Custom data backend

graphql-engine is an automated GraphQL API engine that transforms database tables and relationships into a queryable GraphQL schema. It functions as a federation gateway and mapper, instantly generating APIs with built-in filtering, pagination, and mutations from existing databases and remote schemas. The project distinguishes itself through a fine-grained access control layer that enforces row-level and field-level permissions. It further provides a real-time data subscription server that converts standard queries into live streams and a system for triggering event-driven webhooks and notifi

Nhost is an open-source backend as a service that provides a managed PostgreSQL database, authentication, and file storage accessible through a unified GraphQL API. It functions as a backend infrastructure orchestrator, enabling the deployment and management of full-stack environments using containerization and command-line automation. The platform distinguishes itself by automating the transformation of relational database tables into a secure GraphQL API and providing an integrated identity provider that supports passwords, magic links, and OAuth. It also includes a serverless function runt

This project provides an integrated backend platform built around a relational database. It automatically generates REST and GraphQL APIs from database schemas, allowing for direct data interaction through standard requests and client libraries. The platform includes a comprehensive authentication system that manages user identity, session handling, and fine-grained access control through database-native row-level security policies. Beyond core data management, the platform offers specialized services for object storage, vector data processing for semantic search, and real-time communication

NocoDB is a visual platform that transforms relational databases into collaborative, spreadsheet-style workspaces. By acting as a headless database backend, it provides a unified environment for designing database structures, managing record relationships, and interacting with data without requiring manual SQL queries. The platform normalizes interactions across various SQL and NoSQL data sources, allowing users to manage complex datasets through a centralized interface. The project distinguishes itself by automatically generating RESTful and GraphQL APIs from existing database schemas, enabl

PostGraphile is an automated tool that converts a PostgreSQL database schema into a fully functional GraphQL API. It serves as a GraphQL execution engine and schema orchestrator, utilizing database schema introspection to retrieve strongly typed metadata directly from PostgreSQL. The project features a modular system for composing and standardizing GraphQL schemas through plugins, which manage naming conventions and connections. It includes a PostgreSQL query builder that constructs dynamic, SQL-injection-proof queries using tagged template literals. The system employs a declarative query pl

Pocketbase is a backend-as-a-service platform that provides a self-contained, single-binary server for building full-stack applications. It integrates a relational database, authentication, and file storage into one executable process, eliminating the need for external infrastructure or complex server management. The platform distinguishes itself through an embedded database engine that runs directly within the application process and a reactive communication layer that pushes live updates to connected clients. By monitoring internal transaction logs, it synchronizes data across multiple user

Parse Server is a backend-as-a-service solution and Node.js framework that provides a ready-to-use REST and GraphQL API for mobile and web applications. It functions as a core backend infrastructure for managing database schemas, user authentication, and API routing. The system distinguishes itself with a real-time data engine that pushes database updates to clients via WebSockets and a GraphQL server that automatically generates schemas based on application data models. It also features an adapter-based storage layer that abstracts interactions with various cloud and local backends. The pla

Horizon is a realtime API server and RethinkDB backend designed to push database changes instantly to front-end clients. It utilizes a WebSocket data streaming API to synchronize data between the database and user interfaces without requiring manual polling. The project integrates an OAuth identity manager for verifying user identities through third-party providers and a role-based access control system to define granular permissions for viewing or modifying database documents. It is delivered as a containerized backend framework, allowing the server and its dependencies to be deployed as a p

PostgREST is a standalone server process that automatically transforms a relational database schema into a fully functional RESTful API. By querying system catalogs at startup, it maps tables, views, and stored procedures into standardized web endpoints, allowing developers to build backend services by focusing exclusively on database design. The service functions as a declarative engine that translates HTTP requests and query parameters directly into native SQL operations. It maintains stateless request processing and integrates connection pooling to manage high-frequency interactions effici

