Building the backend of a modern application requires databases, authentication, APIs, file storage, server-side functions, security, realtime communication, and infrastructure management.
Backend-as-a-Service (BaaS) platforms simplify this process by providing these backend components as managed services.
Instead of building everything from scratch, developers can connect their web or mobile applications directly to ready-made backend services.
In 2027, some of the strongest Backend-as-a-Service platforms include:
- Supabase
- Firebase
- Appwrite
- AWS Amplify
- Convex
- Xano
- PocketBase
Each platform is designed for different types of projects. Some focus on PostgreSQL and SQL, some are optimized for mobile and realtime applications, while others prioritize self-hosting, serverless infrastructure, or rapid development.
This guide compares the best BaaS platforms for 2027 and explains which one is suitable for different projects.
What Is Backend-as-a-Service (BaaS)?
Backend-as-a-Service is a cloud development model that provides ready-to-use backend infrastructure for applications.
A typical application requires services such as:
Database
Authentication
APIs
File Storage
Server Functions
Realtime Updates
Security
Hosting
Without BaaS, developers may need to build, deploy, secure, monitor, and maintain these services separately.
With BaaS, the architecture becomes simpler:
Web / Mobile App
↓
BaaS
↓
┌───────────────┐
│ Authentication│
│ Database │
│ Storage │
│ Functions │
│ Realtime │
│ APIs │
└───────────────┘
This allows developers to spend more time building application features instead of managing backend infrastructure.
Best Backend-as-a-Service Platforms in 2027
1. Supabase
Best for: PostgreSQL, SaaS, AI apps and relational applications
Supabase is one of the strongest BaaS choices for developers who want PostgreSQL as the foundation of their backend.
Every Supabase project includes a full PostgreSQL database.
Its major backend services include:
- PostgreSQL database
- Authentication
- Storage
- Realtime
- Edge Functions
- Auto-generated APIs
- Row Level Security
- Vector capabilities
- PostgreSQL extensions
One of Supabase’s biggest advantages is that developers work with a standard relational database instead of a proprietary database system.
Why Choose Supabase?
Supabase is particularly useful when an application contains relationships between different types of data.
For example, an eCommerce platform might contain:
Users
↓
Orders
↓
Order Items
↓
Products
↓
Categories
PostgreSQL makes these relationships straightforward using foreign keys and SQL queries.
Supabase also supports PostgreSQL Row Level Security, allowing developers to create detailed authorization policies directly in the database.
Supabase Is Best For
- SaaS applications
- eCommerce platforms
- Marketplaces
- Booking applications
- Flutter applications
- React/Next.js applications
- Business applications
- AI applications
- RAG applications
- Data-heavy applications
Supabase Advantages
- Full PostgreSQL database
- Powerful SQL support
- Strong relational data modeling
- Authentication
- Storage
- Realtime
- Edge Functions
- Row Level Security
- Vector support
- Open source
- Self-hosting available
Supabase Limitations
Developers working on advanced projects should understand SQL, PostgreSQL and Row Level Security.
Incorrect RLS configuration can also create security issues, so database policies must be designed carefully.
Best Overall For
Developers who want a modern PostgreSQL-based backend.
Official website: https://supabase.com/
2. Firebase
Best for: Mobile apps, realtime apps and Google ecosystem projects
Firebase remains one of the most established application development platforms.
It is developed by Google and integrates deeply with Google Cloud.
Firebase provides a broad collection of services including:
- Firebase Authentication
- Cloud Firestore
- Realtime Database
- Cloud Storage
- Cloud Functions
- Cloud Messaging
- Crashlytics
- Analytics
- Remote Config
- App Check
- Hosting
- App Hosting
Firebase also provides SDKs for platforms including:
Android
iOS
Flutter
Web
Unity
C++
Why Choose Firebase?
Firebase is particularly strong for mobile application development.
For example:
Flutter App
↓
Firebase Authentication
↓
Cloud Firestore
↓
Cloud Storage
↓
Cloud Functions
↓
Firebase Cloud Messaging
This combination can provide most backend functionality required by a mobile application.
Cloud Firestore also provides realtime data synchronization, making Firebase useful for applications where data frequently changes.
