Developer Tools·Standings

Compare Databases and Backend Software

Databases and backend tools store or manage app data and services; the right choice depends on the database model and the platforms your app needs.

The signal score is out of 10; API, open-source and free-tier marks help you compare access and ways to try or inspect a tool.

• 33 platforms
• 2 with a public API on this page
• 22 with a free tier
• Checked 7 Oct 2026

1. #PlatformSignalPlugs inPrice
2. 1
   TC

   TiDB Cloudpingcap.com

   A freemium, open-source database available through web, API, Linux, or self-hosted access.

   7.4 APIOpenFree Free tier
   →
3. 2
   AF

   Aiven for PostgreSQLaiven.io

   Managed open-source PostgreSQL database with API, self-hosted and web access; free plan, paid from $5/mo.

   7.3 APIOpenFree Free tier · from $5/mo
   →
4. 3
   AD

   Amazon DynamoDBaws.amazon.com

   Managed NoSQL database with key-based lookups and alternate-key queries.

   6.7 APIOpenFree Free tier
   →
5. 4
   AS

   Azure SQL Databaseazure.microsoft.com

   Azure SQL Database is Microsoft’s managed cloud relational database service for transactional and analytical workloads.

   6.7 APIOpenFree Free tier
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6. 5
   R

   Railwayrailway.com

   A cloud deployment platform with database options and a free plan; paid plans start at $5 per month.

   6.7 APIOpenFree Free tier · from $5/mo
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7. 6
   F

   Firestorecloud.google.com

   Firestore is a fully managed, scalable JSON document database for mobile, web, and server applications.

   6.6 APIOpenFree Free tier · $0.03 usage-based
   →
8. 7
   T

   Tursoturso.tech

   Turso is a SQLite-based database platform built to run databases for individual users, agents, and tenants.

   6.5 APIOpenFree Free tier · $4.99 usage-based
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9. 8
   PP

   Parse Platformparseplatform.org

   An open-source app backend that runs on Node.js infrastructure and supports MongoDB or PostgreSQL.

   6.4 APIOpenFree Free tier
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10. 9
    AR

    Amazon RDSaws.amazon.com

    Managed relational database with eight engine choices and automated setup, patching, backups and scaling.

    6.3 APIOpenFree Free tier
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11. 10
    AR

    Appwrite Realtimeappwrite.io

    WebSocket service that streams Appwrite resource changes with filtered event and query subscriptions.

    6.3 APIOpenFree Free tier
    →
12. 11
    N

    Nhostnhost.io

    A managed app backend with Postgres, GraphQL, sign-in, file storage, and serverless functions.

    6.3 APIOpenFree Free tier · from $25/mo
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13. 12
    P

    PocketBasepocketbase.io
    6.3 APIOpenFree Free tier
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14. 13
    CC

    CockroachDB Cloudcockroachlabs.com

    Cloud database for API, Linux and web platforms, with a free plan and paid options.

    6.2 APIOpenFree Free tier
    →
15. 14
    C

    Convexconvex.dev
    6.2 APIOpenFree Free tier · from $25/mo
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16. 15
    N

    Neonneon.com

    A cloud PostgreSQL service that adjusts compute to demand, with a free plan and database branching.

    6.2 APIOpenFree Free tier · $0.11 usage-based
    →
17. 16
    S

    Supabasesupabase.com

    A Postgres backend with sign-in, file storage, live updates, and server-side functions; free plan available.

    6.2 APIOpenFree Free tier · from $25/mo
    →
18. 17
    S

    SurrealDBsurrealdb.com

    A self-hosted database offering vector search, with 1GB of storage free on its first instance.

    6.1 APIOpenFree Free tier · from $0.19/mo
    →
19. 18
    GC

    Google Cloud SQLcloud.google.com

    Managed SQL database with a free trial and paid pricing from $0.04.

    6.0 APIOpenFree From $0.04/mo
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20. 19
    H

    Hasurahasura.io

    Creates data APIs and subscriptions for connected databases, with triggers and authorization controls.

    6.0 APIOpenFree Free tier
    →
21. 20
    AA

    Amazon Auroraaws.amazon.com

    Managed relational database service for PostgreSQL-, MySQL- and DSQL-compatible apps.

    5.9 APIOpenFree Free tier
    →
22. 21
    AC

    Azure Cosmos DB for NoSQLazure.microsoft.com

    NoSQL database offered as an API or for self-hosted use, with vector search.

    5.9 APIOpenFree Free tier
    →
23. 22
    B

    Backendlessbackendless.com
    5.9 APIOpenFree Free tier · from $15/mo
    →
24. 23
    X

    Xataxata.io

    A Postgres service with quick database branches that sleep when idle; free plan and paid plans from $9/month.

    5.8 APIOpenFree Free tier · $0.01 usage-based
    →
25. 24
    CS

    Cloudflare Streamcloudflare.com

    Stream provides a managed pipeline to upload, encode, store, and deliver live and on-demand video through one API.

    5.7 APIOpenFree —
    →
26. 25
    YA

    YugabyteDB Anywheredocs.yugabyte.com

    A paid, self-managed service for operating YugabyteDB across on-premises, cloud, and Kubernetes setups.

    5.7 APIOpenFree —
    →

Places #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 on this board are open to sponsors. Take #1 · Other ways to advertise

How to choose

Which platforms does it need to run on?

Start with the platforms your app needs, then compare the platform marks for web, API, self-hosted, Linux, iOS and Android.

A public API can be useful when an app needs to connect through a defined interface. Check the individual tool details for its supported platforms.

What database model fits my app?

Compare the database model against how your app needs to store and retrieve information. The board includes database model as a comparison field, but does not name a model for every service.

Check the product details before choosing if a particular model is required.

Which backend features should I compare?

Look for the features your app depends on: built-in authentication, real-time data sync, serverless functions and file storage.

The board also compares deployment model and API style. These fields can help narrow choices, but verify the details for the service you are considering.

How do I compare free plans and paid prices?

Check whether a free plan is listed and compare the stated paid-from price where available. A free plan and a free trial are different offers, so check which one applies.

For example, Aiven for PostgreSQL lists a free plan and a starting paid price of $5 per month. Pricing details can vary by product.

Should I look for an API or open-source code?

Check the public API mark if your app needs to connect to a service through an API. Open-source code can matter if you need to inspect or change the code; check the individual tool's license.

A free-tier mark signals an option to try without starting on a paid plan. Confirm the service's own terms before relying on it.

Questions

What should I compare when choosing a database or backend?

Compare database model, platform support, deployment, API style, authentication, real-time sync, serverless functions, file storage and pricing.

How can I tell whether a database tool has a free plan?

Check the free-plan mark and the pricing details. A free plan is not the same as a free trial.

What does the signal score mean?

It is a score out of 10 based on published signals including usage, API access, documentation depth, open-source code and a free tier.

Why does a public API matter when choosing backend software?

A public API gives an app a defined way to connect to a service. Check the API mark and the product's API style.

Should I choose open-source backend software?

Consider it if you need to inspect or change the code. Check the specific tool's license and confirm it fits your needs.

Some top positions on this board can be paid placements, standing where they were sold. The facts on each platform are not for sale. How we rank · Disclosure