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Paragon vs Parse Server

Paragon logo

Paragon

Software

Embedded integration platform for SaaS

From
$299/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Parse Server logo

Parse Server

Software

Open-source Backend as a Service platform with REST and GraphQL APIs

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Parse Server has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Paragon no price is published for either plan, and both require a quote; Parse Server deployment complexity and scaling challenges require operational expertise
  • They diverge on capability: Paragon covers Embedded workflows, Parse Server covers REST API.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Paragon and Parse Server actually diverge.

Attributes where Paragon and Parse Server differ
AttributeParagonParse Server
Starting price$299/monthFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionopen-source
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWeb, EmbeddedNode.js, Express, REST API, GraphQL API
Founded20212011

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 Paragon

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

Only in Parse Server

  • REST API
  • GraphQL API
  • Authentication
  • Node.js
  • Cloud functions
  • File storage
  • Node.js support
  • Self-hosted support

Both cover

  • Webhooks

What people use each for

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

Paragon

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

Parse Server

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

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

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

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

Paragon

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

Parse Server

Free
  • Open SourceFree
    • Self-hosted Parse Server
    • Community support

Which should you pick?

Choose Paragon if

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

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.
Parse Server review

Questions people ask

Is Paragon or Parse Server better?
Neither clearly leads. Paragon starts at $299/month and Parse Server at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Paragon or Parse Server?
Parse Server has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $299/month for Paragon and Free for Parse Server.
Does Paragon or Parse Server run on more platforms?
Paragon runs on Web, Embedded. 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. Paragon starts at $299/month.
What is Paragon best used for?
Paragon is most often used for embedding third party integrations into a saas product, managing customer facing connectors without building each one. Of those, embedding third party integrations into a saas product and managing customer facing connectors without building each one are not what Parse Server is typically brought in for.
What can Paragon do that Parse Server cannot?
Paragon covers Embedded workflows, Native integrations, Workflow builder, Error handling. Parse Server covers REST API, GraphQL API, Authentication, Node.js. Both handle Webhooks.

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.

Source
Parse 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.

Source
Parse 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.

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Related pages

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