Firebase Is Best For
- Android applications
- iOS applications
- Flutter applications
- Chat applications
- Social applications
- Realtime applications
- MVPs
- Push-notification-heavy applications
Firebase Advantages
- Excellent mobile SDKs
- Easy authentication
- Firestore
- Realtime Database
- Cloud Storage
- Cloud Functions
- Firebase Cloud Messaging
- Crashlytics
- Analytics
- Strong Google Cloud integration
- Mature development ecosystem
Firebase Limitations
Firebase services can create stronger vendor dependency than open-source alternatives.
Firestore is also primarily document-oriented, so developers coming from traditional SQL databases may need to design their data differently.
However, Firebase’s database options are expanding, including PostgreSQL-oriented capabilities through newer Firebase services.
Best Overall For
Mobile-first and realtime applications.
Official website: https://firebase.google.com/
3. Appwrite
Best for: Open-source and self-hosted application backends
Appwrite is an open-source backend platform designed to provide multiple backend services through a unified ecosystem.
Its services include:
- Authentication
- Databases
- Storage
- Functions
- Realtime
- Messaging
- Sites
- APIs
- Permissions
Appwrite has also expanded its database architecture, providing developers with more choices for different application requirements.
Why Choose Appwrite?
One of Appwrite’s biggest advantages is the ability to combine many backend services within one platform.
A typical application can use:
App
↓
Appwrite Authentication
↓
Database
↓
Storage
↓
Functions
↓
Realtime
↓
Messaging
Developers can use Appwrite Cloud or self-host the platform.
This makes Appwrite attractive for developers who want more infrastructure control.
Appwrite Is Best For
- Web applications
- Mobile applications
- Flutter apps
- Open-source projects
- Self-hosted applications
- Privacy-focused applications
- Realtime apps
- MVP development
Appwrite Advantages
- Open source
- Self-hosting
- Authentication
- Database services
- Storage
- Realtime
- Functions
- Messaging
- Website hosting
- Multiple SDKs
- Unified developer experience
Appwrite Limitations
Developers building applications centered heavily around advanced PostgreSQL queries may find Supabase more natural.
Appwrite also introduces its own service APIs and development patterns that developers need to learn.
Best Overall For
Developers looking for an integrated open-source backend with self-hosting options.
Official website: https://appwrite.io/
4. AWS Amplify
Best for: AWS-based and enterprise applications
AWS Amplify is Amazon Web Services’ development platform for building full-stack web and mobile applications.
Rather than being one isolated backend system, Amplify provides a developer-friendly layer around multiple AWS services.
Depending on the architecture, applications can use services such as:
Amazon Cognito
AWS AppSync
AWS Lambda
Amazon S3
Amazon DynamoDB
API Gateway
Amplify Gen 2 also provides a code-first TypeScript development experience.
Why Choose AWS Amplify?
AWS Amplify becomes particularly attractive when an organization already uses AWS.
For example:
Web / Mobile App
↓
AWS Amplify
↓
Cognito → Authentication
AppSync → APIs/Data
Lambda → Functions
S3 → Storage
AWS Infrastructure
This gives developers access to the broader AWS ecosystem while reducing some infrastructure setup work.
AWS Amplify Is Best For
- Enterprise applications
- AWS-based companies
- Large web applications
- Serverless applications
- Full-stack applications
- Applications requiring AWS services
AWS Amplify Advantages
- Powerful AWS infrastructure
- Authentication
- APIs
- Storage
- Functions
- Realtime capabilities
- Hosting
- CI/CD
- Infrastructure-as-Code integration
- Enterprise scalability
AWS Amplify Limitations
Amplify can be more complex than Firebase or Supabase for beginners.
Understanding AWS services, permissions and infrastructure can become important as the application grows.
Best Overall For
Teams already using AWS infrastructure.
Official website: https://aws.amazon.com/amplify/
5. Convex
Best for: Realtime TypeScript applications
Convex takes a different approach to backend development.
It focuses strongly on TypeScript applications and reactive data.
Instead of manually creating many traditional API endpoints, developers can write backend functions that interact directly with their application’s data.
Its development model works particularly well with modern JavaScript and TypeScript applications.
Convex Is Best For
- React applications
- TypeScript projects
- Realtime dashboards
- Collaborative applications
- AI applications
- Fast-moving startups
Convex Advantages
- Strong TypeScript experience
- Realtime by design
- Reactive queries
- Backend functions
- Fast development workflow
- Good fit for modern frontend frameworks
Convex Limitations
Developers looking specifically for a traditional PostgreSQL development workflow may prefer Supabase.
Its programming model is also different from conventional SQL-based backend development.
Best Overall For
Realtime applications built by TypeScript-focused teams.
