Appwrite

Name: Appwrite
Availability: InStock

Open-source backend platform for web, mobile, and Flutter apps

From $0/mo

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About Appwrite

Appwrite bundles the most common backend services — auth, database, file storage, serverless functions, and push notifications — into a single self-hostable platform. Its REST and GraphQL APIs are available for any language, with official SDKs for web, iOS, Android, Flutter, and several server-side languages. The document database supports complex querying, permissions, and relationships. Appwrite Functions support 13+ runtimes and can be triggered via events, cron, or HTTP. Being open-source under a BSD-3 license, teams can audit, fork, and extend the platform. The cloud offering launched in 2023 provides a managed alternative for teams not wanting to maintain infrastructure.

Key Features

Authentication with 30+ OAuth providers

Document database with complex querying and permissions

File storage with image transformation

Serverless functions with 13+ runtimes

Real-time subscriptions

Push notifications and messaging

Self-hostable or cloud-managed

Pros & Cons

Pros

• True open-source — self-host with full control and no vendor lock-in
• Broad SDK support: web, mobile, Flutter, server SDKs
• Multi-language function runtimes far exceeds competitors
• Active community and transparent roadmap on GitHub

Cons

• Self-hosting requires DevOps knowledge (Docker/Kubernetes)
• Cloud offering is newer and less mature than Firebase
• Document database lacks advanced relational query capabilities
• Function cold starts can be noticeable in self-hosted setups

Best For

Teams needing open-source BaaS with self-hosting option Flutter and mobile developers Privacy-conscious companies avoiding cloud vendor lock-in Startups wanting Firebase-like DX without Google dependency