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Software · head to head

Prisma vs Backendless

Prisma logo

Prisma

Software

Modern ORM and API client for Node.js and TypeScript

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Backendless logo

Backendless

Software

Visual app development platform with REST APIs and cloud backend

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Prisma prisma Postgres is billed per operation, with the free tier at 100,000 operations and 500 MB of storage; Backendless free tier limited to 50 API requests per minute and 20 database tables
  • They diverge on capability: Prisma covers ORM, Backendless covers REST API.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Prisma and Backendless actually diverge.

Attributes where Prisma and Backendless differ
AttributePrismaBackendless
Pricing modelopen-sourceUnknown
PlatformsNode.js, TypeScriptCloud, Visual builder
Founded20162012

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), 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 Prisma

  • ORM
  • Query builder
  • Auto-migrations
  • Node.js
  • TypeScript
  • GraphQL
  • REST APIs
  • Node.js support

Only in Backendless

  • REST API
  • Real-time database
  • Cloud code
  • Custom integrations
  • Webhooks
  • Cloud functions
  • Cloud support
  • Visual builder support

What people use each for

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

Prisma

  • Using a type safe ORM and query layer against a Postgres databasenot Backendless
  • Adding a managed connection pool and edge cache in front of an existing databasenot Backendless

Backendless

  • API Developmentnot Prisma
  • API Gatewaynot Prisma
  • API Testingnot Prisma
  • API Documentationnot Prisma
  • Microservicesnot Prisma

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Prisma

  • Prisma Postgres is billed per operation, with the free tier at 100,000 operations and 500 MB of storage
  • Starter at $10 a month includes 1M operations then charges $0.0080 per 1,000
  • Storage overage runs from $2.00 per GB on Starter down to $1.00 per GB on Business, so the unit cost depends on the plan
  • Accelerate charges separately per operation and per GiB of query egress beyond the first 1 KiB
  • Cache tag invalidations are not included below the Pro plan and are billed per thousand above it

Backendless

  • Free tier limited to 50 API requests per minute and 20 database tables
  • Smaller community and integration ecosystem compared to Firebase or AWS
  • Customization beyond codeless tools requires developer expertise
  • Limited documentation for advanced use cases and edge cases

Pricing, plan by plan

Prisma

Free
  • Open SourceFree
    • Full Prisma ORM
    • Community support
  • Professional$50/monthly
    • Extended browser
    • Priority support
    • Monitoring

Backendless

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 50 API requests/minute
    • 20 database tables
    • 1 GB file storage
  • Scale Variable$15/month
    • Unlimited API requests/month
    • 100 database tables
    • 10 GB file storage
  • Scale Fixed$15/month
    • Same as Scale Variable
    • Fixed monthly pricing

Which should you pick?

Choose Prisma if

  • You need orm.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Node.js, TypeScript.
  • You also want query builder.
Prisma review

Choose Backendless if

  • You need rest api.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Cloud, Visual builder.
  • You also want real-time database.
Backendless review

Questions people ask

Is Prisma or Backendless better?
Neither clearly leads. Prisma starts at Free and Backendless at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Prisma or Backendless?
Prisma starts at Free and Backendless at Free.
Does Prisma or Backendless run on more platforms?
Prisma runs on Node.js, TypeScript. Backendless runs on Cloud, Visual builder.
Can I use Prisma for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Prisma best used for?
Prisma is most often used for using a type safe orm and query layer against a postgres database, adding a managed connection pool and edge cache in front of an existing database. Of those, using a type safe orm and query layer against a postgres database and adding a managed connection pool and edge cache in front of an existing database are not what Backendless is typically brought in for.
What can Prisma do that Backendless cannot?
Prisma covers ORM, Query builder, Auto-migrations, Node.js. Backendless covers REST API, Real-time database, Cloud code, Custom integrations.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Backendless: Does Backendless have a free tier?

Backendless Free plan ($0/month) includes 50 API requests per minute, 20 database tables, 1 GB file storage, 1 visualization, 2 security roles, and basic cloud code capabilities.

Source
Backendless: What features does the Scale plan include?

Scale plan ($15+/month) provides unlimited API requests per month, 100 database tables, 10 GB file storage, 5 visualizations, 10 custom API keys, daily backups, free SSL certificates, and 1,000 real-time connections.

Source
Backendless: Can I add more storage or increase API limits?

Yes, Backendless offers Function Packs ranging from $5-$399/month to increase specific limits such as storage, API requests, or security features.

Source
Backendless: Does Backendless support offline functionality?

Backendless supports real-time sync and offline capabilities for mobile apps, allowing data to sync when connectivity is restored.

Source
Backendless: Is Backendless Pro available for self-hosting?

Yes, Backendless Pro Community Edition is available under free licensing for core functionality. Managed Backendless is a paid option for self-hosted deployments with request-based pricing.

Source
Backendless: What are Backendless's integration limitations?

While Backendless supports many integrations, it has a smaller integration library compared to competitors. Finding solutions to edge cases or complex setups may require more development effort.

Source
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