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Head-to-head · Internal Developer Portals

Backstage vs configure8

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score Backstage #1 in Internal Developer Portals 9.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 5 of 5 features Visit Backstage
configure8 #2 in Internal Developer Portals 9.3/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 5 of 5 features Visit configure8

Backstage leads on 0 checks, configure8 on 0, and 6 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreBackstage · 9.4/10
  • Free planboth

Backstage scores higher on our rubric for internal developer portals: 9.4 against 9.3 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #2.

On deployment model, configure8 gives you Both where Backstage offers Self-hosted.

Backstage is the better fit for teams wanting a flexible open-source portal. configure8 is the better fit for teams needing catalog and no-code self-service.

  • Backstage fits best

    Teams wanting a flexible open-source portal

  • configure8 fits best

    Teams needing catalog and no-code self-service

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Backstage 9.4/10 Visit ↗ configure8 9.3/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.4 9.3
Ranking #1 in Internal Developer Portals #2 in Internal Developer Portals
Best for Teams wanting a flexible open-source portal Teams needing catalog and no-code self-service
Pricing model Free Free plan + paid
Starting price Free plan $228/user/yr
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Self-hosted Cloud, Self-hosted
Platforms Web Web
Support Community, Docs Email, Live chat, Tickets, Docs · 24/7
Integrations 5 integrations 12 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Backstage 5/5 · configure8 5/5
Software catalog ✓ ✓
Self-service workflows ✓ ✓
Engineering scorecards ✓ ✓
Kubernetes support ✓ ✓
Ownership documentation ✓ ✓
Specs
Deployment model Self-hosted Both
Our review
Pros
  • Searchable catalog covers services, APIs, libraries, infrastructure, and ownership
  • Templates standardize component creation and repository publishing
  • TechDocs, Kubernetes support, permissions, and plugins support platform teams
  • Universal catalog covers services, environments, and cloud resources
  • No-code actions support provisioning and day-two operations
  • Integrates with Kubernetes, cloud, repositories, and infrastructure tools
Cons
  • Self-hosted deployment requires implementation and ongoing operational effort
  • The broad plugin model can require more configuration than narrower portals
  • Scorecards are available through plugins rather than as a core feature
  • Free plan limits scorecards and self-service actions to 10 users
  • Catalog items on the Free plan are subject to a data cap
  • Self-hosting is available only on Enterprise
Our verdict

Backstage is an open-source framework for building internal developer portals. It is aimed at developers, platform engineers, and engineering managers who need a central way to catalog services, APIs, libraries, infrastructure, and…

Read the review →

configure8 is an internal developer portal for technology and platform teams that need a central view of services, applications, environments, cloud resources, ownership, documentation, and dependencies. Its catalog can connect with cloud…

Read the review →
  1. BackstageInternal Developer Portals 9.4Free plan
  2. configure8Internal Developer Portals 9.3Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Backstage — where it wins

    • Searchable catalog covers services, APIs, libraries, infrastructure, and ownership
    • Templates standardize component creation and repository publishing
    • TechDocs, Kubernetes support, permissions, and plugins support platform teams

    Where it doesn't

    • Self-hosted deployment requires implementation and ongoing operational effort
    • The broad plugin model can require more configuration than narrower portals
    • Scorecards are available through plugins rather than as a core feature

  • configure8 — where it wins

    • Universal catalog covers services, environments, and cloud resources
    • No-code actions support provisioning and day-two operations
    • Integrates with Kubernetes, cloud, repositories, and infrastructure tools

    Where it doesn't

    • Free plan limits scorecards and self-service actions to 10 users
    • Catalog items on the Free plan are subject to a data cap
    • Self-hosting is available only on Enterprise
  • Backstage9.4/10 · Free plan

    A flexible self-hosted portal for cataloging software and enabling developer self-service.

    Visit BackstageFull verdict →
  • configure89.3/10 · Free plan

    A broad internal developer portal with no-code actions, scorecards, Kubernetes discovery, and a free plan.

    Visit configure8Full verdict →

More comparisons

All internal developer portals comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update