Backendless

A visual, no-code app development platform combining a UI Builder, real-time backend database, codeless logic, and AI-driven automation to build scalable web and mobile apps.

Screenshots & Images
Overview

Backendless is a complete visual app development platform that lets teams and individuals build scalable web and mobile applications without heavy coding. It provides an elegant UI Builder, visual real-time database, codeless frontend and backend logic, prebuilt APIs, and integrations with third‑party tools, plus AI-driven workflow automation via FlowRunner. With flexible hosting options (cloud, self-hosted/Pro, or managed), rich authentication and notification features, and app blueprints to jumpstart projects, Backendless speeds development and reduces third‑party dependencies.

Description

Backendless: The Power of No-Code, Now with AI Automation

Backendless is a complete visual app development platform that lets you build scalable apps fast, with the added intelligence of AI-driven automation through FlowRunner. Create frontends, manage backends, and automate workflows all in one place. Build. Automate. Save time.

What you can do

  • Frontend that shines
  • UI Builder: craft beautiful user interfaces for web and mobile quickly.
  • Codeless frontend logic: implement complex logic without writing code.
  • Seamless API integration: connect frontend to backend APIs without custom plumbing.
  • Build for web & mobile at the same time: design responsive apps that look great on any device.
  • App Blueprints: jumpstart your project with free, ready-to-use templates.

  • Powerful, scalable backend

  • Visual real-time database with a robust schema modeler: recreate real-world data relationships and business concepts visually.
  • Codeless backend logic: design backend functions ranging from simple to highly complex using the same block-based logic as the UI.
  • Data at your fingertips: prebuilt APIs or create your own APIs to access and manipulate data instantly.
  • User management and communications: 18+ authentication providers, session management, automated emails, and push notifications.
  • Serverless, scalable architecture: grow without managing the infrastructure, or customize hosting as needed.

  • AI-driven automation

  • FlowRunner brings AI-powered automation to your workflows, enabling smarter, faster operations and fewer manual tasks.

Flexible hosting options

  • Backendless Cloud: centralized, secure cloud installations with servers in the U.S. and EU.
  • Backendless Pro: a dedicated instance on your own on-premise or cloud servers with on-call support.
  • Managed Backendless: the platform installed anywhere and managed by Backendless experts.
  • The choice is yours: serverless for effortless scalability, self-hosted for full control, or managed for hands-off operation.

Why Backendless

  • All-in-one platform: replace multiple tools with a single, cohesive solution for frontend, backend, and automation.
  • Ownership of data: you own your data; you’re never locked into a single vendor.
  • Speed and efficiency: no-code and low-code options accelerate development, while still offering code paths when needed.
  • Enterprise readiness: scalable, secure, and flexible to fit teams of all sizes.

Use cases

  • Rapid prototyping and proof of concept: validate ideas quickly without heavy development costs.
  • Enterprise applications: robust backend, real-time data, and scalable infrastructure.
  • Full-stack development without compromise: front end and back end in one integrated environment.
  • Automation and workflows: AI-driven automation to streamline operations and reduce manual work.
  • Integrations: connect with hundreds of apps and services via Make (Integromat), Zapier, and other popular tools; plus builder-friendly integrations with UI, databases, and APIs.

Explore, learn, and grow

  • App Gallery and customer stories show real-world success.
  • Rich developer resources include tutorials, blog content, and integration guides.
  • Start for free today, with scalable pricing for teams and enterprises.

Backendless brings the no-code promise to life with intelligent automation, a unified frontend-backend platform, and flexible hosting—so you can build faster, iterate faster, and deliver delightful apps.

Features
What you're building
The technical artifact this tool produces
Web app
Mobile app
API / backend
App type
The domain or industry the built app is intended for
Business app
Productivity
How you build
The interface and interaction model used to create the app
Visual drag & drop
The builder runs as
How and where the builder tool itself is accessed
Web app
Min skill level
The minimum technical skill level required to use the builder effectively
Beginner
Coding required
The degree to which writing code is necessary
Code optional
Includes
Built-in components and capabilities the tool provides out of the box
UI builder
Backend logic
Database
Auth / user management
API layer
Custom domain
Whether the tool allows publishing the app under a custom domain
Export formats
File formats or frameworks the tool can export the app as
Swift
Kotlin
APK / IPA
You own / can export the code
Whether the user can export and fully own the underlying source code
Enterprise features
Advanced features typically required by teams and organizations
Role-based permissions
Audit logs
HIPAA
Pricing
Available pricing and access models
Free plan available
Paid
Usage-based
Pricing
Free Plan ( Flat Rate )
Free Plan (Starter)
$0 /mo
Scale Plan (starts at $15+/Month) — Variable or Fixed billing
$15 /mo
User Reviews
1,247 reviews
MK
Marcus K.
✔ Verified·SaaS Founder·Used 2 years
4.8
★★★★★
Overall
Ease of use
4.0
Features
5.0
Performance
4.5
Value
4.8
Support
4.5
Scalability
4.8
Plugins
5.0
Built my entire SaaS on Bubble — $40k MRR now

I was skeptical about no-code but Bubble proved me wrong. I built a B2B client portal with complex permissions, Stripe billing, and real-time notifications. The learning curve is real — give yourself 2–3 weeks — but once it clicks, you're unstoppable. Performance has been solid at our scale.

