Softwr

API Management · head to head

Backendless vs Paragon

Backendless logo

Backendless

API Management

Visual app development platform with REST APIs and cloud backend

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Paragon logo

Paragon

Automation & Integration

Embedded integration platform for SaaS

From
$299/month
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; Paragon no price is published for either plan, and both require a quote
  • They diverge on capability: Backendless covers REST API, Paragon covers Embedded workflows.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Backendless and Paragon actually diverge.

Attributes where Backendless and Paragon differ
AttributeBackendlessParagon
Starting priceFree$299/month
Pricing modelUnknownsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsCloud, Visual builderWeb, Embedded
CategoryAPI ManagementAutomation & Integration
Founded20122021

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
  • Cloud functions
  • Cloud support
  • Visual builder support

Only in Paragon

  • Embedded workflows
  • Native integrations
  • Workflow builder
  • Error handling
  • Monitoring
  • Analytics
  • 500+ apps
  • Salesforce

Both cover

  • Custom integrations
  • Webhooks

What people use each for

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

Backendless

  • API Developmentnot Paragon
  • API Gatewaynot Paragon
  • API Testingnot Paragon
  • API Documentationnot Paragon
  • Microservicesnot Paragon

Paragon

  • Embedding third party integrations into a SaaS productnot Backendless
  • Managing customer facing connectors without building each onenot 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

Paragon

  • No price is published for either plan, and both require a quote
  • Cost scales with the number of customer tenants using the integrations, so the bill follows an end customer count rather than the vendor's own usage
  • SAML SSO, self hosting, dynamic field mapping and SLAs are all Enterprise only

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

Paragon

$299/month
  • Starter$299/month
    • 50 integrations
    • Basic support
  • Growth$999/month
    • 200 integrations
    • Priority support
  • Enterprise$5000/month
    • Unlimited integrations
    • Dedicated support

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 Paragon if

  • You need embedded workflows.
  • You work on Web, Embedded.
  • You also want native integrations.
Paragon review

Questions people ask

Is Backendless or Paragon better?
Neither clearly leads. Backendless starts at Free and Paragon at $299/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Backendless or Paragon?
Backendless has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Backendless and $299/month for Paragon.
Does Backendless or Paragon run on more platforms?
Backendless runs on Cloud, Visual builder. Paragon runs on Web, Embedded.
Can I use Backendless for free?
Yes. Backendless has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Paragon starts at $299/month.
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 Paragon is typically brought in for.
What can Backendless do that Paragon cannot?
Backendless covers REST API, Real-time database, Cloud code, Cloud functions. Paragon covers Embedded workflows, Native integrations, Workflow builder, Error handling. Both handle Custom integrations, 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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