Softwr

API Management · head to head

Parse Server vs Strapi

Parse Server logo

Parse Server

API Management

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

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Strapi logo

Strapi

API Management

Headless CMS with REST and GraphQL APIs

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Parse Server deployment complexity and scaling challenges require operational expertise; Strapi cloud pricing is per project, not per account, so a second project doubles the bill
  • They diverge on capability: Parse Server covers Authentication, Strapi covers Content management.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Parse Server and Strapi differ
AttributeParse ServerStrapi
PlatformsNode.js, Express, REST API, GraphQL APINode.js, Cloud, Self-hosted, Docker
Founded20112015

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

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

  • Authentication
  • Node.js
  • Cloud functions
  • File storage

Only in Strapi

  • Content management
  • PostgreSQL
  • MySQL
  • MongoDB
  • AWS
  • Cloud support

Both cover

  • REST API
  • GraphQL API
  • Webhooks
  • Node.js support
  • Self-hosted support
  • Docker support

What people use each for

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

Parse Server

  • API Developmentnot Strapi
  • API Gatewaynot Strapi
  • API Testingnot Strapi
  • API Documentationnot Strapi
  • Microservicesnot Strapi

Strapi

  • Running a self hosted headless CMS with a REST or GraphQL APInot Parse Server
  • Giving editors a content admin panel over a custom content modelnot 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

Strapi

  • Cloud pricing is per project, not per account, so a second project doubles the bill
  • Starter at $35 a month allows 100,000 API requests, and overage is $1.50 per 25,000
  • Extra bandwidth is $30 per 100 GB and extra asset storage $0.60 per GB
  • Backups start at the Pro plan, weekly, and only become daily at Business
  • An uptime SLA is Business only, at $450 a month per project
  • Additional environments cost $60 a month on Pro and $300 a month on Business

Pricing, plan by plan

Parse Server

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

Strapi

Free
  • CommunityFree
    • Self-hosted Strapi
    • Community support
  • Pro$99/monthly
    • Cloud hosting
    • Advanced features
    • Priority support
  • Business$undefined/monthly
    • Enterprise features
    • Custom SLA
    • Dedicated support

Which should you pick?

Choose Parse Server if

  • You need authentication.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Node.js, Express, REST API, GraphQL API.
  • You also want node.js.
Parse Server review

Choose Strapi if

  • You need content management.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Node.js, Cloud, Self-hosted, Docker.
  • You also want postgresql.
Strapi review

Questions people ask

Is Parse Server or Strapi better?
Neither clearly leads. Parse Server starts at Free and Strapi at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Parse Server or Strapi?
Parse Server starts at Free and Strapi at Free.
Does Parse Server or Strapi run on more platforms?
Parse Server runs on Node.js, Express, REST API, GraphQL API. Strapi runs on Node.js, Cloud, Self-hosted, Docker.
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 Strapi is typically brought in for.
What can Parse Server do that Strapi cannot?
Parse Server covers Authentication, Node.js, Cloud functions, File storage. Strapi covers Content management, PostgreSQL, MySQL, MongoDB. Both handle REST API, GraphQL API, Webhooks, Node.js support.

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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Related pages

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