SaaSB2BStripe
SP
Sara P.
✔ Verified·Designer → Builder·Used 8 months
3.9
★★★★☆
Overall
Ease of use
2.5
Features
5.0
Performance
3.0
Value
4.0
Support
4.5
Scalability
3.5
Plugins
4.5
Incredibly powerful, but the learning curve is steep

Coming from Webflow, Bubble felt overwhelming at first. The editor UX isn't as polished, and performance on complex apps can feel sluggish. That said, nothing else lets you build a full database-driven app without code. The community forums are excellent — almost every problem has been solved by someone.

Webflow migrantDesign
JL
James L.
✔ Verified·Product Manager·Used 3 months
3.1
★★★☆☆
Overall
Ease of use
3.5
Features
4.5
Performance
3.0
Value
1.5
Support
3.0
Scalability
2.5
Plugins
4.0
Great for MVPs, but pricing scales poorly

Used Bubble to ship our MVP in 6 weeks, which was genuinely impressive. But once we needed real capacity, the jump from Growth to Team ($29 to $529/mo) was brutal for a bootstrapped startup. The server unit model is also confusing to reason about. Would love a mid-tier option.

MVPPricing concernBootstrapped
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Latest Updates
Mar 2025
Major
AI Autocomplete in Workflow Editor

Bubble now suggests the next workflow action based on your current logic using an embedded AI assistant — dramatically speeds up building complex multi-step flows.

Feb 2025
Improvement
Responsive Engine 2.0

Completely redesigned responsive layout system with per-breakpoint controls. Existing apps auto-migrate with one-click. Mobile apps now build 3× faster.

Jan 2025
Major
Native Git-style Version Branches

Team plan subscribers can now create development branches, make changes in isolation, and merge them back — similar to Git branching. Long requested by professional teams.

Dec 2024
Fix
Database Performance Improvements

Fixed significant performance degradation on apps with 1M+ rows caused by query planner regression. Apps now load 40–60% faster under heavy data loads.

Nov 2024
Improvement
Improved Plugin API v3

Rebuilt plugin API with TypeScript support, better error handling, and a new sandbox testing environment. Developer documentation fully rewritten.

Frequently Asked Questions
Backendless is a visual app development platform (BaaS) that provides a visual UI Builder, real-time backend database, codeless logic, APIs, authentication, file storage, messaging, and managed hosting to build web and mobile apps without being locked in.
No — Backendless supports codeless development via its visual UI Builder and Codeless logic blocks, but it also allows adding custom code (Cloud Code, SDKs) when you need more advanced functionality.
You can build both web and mobile applications. Backendless provides frontend UI tools and SDKs/integrations for web, Flutter, Android, iOS and REST APIs to connect any client.
Yes — Backendless offers a Free Plan (starter) that includes basic limits such as 50 API requests/minute, 20 database tables, 1 GB file storage, and other capped resources to explore and learn the platform.
The Scale Plan starts at $15+/month and has two variants: Scale Variable (usage-based daily charges based on peak API requests/min) and Scale Fixed (a fixed monthly tier). Both provide higher limits and can be expanded with Function Packs.
Yes — Backendless supports custom domains (on Scale plans), team permissions and enterprise-grade features; additional enterprise security tools (Audit Log, HIPAA compliance, Session Manager, etc.) are available as add-ons.
Links
ToolStack Verdict
9.1
Exceptional

Bubble remains the gold standard for full-stack no-code development. The power ceiling is unmatched — if you're willing to climb the learning curve, you can build virtually anything. Best for ambitious founders and product teams.

Pros

  • Full-stack in one tool
  • Huge plugin ecosystem
  • Real-time features built-in
  • Thriving community

Cons

  • Steep learning curve
  • No code export
  • Performance at scale
  • Pricing jump is large
Quick Facts
Founded2012
HeadquartersNew York, USA
Funding$100M+ (Series A)
Users4M+ builders
Apps built2M+ total
Free planYes
Pricing from$29/mo
CategoryVisual App Builder
Mobile appsWeb only
Open sourceNo
Last reviewedMar 2025
Best For
SaaS MVPs & startups
Marketplaces & directories
Client portals & dashboards
Community platforms
Native mobile apps
Static marketing sites