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APIs · head to head

Backendless vs Tribe Payments

Backendless logo

Backendless

APIs

Visual app development platform with REST APIs and cloud backend

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Tribe Payments logo

Tribe Payments

APIs

Combined issuer and acquirer processing platform for fintechs, banks and acquirers

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; Tribe Payments running both issuing and acquiring through one vendor concentrates operational risk, since a platform fault affects both sides of a client's card business at once rather than just one.
  • They diverge on capability: Backendless covers REST API, Tribe Payments covers ISAAC core platform.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Backendless and Tribe Payments actually diverge.

Attributes where Backendless and Tribe Payments differ
AttributeBackendlessTribe Payments
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelUnknownquote
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsCloud, Visual builderWeb, API
Founded2012Unknown

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

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 Tribe Payments

  • ISAAC core platform
  • Issuer processing
  • Acquirer processing
  • Multi-scheme connectivity
  • Open banking module
  • 3D Secure and fraud tooling

What people use each for

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

Backendless

  • API Developmentnot Tribe Payments
  • API Gatewaynot Tribe Payments
  • API Testingnot Tribe Payments
  • API Documentationnot Tribe Payments
  • Microservicesnot Tribe Payments

Tribe Payments

  • A bank or fintech wanting to run both card issuing and merchant acquiring on one processing platformnot Backendless
  • A payment facilitator consolidating separate issuing and acquiring vendor relationships into one contractnot Backendless
  • A company needing multi-scheme processing across Visa, Mastercard and regional networks like UnionPaynot Backendless
  • An Asia-Pacific expansion where Tribe's Singapore office provides regional supportnot 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

Tribe Payments

  • Running both issuing and acquiring through one vendor concentrates operational risk, since a platform fault affects both sides of a client's card business at once rather than just one.
  • Pricing for either the issuing or acquiring modules is not published, so budgeting requires a sales conversation.
  • With roughly 60-plus customers, it is smaller scale than Visa or Mastercard-owned processing infrastructure, which is a factor for a client prioritising vendor size and track record.
  • Its client base and support depth are concentrated in the UK and continental Europe, and the Asia-Pacific presence via Singapore is comparatively newer and less proven.
  • As with any combined issuing and acquiring platform, a client that only needs one side still evaluates and pays for a vendor built around doing both, which may not be the most specialised option available.

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

Tribe Payments

On request
  • Tribe Payments$undefined/year
    • Pricing not published for issuing or acquiring modules
    • Custom quote required via sales

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 Tribe Payments if

  • You need isaac core platform.
  • You work on Web, API.
  • You also want issuer processing.
Tribe Payments review

Questions people ask

Is Backendless or Tribe Payments better?
Neither clearly leads. Backendless starts at Free and Tribe Payments at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Backendless or Tribe Payments?
Backendless has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Backendless and On request for Tribe Payments.
Does Backendless or Tribe Payments run on more platforms?
Backendless runs on Cloud, Visual builder. Tribe Payments runs on Web, API.
Can I use Backendless for free?
Yes. Backendless has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Tribe Payments 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 Tribe Payments is typically brought in for.
What can Backendless do that Tribe Payments cannot?
Backendless covers REST API, Real-time database, Cloud code, Custom integrations. Tribe Payments covers ISAAC core platform, Issuer processing, Acquirer processing, Multi-scheme connectivity.

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
Tribe Payments: Does Tribe do both issuing and acquiring?

Yes, its ISAAC platform supports both, built for issuing in 2019 and acquiring from 2020.

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
Tribe Payments: How many card schemes does it support?

Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Discover, JCB and UnionPay.

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
Tribe Payments: Where is its customer base concentrated?

The UK and continental Europe, with a newer Singapore office serving Asia-Pacific.

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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