Official website: https://www.convex.dev/
6. Xano
Best for: No-code and low-code backend development
Xano is designed to help developers and no-code builders create scalable application backends without manually building every backend component.
It provides tools for:
- Databases
- APIs
- Authentication
- Business logic
- Backend workflows
- Server-side functions
Xano is particularly useful when frontend developers or no-code developers need a backend but do not want to build a traditional server architecture.
Xano Is Best For
- No-code applications
- Low-code applications
- MVPs
- Startup products
- API development
- Business applications
Xano Advantages
- Visual backend development
- Built-in database
- API builder
- Authentication
- Business logic
- Less backend coding required
- Rapid development
Xano Limitations
Developers who want complete code-level infrastructure control may prefer platforms such as Supabase, Appwrite or AWS.
Best Overall For
Developers and teams that want to build backend APIs with minimal traditional backend coding.
Official website: https://www.xano.com/
7. PocketBase
Best for: Small self-hosted applications and prototypes
PocketBase is significantly lighter than platforms such as Firebase, AWS Amplify or Supabase.
It provides a backend built around an embedded SQLite database.
PocketBase includes:
- SQLite database
- Authentication
- Realtime subscriptions
- File storage
- REST-style API
- Admin dashboard
One of its biggest advantages is simplicity.
PocketBase can be distributed as a small standalone executable.
Why Choose PocketBase?
A simple architecture might look like:
Flutter / React App
↓
PocketBase
↓
SQLite + Auth + Storage + Realtime
This makes it useful for small projects where deploying a large backend infrastructure would be unnecessary.
PocketBase Is Best For
- Personal projects
- Small web apps
- Internal tools
- Prototypes
- Learning projects
- Small self-hosted applications
PocketBase Advantages
- Extremely lightweight
- Easy setup
- SQLite database
- Authentication
- Realtime
- File storage
- Admin dashboard
- Open source
- Self-hosted
Important Limitation
PocketBase’s official documentation currently states that the project remains under active development before version 1.0 and does not recommend it for production-critical applications unless developers are prepared to manage potential migration changes.
Therefore, PocketBase should not automatically be treated as a replacement for mature managed platforms when building critical production systems.
Best Overall For
Small and lightweight self-hosted projects.
Official website: https://pocketbase.io/
Best BaaS Platforms in 2027: Comparison
| Platform | Database Focus | Open Source | Self-Hosting | Realtime | Functions | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Supabase | PostgreSQL | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | SQL & SaaS apps |
| Firebase | Firestore/Realtime DB + newer SQL options | No | No | Yes | Yes | Mobile apps |
| Appwrite | Multiple database options | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Open-source backend |
| AWS Amplify | AWS data services | Partially | AWS infrastructure | Yes | Yes | Enterprise/AWS |
| Convex | Reactive database | Partially | Available depending on deployment | Yes | Yes | TypeScript/realtime |
| Xano | Managed database | No | Limited by offering | Yes | Yes | Low-code backend |
| PocketBase | SQLite | Yes | Yes | Yes | Backend extensibility | Small projects |
Best BaaS for Flutter Apps
Flutter developers have several strong options.
The two most common choices to consider first are:
Firebase
Best when the application needs:
- Push notifications
- Analytics
- Crash reporting
- Firestore
- Realtime synchronization
- Google services
Supabase
Best when the application needs:
- PostgreSQL
- Complex relationships
- SQL queries
- Row Level Security
- Relational application data
- Open-source backend infrastructure
Appwrite is another strong option when self-hosting and an integrated open-source backend are priorities.
Recommendation
For a typical Flutter mobile application:
Firebase → Best mobile ecosystem
For a database-heavy Flutter application:
Supabase → Best PostgreSQL option
For an open-source/self-hosted Flutter backend:
Appwrite → Strong alternative
Best BaaS for SaaS Applications
SaaS applications frequently contain strongly relational data.
For example:
Organizations
↓
Users
↓
Subscriptions
↓
Projects
↓
Invoices
This makes PostgreSQL particularly useful.
For this reason, Supabase is one of the strongest BaaS choices for SaaS development in 2027.
Its combination of PostgreSQL, authentication, RLS, storage, APIs and server-side functions covers many common SaaS requirements.
Best BaaS for Realtime Applications
Realtime applications include:
- Chat apps
- Collaborative editors
- Live dashboards
- Social feeds
- Activity systems
- Multiplayer experiences
Strong options include:
Firebase — mature realtime databases and mobile ecosystem.
