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Parse Server vs Razorpay

Parse Server logo

Parse Server

Software

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

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
R

Razorpay

Software

Accept, process and disburse payments with India's leading payments platform

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; Razorpay international card payments cost up to 3% per transaction versus 2% domestically, per razorpay.com/pricing (Aug 2026), and an 18% GST is added on top of the platform fee

Where they differ

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

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

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 Parse Server

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

Only in Razorpay

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 Razorpay
  • API Gatewaynot Razorpay
  • API Testingnot Razorpay
  • API Documentationnot Razorpay
  • Microservicesnot Razorpay

Razorpay

No use cases recorded yet. See the Razorpay review.

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

Razorpay

  • International card payments cost up to 3% per transaction versus 2% domestically, per razorpay.com/pricing (Aug 2026), and an 18% GST is added on top of the platform fee
  • Instant refunds cost between Rs. 7.99 and Rs. 14.99 per refund on top of the transaction fee, per Razorpay's own pricing page; standard refunds are free but instant ones are not

Pricing, plan by plan

Parse Server

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

Razorpay

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Razorpay 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 Razorpay if

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

Razorpay review

Questions people ask

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

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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