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APIs · head to head

Parse Server vs Passbolt

Parse Server logo

Parse Server

APIs

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

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Passbolt logo

Passbolt

Cybersecurity

Open-source password manager for teams with self-hosted or cloud deployment

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Parse Server deployment complexity and scaling challenges require operational expertise; Passbolt pro Edition requires a minimum of 10 users, making it costlier for very small teams.
  • They diverge on capability: Parse Server covers REST API, Passbolt covers Password sharing and folders.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Parse Server and Passbolt differ
AttributeParse ServerPassbolt
PlatformsNode.js, Express, REST API, GraphQL APIweb, windows, mac, linux, api
CategoryAPIsCybersecurity
Founded2011Unknown

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (open-source), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated).

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 Passbolt

  • Password sharing and folders
  • Groups and role-based access
  • Browser extensions and CLI
  • Open API
  • LDAP provisioning and SSO
  • Activity audit log

What people use each for

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

Parse Server

  • API Developmentnot Passbolt
  • API Gatewaynot Passbolt
  • API Testingnot Passbolt
  • API Documentationnot Passbolt
  • Microservicesnot Passbolt

Passbolt

  • Self-hosting a team password manager for data sovereigntynot Parse Server
  • Provisioning vault access from an existing LDAP/AD directorynot Parse Server
  • Sharing credentials across engineering or IT teams via folders and groupsnot Parse Server
  • Automating credential retrieval through the CLI or open APInot 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

Passbolt

  • Pro Edition requires a minimum of 10 users, making it costlier for very small teams.
  • Community Edition lacks SSO and LDAP provisioning, which many organizations need for onboarding at scale.
  • Self-hosting the Community Edition requires infrastructure and maintenance effort compared to fully managed competitors.
  • Enterprise-tier support and HA consulting require custom, quote-based pricing rather than transparent rates.

Pricing, plan by plan

Parse Server

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

Passbolt

Free
  • Community EditionFree
    • Unlimited users
    • Password sharing and folders
    • Role-based access control
  • Pro Edition$4.9/month
    • Minimum 10 users, billed annually
    • LDAP/AD provisioning
    • Single sign-on
  • Enterprise Edition$undefined/month
    • High availability and disaster recovery consulting
    • White-glove migration
    • Custom feature development

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.
Parse Server review

Choose Passbolt if

  • You need password sharing and folders.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on web, windows, mac, linux, api.
  • You also want groups and role-based access.
Passbolt review

Questions people ask

Is Parse Server or Passbolt better?
Neither clearly leads. Parse Server starts at Free and Passbolt at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Parse Server or Passbolt?
Parse Server starts at Free and Passbolt at Free.
Does Parse Server or Passbolt run on more platforms?
Parse Server runs on Node.js, Express, REST API, GraphQL API. Passbolt runs on web, windows, mac, linux, api.
Can I use Parse Server for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
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 Passbolt is typically brought in for.
What can Parse Server do that Passbolt cannot?
Parse Server covers REST API, GraphQL API, Authentication, Node.js. Passbolt covers Password sharing and folders, Groups and role-based access, Browser extensions and CLI, Open API.

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.

Passbolt: Is Passbolt free to use?

Yes. The Community Edition is free forever with unlimited users, including password sharing, folders, groups, role-based access, browser extensions, a CLI, and an open API.

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.

Passbolt: What does the Pro Edition cost and add?

Pro Edition costs $4.90 per user per month billed annually, with a 10-user minimum, and adds LDAP/AD provisioning, single sign-on, account recovery escrow, activity audit logs, and next-business-day support.

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
Passbolt: What license is Passbolt distributed under?

All Passbolt editions, including Pro and Enterprise, are distributed under the AGPL v3 open-source license.

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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