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APIs · head to head

Parse Server vs Portkey

Parse Server logo

Parse Server

APIs

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

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Portkey logo

Portkey

APIs

Observe, govern, and secure every AI interaction across your enterprise

From
On request
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: Parse Server deployment complexity and scaling challenges require operational expertise; Portkey the free Developer tier records only 10,000 logs per month with 3 day log retention; the $49 per month Production tier raises that to 100,000 logs with $9 per additional 100,000 requests, as of August 2026.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Parse Server and Portkey differ
AttributeParse ServerPortkey
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelopen-sourceUnknown
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsNode.js, Express, REST API, GraphQL APIWeb
Founded2011Unknown

Identical on both: 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 Parse Server

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

Only in Portkey

Nothing recorded that Parse Server does not also cover.

What people use each for

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

Parse Server

  • API Developmentnot Portkey
  • API Gatewaynot Portkey
  • API Testingnot Portkey
  • API Documentationnot Portkey
  • Microservicesnot Portkey

Portkey

  • Accessing 1,600+ language models through unified API gatewaynot Parse Server
  • Monitoring and observing LLM behavior in production environmentsnot Parse Server
  • Managing costs and setting budget limits for AI spendingnot Parse Server
  • Implementing guardrails and PII redaction for secure AI interactionsnot 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

Portkey

  • The free Developer tier records only 10,000 logs per month with 3 day log retention; the $49 per month Production tier raises that to 100,000 logs with $9 per additional 100,000 requests, as of August 2026.

Pricing, plan by plan

Parse Server

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

Portkey

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Portkey review.

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 Portkey if

Nothing in the data separates Portkey from Parse Server on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.

Portkey review

Questions people ask

Is Parse Server or Portkey better?
Neither clearly leads. Parse Server starts at Free and Portkey at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Parse Server or Portkey?
Parse Server has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Parse Server and On request for Portkey.
Does Parse Server or Portkey run on more platforms?
Parse Server runs on Node.js, Express, REST API, GraphQL API. Portkey runs on Web.
Can I use Parse Server for free?
Yes. Parse Server has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Portkey starts at On request.
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 Portkey is typically brought in for.
What can Parse Server do that Portkey cannot?
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.

Portkey: What happens if I exceed my Portkey plan's request limit?

Production tier ($49/month) charges $9 per additional 100,000 requests beyond the included 100,000. Enterprise customers have custom limits determined through their service agreement. Source: https://portkey.ai/pricing

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.

Portkey: Can I self-host Portkey to avoid per-request billing?

Yes. Portkey offers an Open Source self-hosted version with unlimited requests at no cost, including universal API, routing, guardrails, and load balancing features. Source: https://portkey.ai/pricing

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
Portkey: How long does Portkey retain my logs and metrics?

Free Developer tier retains logs 3 days and metrics 30 days. Production tier retains logs 30 days and metrics 90 days. Enterprise tier offers custom retention periods. Source: https://portkey.ai/pricing

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
Portkey: What compliance features are included in the Enterprise plan?

Enterprise tier includes SOC2 Type 2 certification, GDPR compliance, HIPAA compliance, VPC hosting, SSO, advanced guardrails, and dedicated support. Custom pricing required. Source: https://portkey.ai/pricing

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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