Backendless
Build apps at lightning speed with a visual low-code app builder featuring UI, Codeless logic, real-time database, messaging, and more.
About the product
Build Scalable Apps Without Server-Side Coding
Building robust backend systems for your apps is time-consuming and resource-intensive. You're stuck juggling database design, authentication, API development, and server maintenance—all while trying to deliver a polished frontend experience. This technical complexity delays your time to market and diverts focus from your app's core value.
What is Backendless
Backendless is a comprehensive visual app development platform that eliminates the need for server-side coding. It provides a complete backend infrastructure through an intuitive drag-and-drop interface, allowing you to build and manage everything from databases to user authentication without writing complex code. With its real-time database, codeless logic builder, and visual UI components, Backendless accelerates development time while maintaining the flexibility and power of custom-coded solutions.
Key Capabilities
Visual UI Builder : Create responsive user interfaces through drag-and-drop components, dramatically reducing frontend development time while maintaining design flexibility.
Real-Time Database : Deliver instant data updates to all connected users without manual refreshes, ensuring your app always displays the most current information.
Codeless Logic Builder : Build complex backend workflows visually without writing code, allowing non-technical team members to contribute to application logic development.
User Authentication & Management : Implement secure user registration, login, and role-based access control with pre-built components rather than coding authentication systems from scratch.
API Services Creation : Generate and manage custom APIs visually with automatic documentation, simplifying integrations with third-party services and other applications.
Perfect For
A startup CTO needed to quickly launch an e-commerce platform before a competitor entered the market. Using Backendless, they built a complete system with user authentication, real-time inventory tracking, and payment processing in just six weeks—less than half the time estimated for custom development.
An IT manager at a mid-sized company needed an internal tool to track equipment requests across departments. Without dedicated development resources, they used Backendless's visual tools to create a fully-functional system with approval workflows, real-time notifications, and role-based access in under a month.
Worth Considering
Backendless has a steeper learning curve than some simpler no-code tools, particularly for complex backend features. While it offers extensive customization through code injection for advanced users, pure no-coders may find some backend configuration challenging. Pricing starts as freemium with limited functionality, while paid plans ($$) scale based on usage and can become costly for high-traffic applications.
Also Consider
Firebase: Better choice when you need simpler setup with tighter Google Cloud integration and more generous free tier for startups and small projects.
Supabase: Consider when you prefer an open-source solution with PostgreSQL at its core and need more direct SQL access and control.
Appwrite: Ideal if you want a self-hostable, open-source alternative with strong developer-centric features and documentation.
Bottom Line
Backendless stands out for combining powerful backend capabilities with visual development tools in one unified platform. If you're looking to build and scale feature-rich applications without extensive backend coding—especially when real-time data and custom API services are priorities—Backendless delivers significant time and resource savings.