Forge review
Forge gives developers a visual relational backend with generated REST and GraphQL APIs.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Forge is a browser-based backend-as-a-service platform for developers who want to create relational databases and APIs without building backend infrastructure from scratch. Teams define tables and columns visually, then receive generated REST and GraphQL endpoints. The platform also supports SQL over HTTPS, end-user signup and login with JWT authentication, user-scoped row-level access, data import and export, and connections to external MySQL and PostgreSQL databases. It fits web, mobile, and API-driven projects that need a backend console rather than a fully custom infrastructure layer.
The strongest part of Forge is the path from schema design to usable API access. Developers can work in a browser-based table designer, query data with SQL over HTTPS, and add composable middleware for rate limiting, CORS, authentication, and logging. This combines generated API endpoints with controls for user-scoped data access. Team roles add admin, editor, and viewer access, while JSON and SQL import/export support data movement. The Free plan includes project creation, table definition, live REST and GraphQL APIs, and requires no credit card.
Forge also connects with React, Next.js, Vue, Nuxt, Laravel, PHP, Python, Django, Postman, Insomnia, curl, fetch, iOS, Swift, and Android. That breadth makes it suitable for teams building across web, mobile, and API clients. External database connectivity is focused on MySQL and PostgreSQL, and the documented feature scope centers on relational data, generated APIs, authentication, access control, and middleware. Teams wanting those capabilities with minimal backend setup should consider Forge. Teams whose requirements include realtime data, file storage, or serverless functions should compare alternatives that explicitly document those capabilities.
Forge pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Free plan includes projects, tables, REST and GraphQL APIs
- Visual schema design with SQL over HTTPS
- JWT auth, row-level access and composable API middleware
- Where it doesn't
- External database connectivity is limited to MySQL and PostgreSQL
- Documented team roles are limited to admin, editor and viewer
- Its scope centers on relational data and generated APIs
Forge fact sheet, pricing and score →
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