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APIs · head to head

Hasura vs Parse Server

Hasura logo

Hasura

APIs

GraphQL engine that instantly creates production-ready GraphQL API from databases

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Parse Server logo

Parse Server

APIs

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

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Hasura active model definition: model/command accessed more than 1,000 times monthly; Parse Server deployment complexity and scaling challenges require operational expertise
  • They diverge on capability: Hasura covers Real-time subscriptions, Parse Server covers REST API.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Hasura and Parse Server differ
AttributeHasuraParse Server
Pricing modelfreemiumopen-source
PlatformsWebNode.js, Express, REST API, GraphQL API
Founded20172011

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), 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 Hasura

  • Real-time subscriptions
  • Access control
  • PostgreSQL
  • MySQL
  • REST APIs
  • Cloud support
  • Kubernetes support

Only in Parse Server

  • REST API
  • Authentication
  • Node.js
  • Cloud functions
  • File storage
  • Node.js support

Both cover

  • GraphQL API
  • Webhooks
  • Self-hosted support
  • Docker support

What people use each for

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

Hasura

  • Automatic GraphQL API generation from existing databasesnot Parse Server
  • Real-time data subscriptions for modern applicationsnot Parse Server
  • Backend infrastructure for web and mobile applicationsnot Parse Server
  • Event-triggered webhooks for database changesnot Parse Server

Parse Server

  • API Developmentnot Hasura
  • API Gatewaynot Hasura
  • API Testingnot Hasura
  • API Documentationnot Hasura
  • Microservicesnot Hasura

Where each one falls short

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

Hasura

  • Active model definition: model/command accessed more than 1,000 times monthly
  • Private DDN requires Base or Advanced plan

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

Hasura

Free
  • DDN FreeFree
    • Unlimited models
    • 1 supergraph developer
    • 15-minute observability retention
  • DDN Base$5/month
    • Per active model billing
    • Unlimited developers
    • 30-day observability retention
  • DDN Advanced$30/month
    • Per active model billing
    • Federated collaboration
    • Multi-repo CI/CD

Parse Server

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

Which should you pick?

Choose Hasura if

  • You need real-time subscriptions.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want access control.
Hasura 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 authentication.
Parse Server review

Questions people ask

Is Hasura or Parse Server better?
Neither clearly leads. Hasura starts at Free and Parse Server at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Hasura or Parse Server?
Hasura starts at Free and Parse Server at Free.
Does Hasura or Parse Server run on more platforms?
Hasura runs on Web. Parse Server runs on Node.js, Express, REST API, GraphQL API.
Can I use Hasura for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Hasura best used for?
Hasura is most often used for automatic graphql api generation from existing databases, real-time data subscriptions for modern applications, backend infrastructure for web and mobile applications, event-triggered webhooks for database changes. Of those, automatic graphql api generation from existing databases and real-time data subscriptions for modern applications are not what Parse Server is typically brought in for.
What can Hasura do that Parse Server cannot?
Hasura covers Real-time subscriptions, Access control, PostgreSQL, MySQL. Parse Server covers REST API, Authentication, Node.js, Cloud functions. Both handle GraphQL API, Webhooks, Self-hosted support, Docker support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Hasura: How much does Hasura cost?

Hasura DDN Free is free. DDN Base starts at $5/active model/month, and DDN Advanced starts at $30/active model/month.

Source
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.

Hasura: What is an active model in Hasura pricing?

An active model is defined as any model or command accessed more than 1,000 times monthly.

Source
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.

Hasura: Is there a free version of Hasura?

Yes, Hasura DDN Free is always free and includes unlimited models, 1 supergraph developer, and 15-minute observability retention.

Source
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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