Best Backend/API Generators for MVPs

Pick the fastest path to ship your backend: auth, database, storage, and APIs—without reinventing the wheel.

Overview

Backend generators and BaaS platforms accelerate MVPs by providing hosted databases, auth, storage, real-time features, and SDKs. Choose based on stack, hosting, and data model needs.

Top Picks

Supabase

Open-source Firebase alternative with PostgreSQL, Row Level Security, auth, and real-time.

• Best for: JS/TS apps needing SQL and self-host optionality.
• Strengths: SQL + real-time + auth in one.
• Considerations: Postgres-centric.

Try Supabase

Backendless

Visual backend with codeless logic, user management, and push notifications.

• Best for: Mobile & low-code teams wanting visual logic.
• Strengths: Codeless rules, SDKs, push.
• Considerations: Proprietary platform.

Try Backendless

Hasura

Instant GraphQL on top of your databases with fine-grained permissions and subscriptions.

• Best for: Teams standardizing on GraphQL.
• Strengths: Powerful auth/permissions, real-time.
• Considerations: GraphQL knowledge recommended.

Try Hasura

Xata

Serverless DB with built-in search, branches, and analytics.

• Best for: Next.js/Vercel apps needing search & migrations.
• Strengths: Search + analytics out of the box.
• Considerations: Newer ecosystem.

Try Xata

Comparison

• Data model: Supabase (SQL), Hasura (GraphQL over DBs), Xata (serverless DB+search), Backendless (visual data).
• Auth: All provide built-in auth and access control.
• Real-time: Supabase, Hasura; Backendless supports real-time DB and push.
• Functions/logic: Supabase Edge Functions, Backendless Codeless/Cloud Code, Hasura Actions/Triggers.
• Self-hosting: Supabase, Hasura support self-host; Xata/Backendless are hosted.

Pricing

• Supabase: free-plan to start; usage-based.
• Backendless: free-plan available; paid tiers for scale.
• Hasura: free-plan and enterprise options.
• Xata: free-plan with paid upgrades.

Recommendations

• SQL-first web apps: Supabase.
• GraphQL standardization: Hasura.
• Visual backend + mobile: Backendless.
• Search-heavy Next.js apps: Xata.

FAQ

Can I migrate later? Yes—prefer portable data models (SQL/GraphQL) and keep business logic at edges/services.

How to avoid lock-in? Abstract SDK usage, store schema as code, and use open standards where possible.