Software · head to head
Gladly vs Parse Server

Parse Server
Software
Open-source Backend as a Service platform with REST and GraphQL APIs
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only Parse Server has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Gladly no pricing is published at any level, and the pricing page states no per agent cost, per conversation rate, minimum commitment or feature tiers; Parse Server deployment complexity and scaling challenges require operational expertise
- They diverge on capability: Gladly covers Lifelong conversation, Parse Server covers REST API.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Gladly and Parse Server actually diverge.
| Attribute | Gladly | Parse Server |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $180/month | Free |
| Pricing model | subscription | open-source |
| Free tier | No | Yes |
| Platforms | Web, Ios, Android | Node.js, Express, REST API, GraphQL API |
| Founded | 2014 | 2011 |
Identical on both: 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 Gladly
- Lifelong conversation
- Omnichannel support
- Customer timeline
- Task management
- Knowledge base
- IVR
- Shopify
- Salesforce
Only in Parse Server
- REST API
- GraphQL API
- Authentication
- Node.js
- Cloud functions
- File storage
- Webhooks
- Node.js support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Gladly
- Customer service built around a single customer record rather than ticketsnot Parse Server
- Handling support conversations across voice, messaging and emailnot Parse Server
Parse Server
- API Developmentnot Gladly
- API Gatewaynot Gladly
- API Testingnot Gladly
- API Documentationnot Gladly
- Microservicesnot Gladly
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Gladly
- No pricing is published at any level, and the pricing page states no per agent cost, per conversation rate, minimum commitment or feature tiers
- The pricing page presents outcome statistics in place of any cost information
- Every route to a figure goes through a demo or sales conversation
Parse Server
- Deployment complexity and scaling challenges require operational expertise
- Requires database management skills for MongoDB or PostgreSQL administration
- Smaller community and ecosystem compared to Firebase or cloud alternatives
- Query depth bypass vulnerability allowing denial-of-service attacks via complex REST/GraphQL queries
- Stored XSS vulnerability through SVG file uploads requires patching
Pricing, plan by plan
Gladly
$180/month- Hero$180/month
- All channels
- Customer timeline
- Knowledge base
- Superhero$210/month
- Everything in Hero
- Custom reporting
- Advanced rules
Parse Server
Free- Open SourceFree
- Self-hosted Parse Server
- Community support
Which should you pick?
Choose Gladly if
- You need lifelong conversation.
- You work on Web, Ios, Android.
- You also want omnichannel support.
Choose Parse Server if
- You need rest api.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Node.js, Express, REST API, GraphQL API.
- You also want graphql api.
Questions people ask
- Is Gladly or Parse Server better?
- Neither clearly leads. Gladly starts at $180/month and Parse Server at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Gladly or Parse Server?
- Parse Server has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $180/month for Gladly and Free for Parse Server.
- Does Gladly or Parse Server run on more platforms?
- Gladly runs on Web, Ios, Android. Parse Server runs on Node.js, Express, REST API, GraphQL API.
- Can I use Parse Server for free?
- Yes. Parse Server has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Gladly starts at $180/month.
- What is Gladly best used for?
- Gladly is most often used for customer service built around a single customer record rather than tickets, handling support conversations across voice, messaging and email. Of those, customer service built around a single customer record rather than tickets and handling support conversations across voice, messaging and email are not what Parse Server is typically brought in for.
- What can Gladly do that Parse Server cannot?
- Gladly covers Lifelong conversation, Omnichannel support, Customer timeline, Task management. Parse Server covers REST API, GraphQL API, Authentication, Node.js.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Parse Server: Is Parse Server self-hosted or cloud-managed?
Parse Server is entirely self-hosted and open-source, running on your own infrastructure with no monthly subscription required; you manage the MongoDB or PostgreSQL database and deployment.
Parse Server: What databases does Parse Server support?
Parse Server works with MongoDB and PostgreSQL as data stores, giving you flexibility to choose your preferred database system for your application.
Parse Server: What APIs does Parse Server provide?
Parse Server automatically generates both REST and GraphQL APIs based on your application schema, and you can extend these with custom queries, mutations, and remote schemas.
SourceParse Server: What SDKs are available for Parse Server?
Parse provides native SDKs for iOS (Swift/Objective-C), Android, JavaScript/Node.js, PHP, and .NET, plus REST and GraphQL access for any other platform.
SourceParse Server: Does Parse Server include user authentication?
Yes. Parse Server includes out-of-the-box user management with support for email/password authentication, OAuth providers (Facebook, Twitter, Google, GitHub, LDAP), push notifications, and campaigns.
Related pages
More on Parse Server
Keep looking
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- Parse Server vs Salesforce Service Cloud
- Parse Server vs Zendesk
- Parse Server vs 8x8 Contact Center
- Parse Server vs Amazon Connect
- Parse Server vs BMC Helix
- Parse Server vs Chatwoot
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- Parse Server vs DelightChat
- Parse Server vs Dialpad Contact Center
- Parse Server vs Dixa
- Parse Server vs Freshservice
- Parse Server vs HappyFox
- Parse Server vs Appwrite
- Parse Server vs Hasura
- Parse Server vs PocketBase
- Parse Server vs Sanity
- Parse Server vs Apigee
- Parse Server vs Bruno
- Parse Server vs KeystoneJS
- Parse Server vs Stoplight
- Parse Server vs Strapi
- Parse Server vs Swagger/OpenAPI
- Parse Server vs Thunder Client
- Parse Server vs WSO2 API Manager
- Parse Server vs 3scale
- Parse Server vs Akana
- Parse Server vs Asyncapi
- Parse Server vs AWS API Gateway
- Parse Server vs Microsoft Azure API Management
- Parse Server vs Backendless

