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APIs · head to head

Parse Server vs Saleor

Parse Server logo

Parse Server

APIs

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

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Saleor logo

Saleor

E-Commerce

Open-source, headless e-commerce platform with a GraphQL API

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Parse Server deployment complexity and scaling challenges require operational expertise; Saleor saleor requires development resources to build a storefront, since it ships as an API-only backend without a front-end store out of the box.
  • They diverge on capability: Parse Server covers REST API, Saleor covers Admin dashboard.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Parse Server and Saleor differ
AttributeParse ServerSaleor
PlatformsNode.js, Express, REST API, GraphQL APIweb, api
CategoryAPIsE-Commerce
Founded20112019

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
  • Authentication
  • Node.js
  • Cloud functions
  • File storage
  • Webhooks
  • Node.js support
  • Self-hosted support

Only in Saleor

  • Admin dashboard
  • Webhooks and apps
  • Omnichannel order processing
  • Configurator CLI
  • OpenTelemetry tracing
  • OpenID Connect support

Both cover

  • GraphQL API

What people use each for

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

Parse Server

  • API Developmentnot Saleor
  • API Gatewaynot Saleor
  • API Testingnot Saleor
  • API Documentationnot Saleor
  • Microservicesnot Saleor

Saleor

  • Custom headless storefrontsnot Parse Server
  • Composable commerce architecturesnot Parse Server
  • Omnichannel retail and B2B commercenot Parse Server
  • Developer-built e-commerce requiring deep API accessnot 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

Saleor

  • Saleor requires development resources to build a storefront, since it ships as an API-only backend without a front-end store out of the box.
  • Self-hosting requires managing infrastructure, scaling, and updates, which adds operational overhead compared to fully managed platforms.
  • Saleor Cloud's paid tiers start at $1,599/month, making the managed offering costly for small merchants compared to typical SaaS store builders.
  • The GraphQL-first, code-driven approach has a steeper learning curve for non-technical users than drag-and-drop e-commerce builders.

Pricing, plan by plan

Parse Server

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

Saleor

Free
  • Sandboxes (Cloud)Free
    • Free forever tier for prototyping and development
  • Select (Cloud)$1599/month
    • Up to $200,000 GMV monthly
    • 0.8% fee on orders exceeding GMV limit
    • Dedicated Slack channel
  • Volume (Cloud)$3999/month
    • Up to $1,000,000 GMV monthly
    • 0.4% fee on orders exceeding GMV limit
    • Dedicated Slack channel
  • Enterprise (Cloud)$undefined/mo
    • Custom GMV limits
    • Fees negotiable as low as 0.2%
    • Project delivery lead

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 authentication.
Parse Server review

Choose Saleor if

  • You need admin dashboard.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on web, api.
  • You also want webhooks and apps.
Saleor review

Questions people ask

Is Parse Server or Saleor better?
Neither clearly leads. Parse Server starts at Free and Saleor at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Parse Server or Saleor?
Parse Server starts at Free and Saleor at Free.
Does Parse Server or Saleor run on more platforms?
Parse Server runs on Node.js, Express, REST API, GraphQL API. Saleor runs on web, 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 Saleor is typically brought in for.
What can Parse Server do that Saleor cannot?
Parse Server covers REST API, Authentication, Node.js, Cloud functions. Saleor covers Admin dashboard, Webhooks and apps, Omnichannel order processing, Configurator CLI. Both handle GraphQL 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.

Saleor: Is Saleor free to use?

Yes. Saleor is open source under the BSD-3-Clause license and can be self-hosted for free. Saleor Cloud also offers a free Sandboxes tier for prototyping and development.

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.

Saleor: How much does Saleor Cloud cost?

Saleor Cloud paid plans start at $1,599/month for the Select plan (up to $200,000 monthly GMV), with Volume at $3,999/month and custom Enterprise pricing for larger merchants.

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
Saleor: Does Saleor provide a storefront out of the box?

No. Saleor is an API-only, headless commerce backend built on GraphQL; storefronts must be built separately using the API and are not bundled with the platform.

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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