase?
- Backendless starts at Free and Firebase at Free.
- Does Backendless or Firebase run on more platforms?
- Backendless runs on Cloud, Visual builder. Firebase runs on iOS, Android, Web, Flutter, C++, Unity.
- Can I use Backendless for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Backendless best used for?
- Backendless is most often used for api development, api gateway, api testing, api documentation. Of those, api development and api gateway are not what Firebase is typically brought in for.
- What can Backendless do that Firebase cannot?
- Backendless covers Real-time database, Cloud code, Custom integrations, Webhooks. Firebase covers Real-time Database, Authentication, Google Cloud, Cloud Storage. Both handle REST API, Cloud functions, Cloud support.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Backendless: Does Backendless have a free tier?
Backendless Free plan ($0/month) includes 50 API requests per minute, 20 database tables, 1 GB file storage, 1 visualization, 2 security roles, and basic cloud code capabilities.
SourceBackendless: What features does the Scale plan include?
Scale plan ($15+/month) provides unlimited API requests per month, 100 database tables, 10 GB file storage, 5 visualizations, 10 custom API keys, daily backups, free SSL certificates, and 1,000 real-time connections.
SourceBackendless: Can I add more storage or increase API limits?
Yes, Backendless offers Function Packs ranging from $5-$399/month to increase specific limits such as storage, API requests, or security features.
SourceBackendless: Does Backendless support offline functionality?
Backendless supports real-time sync and offline capabilities for mobile apps, allowing data to sync when connectivity is restored.
SourceBackendless: Is Backendless Pro available for self-hosting?
Yes, Backendless Pro Community Edition is available under free licensing for core functionality. Managed Backendless is a paid option for self-hosted deployments with request-based pricing.
SourceBackendless: What are Backendless's integration limitations?
While Backendless supports many integrations, it has a smaller integration library compared to competitors. Finding solutions to edge cases or complex setups may require more development effort.
Source