API Management · head to head
Parse Server vs SamCart

Parse Server
API Management
Open-source Backend as a Service platform with REST and GraphQL APIs
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
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; SamCart plans start at $79 per month, and features like subscription saver and A/B testing are reserved for the higher $199 per month Scale tier
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Parse Server and SamCart actually diverge.
| Attribute | Parse Server | SamCart |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | On request |
| Pricing model | open-source | subscription |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Platforms | Node.js, Express, REST API, GraphQL API | Web |
| Category | API Management | E-commerce |
| Founded | 2011 | Unknown |
Identical on both: 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 SamCart
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 SamCart
- API Gatewaynot SamCart
- API Testingnot SamCart
- API Documentationnot SamCart
- Microservicesnot SamCart
SamCart
No use cases recorded yet. See the SamCart 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
SamCart
- Plans start at $79 per month, and features like subscription saver and A/B testing are reserved for the higher $199 per month Scale tier
Pricing, plan by plan
Parse Server
Free- Open SourceFree
- Self-hosted Parse Server
- Community support
SamCart
On requestNo published plan breakdown. See the SamCart 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.
Choose SamCart if
Nothing in the data separates SamCart from Parse Server on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.
Questions people ask
- Is Parse Server or SamCart better?
- Neither clearly leads. Parse Server starts at Free and SamCart at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Parse Server or SamCart?
- Parse Server has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Parse Server and On request for SamCart.
- Does Parse Server or SamCart run on more platforms?
- Parse Server runs on Node.js, Express, REST API, GraphQL API. SamCart runs on Web.
- Can I use Parse Server for free?
- Yes. Parse Server has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. SamCart 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 SamCart is typically brought in for.
- What can Parse Server do that SamCart 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.
SourceParse 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.
SourceParse 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.
Related pages
More on Parse Server
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- Parse Server vs Checkout.com
- Parse Server vs eBay
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- Parse Server vs Loox
- Parse Server vs Razorpay
- Parse Server vs Stripe
- SamCart vs Appwrite
- SamCart vs Hasura
- SamCart vs PocketBase
- SamCart vs Sanity
- SamCart vs Apigee
- SamCart vs Bruno
- SamCart vs KeystoneJS
- SamCart vs Stoplight
- SamCart vs Strapi
- SamCart vs Swagger/OpenAPI
- SamCart vs Thunder Client
- SamCart vs WSO2 API Manager
- SamCart vs 3scale
- SamCart vs Akana
- SamCart vs Asyncapi
- SamCart vs AWS API Gateway
- SamCart vs Microsoft Azure API Management
- SamCart vs Backendless
- SamCart vs FullStory
- SamCart vs Hotjar
- SamCart vs Mailchimp
- SamCart vs Contentful
- SamCart vs Algolia
- SamCart vs Authorize.net
- SamCart vs Bluepark
- SamCart vs Braintree
- SamCart vs Checkout.com
- SamCart vs eBay
- SamCart vs Gumroad
- SamCart vs Loox
- SamCart vs Razorpay
- SamCart vs Stripe
