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APIs · head to head

Backendless vs mabl

Backendless logo

Backendless

APIs

Visual app development platform with REST APIs and cloud backend

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
mabl logo

mabl

Testing

Low-code browser and API test automation with hosted runners and self-healing selectors

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Backendless has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Backendless free tier limited to 50 API requests per minute and 20 database tables; mabl tests are stored in a proprietary format and cannot be exported as runnable code, so migrating to Playwright or Cypress later means re authoring every test by hand.
  • They diverge on capability: Backendless covers REST API, mabl covers Trainer recorder.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 31 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Backendless and mabl actually diverge.

Attributes where Backendless and mabl differ
AttributeBackendlessmabl
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelUnknownquote
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsCloud, Visual builderWeb, macOS, Windows, Linux
CategoryAPIsTesting
Founded2012Unknown

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated).

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

  • REST API
  • Real-time database
  • Cloud code
  • Custom integrations
  • Webhooks
  • Cloud functions
  • Cloud support
  • Visual builder support

Only in mabl

  • Trainer recorder
  • Auto healing selectors
  • API testing
  • Accessibility checks
  • Cross browser cloud runs
  • CI and issue tracker hooks

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Backendless

  • API Developmentnot mabl
  • API Gatewaynot mabl
  • API Testingnot mabl
  • API Documentationnot mabl
  • Microservicesnot mabl

mabl

  • A QA team of two or three people responsible for regression coverage across a web application released weeklynot Backendless
  • An organisation that abandoned a Selenium suite because maintenance consumed more time than manual testing didnot Backendless
  • Teams that need accessibility scanning and functional regression reported in the same runnot Backendless
  • Product companies where non engineers, such as support or business analysts, are expected to author testsnot 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

mabl

  • Tests are stored in a proprietary format and cannot be exported as runnable code, so migrating to Playwright or Cypress later means re authoring every test by hand.
  • Auto healing can mask a genuine defect: if an element is removed and a similar one takes its place, the test adapts and passes when a user facing regression has actually shipped.
  • Pricing is not published and is driven by concurrent run capacity, so the cost of shortening a two hour suite to twenty minutes is a renegotiation rather than a configuration change.
  • Debugging a failure happens inside a hosted runner you do not control, which makes flakiness caused by test data or environment timing harder to reproduce locally than with a suite you run yourself.
  • Native mobile application coverage is thin compared with the browser product, so teams with an iOS or Android app still need a second tool such as Appium or Maestro.

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

mabl

On request
  • mabl$undefined/year
    • Annual subscription quoted per organisation, with the number of concurrent cloud runs as the main cost driver
    • Trial available without a sales call, full pricing is not published

Which should you pick?

Choose Backendless if

  • You need rest api.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Cloud, Visual builder.
  • You also want real-time database.
Backendless review

Choose mabl if

  • You need trainer recorder.
  • You work on Web, macOS, Windows, Linux.
  • You also want auto healing selectors.
mabl review

Questions people ask

Is Backendless or mabl better?
Neither clearly leads. Backendless starts at Free and mabl at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Backendless or mabl?
Backendless has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Backendless and On request for mabl.
Does Backendless or mabl run on more platforms?
Backendless runs on Cloud, Visual builder. mabl runs on Web, macOS, Windows, Linux.
Can I use Backendless for free?
Yes. Backendless has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. mabl starts at On request.
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 mabl is typically brought in for.
What can Backendless do that mabl cannot?
Backendless covers REST API, Real-time database, Cloud code, Custom integrations. mabl covers Trainer recorder, Auto healing selectors, API testing, Accessibility checks.

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.

Source
mabl: Can I export mabl tests to Playwright if we leave?

No. You can export documentation of the steps, but not runnable code. Budget for re authoring the suite.

Backendless: 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.

Source
mabl: Does auto healing actually work?

It works often enough to be the reason people buy it, but it cannot be verified from a demo. Trial it against your own application through at least two real releases.

Backendless: 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.

Source
mabl: Is mabl a replacement for unit tests?

No. It covers end to end journeys through a running application. Unit and integration coverage still belongs in your repository.

Backendless: Does Backendless support offline functionality?

Backendless supports real-time sync and offline capabilities for mobile apps, allowing data to sync when connectivity is restored.

Source
Backendless: 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.

Source
Backendless: 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
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