API Management · head to head
Swagger/OpenAPI vs Backendless
Swagger/OpenAPI
API Management
API specification and documentation framework using OpenAPI standard
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
Backendless
API Management
Visual app development platform with REST APIs and cloud backend
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Swagger/OpenAPI the OpenAPI Specification itself is licensed under Apache License 2.0 and free to use; SwaggerHub is a separate paid tool built on top of it; Backendless free tier limited to 50 API requests per minute and 20 database tables
- They diverge on capability: Swagger/OpenAPI covers OpenAPI Specification, Backendless covers REST API.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Swagger/OpenAPI and Backendless actually diverge.
| Attribute | Swagger/OpenAPI | Backendless |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | freemium | Unknown |
| Platforms | Web, CLI, Desktop | Cloud, Visual builder |
| Founded | 2001 | 2012 |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), 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 Swagger/OpenAPI
- OpenAPI Specification
- Interactive Documentation
- Code Generation
- GitHub
- GitLab
- Jenkins
- IDE plugins
- Web 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.
Swagger/OpenAPI
- API Development
- API Gateway
- API Testing
- API Documentation
- Microservices
Backendless
- API Development
- API Gateway
- API Testing
- API Documentation
- Microservices
Both are used for api development, api gateway, api testing, api documentation, microservices, on those jobs the choice comes down to price and fit rather than capability.
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Swagger/OpenAPI
- The OpenAPI Specification itself is licensed under Apache License 2.0 and free to use; SwaggerHub is a separate paid tool built on top of 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
Swagger/OpenAPI
Free- Open SourceFree
- OpenAPI specification
- Community tools
- SwaggerHub FreeFree
- Cloud editor
- API mocking
- API testing
- SwaggerHub Pro$75/monthly
- Team collaboration
- Advanced mocking
- Analytics
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 Swagger/OpenAPI if
- You need openapi specification.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, CLI, Desktop.
- You also want interactive documentation.
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.
Questions people ask
- Is Swagger/OpenAPI or Backendless better?
- Neither clearly leads. Swagger/OpenAPI 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, Swagger/OpenAPI or Backendless?
- Swagger/OpenAPI starts at Free and Backendless at Free.
- Does Swagger/OpenAPI or Backendless run on more platforms?
- Swagger/OpenAPI runs on Web, CLI, Desktop. Backendless runs on Cloud, Visual builder.
- Can I use Swagger/OpenAPI for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Swagger/OpenAPI best used for?
- Swagger/OpenAPI is most often used for api development, api gateway, api testing, api documentation.
- What can Swagger/OpenAPI do that Backendless cannot?
- Swagger/OpenAPI covers OpenAPI Specification, Interactive Documentation, Code Generation, GitHub. 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.
SourceBackendless: 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.
SourceBackendless: 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.
SourceBackendless: Does Backendless support offline functionality?
Backendless supports real-time sync and offline capabilities for mobile apps, allowing data to sync when connectivity is restored.
SourceBackendless: 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.
SourceBackendless: 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