15 Powerful Free Self-Hosted Backend Frameworks to Replace Firebase
Firebase is Google's superior app platform, allows developers to rapidly develop top-tier apps, expand your user base, and significantly increase your earnings.
It includes set of features that can be customized to perfectly suit any developer's requirements. This includes a real-time database, user authentication, crash reporting, analytics, and more. With Firebase, you have the right tools to excel.
However, many developers require to have their own self-hosted alternative, so this post explore the best open-source alternatives.
1. Poketbase
PocketBase is an open-source Go backend that includes an embedded SQLite database with real-time subscriptions, built-in files and user management, a convenient Admin dashboard UI, and a simple REST-ish API.
It takes less than 3 mins to get it up and running with and without Docker.
2. Clorabase
Clorabase is a free Backend as a Service (BaaS) for small Android apps with limited backend/server/database needs. It aims to provide a cost-free, production-ready backend for hobbyist or start-up app development.
Its features include no account requirement, unlimited usage, and no paid plans. However, it may not be suitable for larger apps or those requiring more database storage or bandwidth.
3. Supabase
Supabase is an open-source alternative to Firebase, offering features such as a hosted Postgres database, authentication and authorization, auto-generated APIs, REST, GraphQL, realtime subscriptions, database functions, edge functions, file storage, AI and Vector/Embeddings toolkit, and a dashboard.
4. Parse
Parse Server is regularly tested with the latest releases of Node.js and MongoDB to ensure compatibility. It follows the Node.js Long Term Support plan and MongoDB support schedule, testing only against versions that are officially supported and have not reached their end-of-life date.
5. ToolJet
ToolJet is an open-source low-code framework for building and deploying internal tools quickly and with minimal engineering effort.
It features a drag-and-drop frontend builder and supports integration with various data sources, including databases, API endpoints, SaaS tools, and object storage services.
6. Appwrite
Appwrite is an end-to-end backend server for various applications, packaged as Docker microservices.
It simplifies the process of building a modern backend API, facilitating faster and secure app development. Appwrite offers features like user authentication, database management, file storage and manipulation, and Cloud Functions.
7. KVDB
KVDB is a simple, postgres-based key-value database server designed to bypass limitations of free plans from services like Firebase and Appwrite.
It allows for unlimited reads, writes, and connections, with the only constraint being the storage space on your server.
Features
- Very simple API - create, update, read and delete - that's it
- Meant to be directly connected to from the client, no additional backend needed
- No authentication (key name is considered secret) - please keep this in mind when using this project
- Optional response speed throttling
- Optional key expiration
- Key/value length limits
- Read-only keys that respond with the same value but don't allow writes
- CORS support
8. Baserow
Baserow is an open-source, no-code database tool that serves as an alternative to Airtable. It allows users to create their own online databases without technical experience.
It combines the ease of use of spreadsheets with powerful data organization. Baserow can be self-hosted with no storage restrictions, or users can sign up on their website.
It operates under the MIT License for all non-premium and non-enterprise features, allowing for commercial and private use. It is headless, API-first, and uses popular frameworks like Django, Vue.js, and PostgreSQL.
9. Nocodb
Nocodb is an open Source Airtable Alternative transforms any MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQL Server, SQLite & MariaDB into a smart spreadsheet.
But it can used as a low-code backend alternative to Firebase.
10. Apitable
Apitable is an API-oriented low-code platform for building collaborative apps. It offers real-time collaboration, a user-friendly database-spreadsheet interface, full-stack API access, and supports over 100k+ data rows.
It also provides a variety of features including CRUD operations, field operations, workspace separation, theme customization, and seven view types. It uses community-friendly programming languages like TypeScript and Java.
11. nHost
Nhost is an open-source Firebase alternative that incorporates GraphQL and SQL, aiming to provide a great developer experience. It utilizes PostgreSQL for database, Hasura for instant GraphQL API, authentication and storage, and Node.js for serverless functions. It also includes a CLI for local development.
12. Mixcore
Mixcore CMS is an open-source, future-proof Enterprise headless Web CMS built on ASP.NET Core / Dotnet Core, supporting both headless and decoupled architectures.
It offers special features such as support for multiple databases (MySQL, SQL Server, PostgreSQL, SQLite), member roles and permissions for reliability, strong data encryption for high security, and flexible multilingual content migration.
Features
- MySQL, SQL Server, PostgreSQL, SQLite Databases
- Member roles and permissions for reliability
- Strong Data Encryption and Security compliance
- Flexible multilingual content migration
- High Performance with millisecond response time
- Powered by .NET Core, allowing cross-platform use
- Incorporates Visual Studio Code for online coding
- Customizable designs for various websites
- SEO-friendly without the need for extra plugins
- Media Management supporting multiple file formats
- On-the-go management and coding
- Easy and accessible, requiring no deep tech knowledge
- Embedded Google Analytics dashboard
- Dynamic Modular Architecture with powerful module layers & Attribute sets feature
- API-first architecture for easy extensibility
- Easy Backup with powerful 1 step export
- More time for relaxation with unlisted additional features
13. ILLA
ILLA is a robust open-source low-code platform that allows developers to quickly create business apps and internal tools such as dashboards, CRMs, and CMSs.
It supports various databases and APIs, and enables workflow automation. Using ILLA's library of components and actions can save developers significant amounts of time.
14. Pipedream
Pipedream offers a free platform for connecting apps and creating event-driven automations, with over 1,000 fully-integrated applications.
It allows running Node.js, Python, Golang, or Bash code for custom logic and is SOC 2 compliant.
15. NocoBase
NocoBase is an open-source, scalable no-code development platform that can be deployed quickly and easily.
It differs from other no-code products by separating the data structure from the user interface, allowing for more complex scenarios and greater flexibility. This design allows the creation of multiple data views with varying types, styles, content, and actions.