API Management · head to head
Parse Server vs Akana
Parse Server
API Management
Open-source Backend as a Service platform with REST and GraphQL APIs
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
Akana
API Management
Enterprise API lifecycle management platform
- From
- $2500/monthly
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only Parse Server has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Parse Server deployment complexity and scaling challenges require operational expertise; Akana owned by Perforce and sold within their portfolio rather than independently, and akana.com redirects to perforce.com
- They diverge on capability: Parse Server covers REST API, Akana covers API Lifecycle Management.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Parse Server and Akana actually diverge.
| Attribute | Parse Server | Akana |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | $2500/monthly |
| Pricing model | open-source | subscription |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Platforms | Node.js, Express, REST API, GraphQL API | Cloud, On-premise, Hybrid |
| Founded | 2011 | 2001 |
Identical on both: 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 Parse Server
- REST API
- GraphQL API
- Authentication
- Node.js
- Cloud functions
- File storage
- Webhooks
- Node.js support
Only in Akana
- API Lifecycle Management
- API Security
- Governance Controls
- OAuth
- SAML
- LDAP
- Active Directory
- Cloud support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Parse Server
- API Developmentnot Akana
- API Gatewaynot Akana
- API Testingnot Akana
- API Documentationnot Akana
- Microservicesnot Akana
Akana
- API lifecycle management across REST, SOAP and GraphQLnot Parse Server
- Applying OAuth, JWT and SAML policies at the gatewaynot Parse Server
- Running the same platform on-premises, in Kubernetes or across cloudsnot Parse Server
- Developer portal and API monetisationnot Parse Server
- Monitoring API traffic and enforcing quotasnot Parse Server
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
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
Akana
- Owned by Perforce and sold within their portfolio rather than independently, and akana.com redirects to perforce.com
- Pricing is not published; only a 30 day trial is offered
Pricing, plan by plan
Parse Server
Free- Open SourceFree
- Self-hosted Parse Server
- Community support
Akana
$2500/monthly- Professional$2500/monthly
- API Gateway
- Developer Portal
- Basic analytics
- Enterprise$5000/monthly
- Advanced governance
- Multi-cloud support
- Premium support
- Custom$undefined/monthly
- Custom solutions
- Dedicated support
- SLA guarantee
Which should you pick?
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.
Choose Akana if
- You need api lifecycle management.
- You work on Cloud, On-premise, Hybrid.
- You also want api security.
Questions people ask
- Is Parse Server or Akana better?
- Neither clearly leads. Parse Server starts at Free and Akana at $2500/monthly, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Parse Server or Akana?
- Parse Server has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Parse Server and $2500/monthly for Akana.
- Does Parse Server or Akana run on more platforms?
- Parse Server runs on Node.js, Express, REST API, GraphQL API. Akana runs on Cloud, On-premise, Hybrid.
- Can I use Parse Server for free?
- Yes. Parse Server has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Akana starts at $2500/monthly.
- What is Parse Server best used for?
- Parse Server is most often used for api development, api gateway, api testing, api documentation. Of those, api development and api gateway are not what Akana is typically brought in for.
- What can Parse Server do that Akana cannot?
- Parse Server covers REST API, GraphQL API, Authentication, Node.js. Akana covers API Lifecycle Management, API Security, Governance Controls, OAuth.
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.