Head-to-head · Backend as a Service
Back4app vs Xano
Back4app leads on 0 checks, Xano on 0, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.
Our verdict
- Highest scoreBack4app · 7.9/10
- Free planboth
- Most featuresXano · 4 of 4
Back4app scores higher on our rubric for backend as a service: 7.9 against 7.7 out of 10; our editors rank them #6 and #8.
Back4app is the better fit for affordable MongoDB-based application backends. Xano is the better fit for no-code teams building complex backends.
- Back4app fits best
Affordable MongoDB-based application backends
- Xano fits best
No-code teams building complex backends
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Side by side
| Feature | Back4app 7.9/10 Visit ↗ | Xano 7.7/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 7.9 | 7.7 |
| Ranking | #6 in Backend as a Service | #8 in Backend as a Service |
| Best for | Affordable MongoDB-based application backends | No-code teams building complex backends |
| Pricing model | Free plan + paid | Free plan + paid |
| Starting price | $5/unit/mo | $85/mo |
| Free plan | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Deployment | Cloud, Self-hosted | Cloud, Self-hosted |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android | Web |
| Support | Email, Tickets, Community | Live chat, Community, Docs · 24/7 |
| Compliance | SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR, HIPAA | SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR, HIPAA, SSO/SAML, 2FA |
| Integrations | 6 integrations | 16 integrations |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise | Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise |
| Features Back4app 0/4 · Xano 4/4 | ||
| Serverless functions | Not checked yet | ✓ (best) |
| Realtime data | Not checked yet | ✓ (best) |
| File storage | Not checked yet | ✓ (best) |
| Automatic APIs | Not checked yet | ✓ (best) |
| Specs | ||
| Database type | Not checked yet | Relational |
| Authentication methods | Not checked yet | Social |
| Free authentication users | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Our review | ||
| Pros |
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| Cons |
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| Our verdict | Back4app combines managed backend services with container-based deployment for teams building web and mobile applications. Its backend includes managed MongoDB hosting, automatically generated REST and GraphQL APIs, authentication with… Read the review → |
Xano is a managed backend platform for technical teams building web and mobile applications without assembling backend services individually. It combines a PostgreSQL database, visual business logic, REST API creation, authentication, file… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
Back4app — where it wins
- Managed MongoDB with automatic REST and GraphQL APIs
- Free plan plus containers starting at $5 per month
- Authentication, realtime sync, storage, and scheduled jobs
Where it doesn't
- Container pricing is charged per container, per month
- Deployment regions are limited to 1
- The platform spans many services, requiring architectural decisions
Xano — where it wins
- Combines PostgreSQL, APIs, logic, auth, storage, and serverless functions
- Supports integrations with tools including Stripe, Shopify, Slack, and Webflow
- Includes testing, deployment, logging, observability, and realtime events
Where it doesn't
- Essential starts at $85 per month when billed annually
- The Free plan limits databases to 100,000 records and storage to 1 GB
- Advanced capabilities are reserved for higher paid or Custom plans
- Back4app7.9/10 · Free plan
An affordable MongoDB-based backend with APIs, realtime features, and containers.
Visit Back4appFull verdict → - Xano7.7/10 · Free plan
A broad no-code backend for teams that need APIs, data, logic, and operations in one platform.
Visit XanoFull verdict →
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update