Supabase — PostgreSQL combined with realtime features.
Convex — reactive and realtime-oriented architecture.
Appwrite — realtime APIs integrated with its backend services.
The best choice depends on the application’s data model rather than realtime support alone.
Best BaaS for AI Applications
AI applications increasingly require more than basic authentication and database storage.
Modern AI backends may need:
User
↓
Application
↓
Backend
↓
Documents
↓
Embeddings
↓
Vector Search
↓
LLM
↓
Response
Supabase is particularly attractive for AI applications because PostgreSQL can be combined with vector capabilities.
This makes it useful for:
- RAG applications
- AI assistants
- Semantic search
- AI knowledge bases
- Document search
- Recommendation systems
Firebase is also becoming increasingly AI-focused through integrations with Google’s Gemini ecosystem.
For AI applications where relational data and vector search are important, Supabase is one of the strongest BaaS options to consider.
Best Open-Source BaaS
If open source is an important requirement, the strongest platforms to evaluate include:
Supabase
Best for PostgreSQL-based applications.
Appwrite
Best for developers wanting a broader integrated open-source backend platform.
PocketBase
Best for lightweight self-hosted projects.
For serious relational production applications, Supabase is generally the strongest PostgreSQL-focused option.
For broader self-hosted backend functionality, Appwrite is a strong alternative.
Which BaaS Is Easiest for Beginners?
For mobile developers, Firebase is generally one of the easiest platforms to start with because of its extensive documentation, SDKs and integrated services.
For developers interested in learning SQL and relational backend development, Supabase is a better learning path.
Appwrite can also be beginner-friendly for developers who prefer SDK/API-based backend development.
A simple recommendation is:
Mobile Beginner → Firebase
SQL Beginner → Supabase
Open-Source Backend → Appwrite
TypeScript Realtime → Convex
No-Code Backend → Xano
Small Self-Hosted Project → PocketBase
AWS Developer → AWS Amplify
How to Choose the Right BaaS Platform
Do not select a BaaS platform only because it is popular.
Consider the actual requirements of your application.
Choose Supabase if you need:
- PostgreSQL
- SQL
- Relational data
- RLS
- Vector capabilities
- Open-source infrastructure
Choose Firebase if you need:
- Strong mobile support
- Push notifications
- Analytics
- Crash reporting
- Realtime databases
- Google Cloud integration
Choose Appwrite if you need:
- Open-source backend
- Self-hosting
- Authentication
- Storage
- Realtime
- Functions
- Integrated backend services
Choose AWS Amplify if you need:
- AWS infrastructure
- Enterprise scalability
- AWS Lambda
- Cognito
- S3
- Serverless architecture
Choose Convex if you need:
- TypeScript-first development
- Reactive data
- Realtime applications
Choose Xano if you need:
- No-code backend
- Visual API development
- Rapid backend development
Choose PocketBase if you need:
- Lightweight backend
- SQLite
- Simple self-hosting
- Small applications or prototypes
Best Backend-as-a-Service Platforms in 2027: Final Verdict
There is no single BaaS platform that is best for every application.
However, the strongest choices can be summarized as:
| Category | Recommended Platform |
|---|---|
| Best Overall Modern BaaS | Supabase |
| Best for Mobile Apps | Firebase |
| Best for Flutter | Firebase / Supabase |
| Best for PostgreSQL | Supabase |
| Best for SaaS | Supabase |
| Best for Open Source | Supabase / Appwrite |
| Best for Self-Hosting | Appwrite |
| Best for AWS | AWS Amplify |
| Best for Realtime TypeScript | Convex |
| Best for Low-Code | Xano |
| Best for Small Projects | PocketBase |
| Best for AI + Relational Data | Supabase |
For most developers choosing a backend in 2027, Supabase, Firebase and Appwrite should be the first three platforms to compare.
Choose Supabase when PostgreSQL, SQL, relational data and backend flexibility are your priorities.
Choose Firebase when you are building a mobile-first or realtime application and want Google’s mature development ecosystem.
Choose Appwrite when open-source infrastructure, self-hosting and an integrated backend platform are important.
For AWS-based enterprise development, AWS Amplify remains a strong choice, while Convex, Xano, and PocketBase solve more specialized development needs.
Ultimately, the best BaaS platform is the one that matches your application’s database model, expected scale, hosting requirements, development stack and long-term architecture.
