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Backendless vs n8n

Backendless logo

Backendless

Software

Visual app development platform with REST APIs and cloud backend

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
n8n logo

n8n

Software

The fair-code workflow automation tool

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Backendless free tier limited to 50 API requests per minute and 20 database tables; n8n starter tier limited to 1 project and 5 concurrent executions
  • They diverge on capability: Backendless covers Real-time database, n8n covers Workflow automation.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Backendless and n8n actually diverge.

Attributes where Backendless and n8n differ
AttributeBackendlessn8n
Pricing modelUnknownfreemium
PlatformsCloud, Visual builderWeb, Docker, Self-hosted
Founded20122019

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
  • Cloud functions
  • Cloud support
  • Visual builder support

Only in n8n

  • Workflow automation
  • Visual editor
  • Conditional execution
  • Looping
  • Error handling
  • Scheduling
  • 400+ integrations
  • HTTP requests

Both cover

  • REST API
  • Webhooks

What people use each for

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

Backendless

  • API Developmentnot n8n
  • API Gatewaynot n8n
  • API Testingnot n8n
  • API Documentationnot n8n
  • Microservicesnot n8n

n8n

  • Building AI agents and workflow automation for technical teamsnot Backendless
  • Visual workflow design with capability to write custom JavaScript or Python codenot Backendless
  • Enterprise deployments with self-hosted or cloud optionsnot Backendless
  • Integrating 500+ pre-built applications with custom API connectionsnot 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

n8n

  • Starter tier limited to 1 project and 5 concurrent executions
  • Starter and Pro tiers restricted to Cloud hosting only, not self-hosted
  • Business tier requires 6 months minimum commitment at €667/month
  • SSO/SAML/LDAP authentication requires Business or Enterprise tier
  • Dedicated support with SLA available only on Enterprise plan

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

n8n

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the n8n 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.
Backendless review

Choose n8n if

  • You need workflow automation.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Docker, Self-hosted.
  • You also want visual editor.
n8n review

Questions people ask

Is Backendless or n8n better?
Neither clearly leads. Backendless starts at Free and n8n at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Backendless or n8n?
Backendless starts at Free and n8n at Free.
Does Backendless or n8n run on more platforms?
Backendless runs on Cloud, Visual builder. n8n runs on Web, Docker, Self-hosted.
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 n8n is typically brought in for.
What can Backendless do that n8n cannot?
Backendless covers Real-time database, Cloud code, Custom integrations, Cloud functions. n8n covers Workflow automation, Visual editor, Conditional execution, Looping. Both handle REST API, Webhooks.

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
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
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
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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Related pages

More on Backendless

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