API Platform is a headless content management system engine and framework used to build REST and GraphQL APIs. It utilizes schema-driven generation to automatically produce web endpoints based on predefined data model definitions. The platform focuses on semantic data modeling, using structured classes and ontologies to ensure information is organized for search engines and semantic web tools. It provides an automated OpenAPI specification generator and a declarative system for creating administration dashboards to manage data records without custom frontend code. The system includes capabil

Appwrite is a backend-as-a-service platform that provides a unified development environment for building full-stack applications. It integrates essential infrastructure components—including authentication, databases, storage, and serverless functions—into a single, centralized interface to simplify application development and resource management. The platform distinguishes itself through a container-based microservices architecture that ensures consistent execution across diverse infrastructure. It features a versatile connectivity layer that links frontend applications with third-party servi

Directus is a headless content platform that functions as a backend service, automatically generating REST and GraphQL APIs by performing introspection on existing SQL database schemas. It serves as a unified data orchestration layer, decoupling content management from frontend delivery while providing a secure, stateless gateway for database transactions. The platform distinguishes itself through a granular role-based access control engine that enforces security policies at the field level across all API endpoints. It includes a visual, low-code administrative dashboard that allows non-techn

Amplication is a low-code API platform and backend service generator designed to accelerate the development of business domain services. It automates the creation of APIs and data models through schema-driven code generation, transforming structured definitions into executable backend source code. The platform functions as a developer portal orchestrator that establishes standardized workflows and golden paths for software delivery. It enforces organizational coding standards and best practices by applying live templates and predefined blueprints across all generated services. The system inc

Open-source Back-end, self-hostable & ready to use - Real-time, storage, advanced search - Web, Apps, Mobile, IoT -

Eve is a REST API framework that maps database collections to web resources through declarative configuration files. It functions as a database-to-API mapper, automatically exposing data as RESTful endpoints with built-in support for CRUD operations and schema-based request validation. The project distinguishes itself through a HATEOAS API engine that generates hypermedia links and resource schemas for dynamic client discovery. It also includes an automated Swagger documentation generator that produces interactive specifications for client SDK generation and testing. The framework provides a

Strapi is an open-source headless content management system and JavaScript framework used for defining content schemas and managing structured data. It functions as a REST and GraphQL API gateway that decouples backend data storage from frontend delivery. The system includes a self-hosted administration interface for managing content entries and defining data models without manual database queries. The framework utilizes a plugin-based extension system to inject custom logic into the application lifecycle. It employs schema-driven content modeling to automatically generate database tables and

Feathers is a database-agnostic Node.js application framework designed for building scalable backend systems. It functions as a real-time API framework that provides a server implementation for both REST endpoints and WebSocket connections. The framework decouples application logic from the underlying database technology and communication protocols. This allows a single service to handle both HTTP and Socket requests while separating business logic from the specific data persistence layer. The system organizes data operations through a standardized service-based interface and utilizes hook-b

deployd is a realtime API framework and MongoDB backend as a service that allows for the creation of networked interfaces synchronizing data and events between clients and servers. It functions as a JavaScript API middleware that can be integrated with HTTP servers to provide authentication, request interceptors, and realtime capabilities. The project features a self-hosted API management dashboard for configuring resource settings, managing data collections, and monitoring server status through a web-based interface. It includes a realtime data synchronization engine that pushes live databas

Hoodie is a data synchronization framework and offline-first JavaScript backend designed to keep client-side data stores in sync with a remote backend. It provides a local-first persistence layer that allows applications to remain functional while offline by abstracting the client-side database. The system features a NoSQL backend interface that enables interaction with remote data stores without requiring custom server-side boilerplate code. This is supported by a modular driver system of pluggable backend adapters that connect the synchronization layer to various remote database providers.

Thin Backend is a backend-as-a-service platform that provisions PostgreSQL databases, automatically generates database-backed APIs, and provides built-in user authentication with zero manual configuration. It enables applications to store, query, and synchronize records in real time without requiring developers to write custom endpoints, route resolvers, or backend infrastructure setup. The platform provides a comprehensive capability set covering instant database provisioning, batch operations, database transactions, relational querying, and real-time data broadcasting across connected clien