Backendless is a visual backend-as-a-service and no-code app builder with a managed database, cloud code, and UI Builder. See 2026 pricing and features.
Backendless is a visual backend-as-a-service and no-code application development platform founded in 2012 by Mark Piller. Headquartered in Frisco, Texas, the company positions itself as more than a typical BaaS: alongside a managed database, cloud functions, and real-time features, it offers a drag-and-drop UI Builder for constructing application interfaces bound to backend data.
The platform is aimed at helping both professional developers and less technical builders ship mobile and web apps faster by handling common backend infrastructure (database, authentication, file storage, real-time messaging) out of the box, while still allowing custom logic through Cloud Code.
Backendless offers both a fully managed cloud deployment (Backendless Cloud) and a self-hosted deployment option (Backendless Pro), which is less common among mainstream BaaS competitors and appeals to organizations with data residency or compliance requirements.
Backendless provides a managed, scalable database with REST API access, alongside visual Cloud Code tools for defining custom business logic without necessarily writing traditional server code line by line, though code-based development is also supported.
Real-time capabilities let apps sync data instantly across connected clients via WebSocket-based messaging and live database updates, while built-in user authentication, geolocation services, push notifications, and file storage cover common app infrastructure needs.
The UI Builder is Backendless's most distinctive feature: a drag-and-drop visual editor for building application front ends that bind directly to backend data models, letting teams prototype and ship functional app interfaces without hand-coding every screen.
Backendless Cloud's Free plan includes 50 API requests per minute, 20 database tables, 1GB file storage, 10 cached objects, 5 real-time connections, and 2 cloud code scripts, aimed at exploring and learning the platform at no cost.
The Scale plan starts around $15 per month and scales with usage, offered in Scale Variable (daily charges based on peak API request volume) and Scale Fixed (a set monthly price by usage tier) variations, unlocking unlimited API requests, more database tables, larger file storage, more real-time connections, and daily backups. All Backendless Cloud plans include unlimited developer seats at no extra cost.
Backendless Pro is a self-hosted, on-premises deployment aimed at medium-to-large enterprises, marketed with free core licensing, while Managed Backendless is a premium enterprise service adding 24x7x365 monitoring and dedicated server administration and DevOps support on top of a self-hosted deployment.
Backendless is used as a visual backend-as-a-service and no-code platform for building the database, business logic, and front-end interfaces of mobile and web applications.
Backendless Cloud has a free plan, with Scale plans starting around $15/month that scale with usage; Backendless Pro (self-hosted) offers free core licensing, and Managed Backendless is a custom-priced enterprise service.
Backendless was founded in 2012 by Mark Piller, who remains the company's founder and CEO; it is headquartered in Frisco, Texas.
Yes, Backendless Pro is a self-hosted, on-premises deployment option aimed at enterprises needing data residency or compliance control.
UI Builder is a drag-and-drop visual editor for building application front ends bound directly to Backendless backend data, without hand-coding every screen.
No, all Backendless Cloud plans include unlimited developer seats at no additional cost.
Backendless competes directly with Firebase and Supabase but differentiates with its visual UI Builder for no-code app interfaces and a self-hosted Pro deployment option that Firebase does not offer.
Yes, Backendless Cloud's free plan includes 50 API requests per minute, 20 database tables, and 1GB of file storage.