Softwr

API Management · head to head

Backendless vs Tyk

Backendless logo

Backendless

API Management

Visual app development platform with REST APIs and cloud backend

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Tyk logo

Tyk

API Management

Open-source API gateway and API management platform

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; Tyk no plan publishes a price, so every tier requires contacting sales
  • They diverge on capability: Backendless covers REST API, Tyk covers API Gateway.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Backendless and Tyk actually diverge.

Attributes where Backendless and Tyk differ
AttributeBackendlessTyk
Pricing modelUnknownopen-source
PlatformsCloud, Visual builderLinux, Docker, Kubernetes, Cloud
Founded20122013

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (API Management).

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
  • Visual builder support

Only in Tyk

  • API Gateway
  • Rate Limiting
  • Authentication
  • Kubernetes
  • Docker
  • AWS
  • Azure
  • Linux support

Both cover

  • Cloud support

What people use each for

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

Backendless

  • API Developmentnot Tyk
  • API Gatewaynot Tyk
  • API Testingnot Tyk
  • API Documentationnot Tyk
  • Microservicesnot Tyk

Tyk

  • Running an open source API gateway self managed, hybrid or in the cloudnot Backendless
  • Governing APIs across regulated or multi region environmentsnot 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

Tyk

  • No plan publishes a price, so every tier requires contacting sales
  • Multi region and multi cloud deployment are Enterprise only
  • Custom support SLAs and a named customer success manager are 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

Tyk

Free
  • CommunityFree
    • Core gateway
    • Community support
  • Cloud Pro$100/monthly
    • Managed cloud
    • Analytics
    • API portal
  • Cloud Enterprise$500/monthly
    • Advanced features
    • Dedicated support
    • Custom SLA

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 Tyk if

  • You need api gateway.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, Docker, Kubernetes, Cloud.
  • You also want rate limiting.
Tyk review

Questions people ask

Is Backendless or Tyk better?
Neither clearly leads. Backendless starts at Free and Tyk at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Backendless or Tyk?
Backendless starts at Free and Tyk at Free.
Does Backendless or Tyk run on more platforms?
Backendless runs on Cloud, Visual builder. Tyk runs on Linux, Docker, Kubernetes, Cloud.
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 Tyk is typically brought in for.
What can Backendless do that Tyk cannot?
Backendless covers REST API, Real-time database, Cloud code, Custom integrations. Tyk covers API Gateway, Rate Limiting, Authentication, Kubernetes. Both handle 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.

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

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