# parse-community/parse-server

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21,399 stars · 4,824 forks · JavaScript · Apache-2.0

## Links

- GitHub: https://github.com/parse-community/parse-server
- Homepage: https://parseplatform.org
- awesome-repositories: https://awesome-repositories.com/repository/parse-community-parse-server.md

## Topics

`baas` `backend` `file-storage` `graphql` `graphql-api` `graphql-relay` `graphql-server` `hacktoberfest` `mbaas` `mongodb` `nodejs` `notifications` `object-storage` `parse-platform` `parse-server` `postgres` `relay` `rest-api`

## Description

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 platform covers broad capability areas including identity and access management with third-party authentication integration, binary data management for file hosting, and advanced data querying using native database aggregation pipelines. It incorporates security layers for field-level data protection, account policy enforcement, and traffic management utilities such as rate limiting and query complexity capping.

The server can be deployed via containerized images and supports asynchronous initialization to ensure all internal components are loaded before processing requests.

## Tags

### Data & Databases

- [Backend-as-a-Service Platforms](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/data-databases/backend-as-a-service-platforms.md) — Functions as a complete backend-as-a-service platform providing database, storage, and authentication services. ([source](https://github.com/parse-community/parse-server#readme))
- [GraphQL API Generators](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/data-databases/data-access-querying/database-apis/graphql-api-generators.md) — Automatically derives GraphQL schemas and resolvers from the application's underlying data models. ([source](https://github.com/parse-community/parse-server#readme))
- [Data Querying](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/data-databases/data-querying.md) — Supports complex data retrieval using regex, dot notation on arrays, and result set limits. ([source](https://github.com/parse-community/parse-server/blob/alpha/changelogs/CHANGELOG_alpha.md))
- [Data Schema Definitions](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/data-databases/data-schema-definitions.md) — Provides tools for creating user-defined schemas and managing database migrations and index retention. ([source](https://github.com/parse-community/parse-server/blob/alpha/changelogs/CHANGELOG_alpha.md))
- [Database Change Subscriptions](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/data-databases/database-change-subscriptions.md) — Implements a live query mechanism to stream real-time updates of specific data fields to clients. ([source](https://github.com/parse-community/parse-server/blob/master/DEPRECATIONS.md))
- [Live Update Subscriptions](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/data-databases/record-updating/live-update-subscriptions.md) — Maintains persistent connections to push real-time database change notifications to clients via a subscription model.
- [Storage Backend Adapters](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/data-databases/storage-backend-adapters.md) — Abstracts database and file system interactions through interchangeable drivers to support multiple backends.
- [Unified Storage Interfaces](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/data-databases/unified-storage-interfaces.md) — Streams binary data between clients and storage providers using a unified API for local and cloud environments.
- [Cloud Storage Integrations](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/data-databases/cloud-storage-integrations.md) — Integrates with remote cloud platforms to host and manage application files. ([source](https://github.com/parse-community/parse-server/blob/alpha/README.md))
- [Data Aggregation Pipelines](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/data-databases/data-aggregation-pipelines.md) — Processes large datasets through transformation stages using native database aggregation frameworks.
- [Database-Native Aggregations](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/data-databases/data-aggregation-pipelines/database-native-aggregations.md) — Executes complex data processing pipelines using database-native syntax to transform and summarize records. ([source](https://github.com/parse-community/parse-server/blob/alpha/DEPRECATIONS.md))
- [File Storage Adapters](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/data-databases/file-storage-adapters.md) — Provides an adapter-based storage layer to interact with various cloud storage providers and local disks. ([source](https://github.com/parse-community/parse-server#readme))
- [File Upload Management](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/data-databases/file-upload-management.md) — Handles binary file storage with support for stream-based uploads and directory organization. ([source](https://github.com/parse-community/parse-server/blob/alpha/changelogs/CHANGELOG_alpha.md))

### Web Development

- [Node.js Server Frameworks](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/web-development/backend-development/web-frameworks/node-js-server-frameworks.md) — Provides a complete server environment for managing database schemas, authentication, and API routing using Node.js and Express.
- [GraphQL APIs](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/web-development/graphql-apis.md) — Automatically generates a GraphQL schema from the application data model to support custom queries and mutations.
- [Real-Time Data Streaming](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/web-development/real-time-data-streaming.md) — Pushes database updates to clients instantly using a live query mechanism for reactive interfaces. ([source](https://github.com/parse-community/parse-server#readme))
- [Request Routing](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/web-development/request-routing.md) — Maps incoming HTTP requests to specific handlers or pages using a configurable routing system. ([source](https://github.com/parse-community/parse-server/blob/alpha/DEPRECATIONS.md))
- [Server Functions](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/web-development/web-infrastructure-deployment/web-infrastructure-servers/server-functions.md) — Implements server-side functions that allow clients to invoke custom backend logic with automated data encoding. ([source](https://github.com/parse-community/parse-server/blob/alpha/DEPRECATIONS.md))
- [Public Page Mapping](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/web-development/custom-api-endpoints/endpoint-specification/service-endpoints/public-page-mapping.md) — Maps incoming HTTP requests to specific pages or routers to serve content via a public interface. ([source](https://github.com/parse-community/parse-server/blob/master/DEPRECATIONS.md))
- [Custom Web Routes](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/web-development/routing-systems/routing/route-definition-strategies/custom-web-routes.md) — Enables the creation of custom URL paths to build specific user flows and web pages. ([source](https://github.com/parse-community/parse-server#readme))

### Networking & Communication

- [Real-Time Data Engines](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/networking-communication/communication-protocols-architectures/communication-layers/real-time-data-engines.md) — Implements a real-time data engine that pushes database updates to clients via persistent WebSocket connections.
- [Middleware-Based Request Pipelines](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/networking-communication/communication-protocols-architectures/request-processing-architectures/request-processing/middleware-based-request-pipelines.md) — Processes incoming HTTP requests through a modular chain of validators for rate limiting and access control.

### Security & Cryptography

- [Field-Level Access Controls](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/security-cryptography/field-level-access-controls.md) — Restricts access to specific object fields based on the identity of the requester or the trigger. ([source](https://github.com/parse-community/parse-server/blob/alpha/DEPRECATIONS.md))
- [Identity and Access Management](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/security-cryptography/identity-access-management.md) — Coordinates user authentication, email verification, and fine-grained access control for data fields.
- [Field-Level Permissions](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/security-cryptography/identity-access-management/access-control/data-resource-permissions/row-level-security/field-level-permissions.md) — Implements security policies that restrict access to specific sensitive fields based on ownership or permissions. ([source](https://github.com/parse-community/parse-server/blob/master/DEPRECATIONS.md))
- [Third-Party Authentication Providers](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/security-cryptography/third-party-authentication-providers.md) — Connects external identity providers to manage user logins and verify the expiration of authentication tokens. ([source](https://github.com/parse-community/parse-server/blob/alpha/DEPRECATIONS.md))
- [Token-Based Authentication](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/security-cryptography/token-based-authentication.md) — Handles user authentication and session persistence using secure tokens and third-party identity provider adapters.
- [User Identity Management](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/security-cryptography/user-identity-management.md) — Provides a comprehensive system for managing user profiles, authentication, and the identity data lifecycle. ([source](https://github.com/parse-community/parse-server/blob/alpha/changelogs/CHANGELOG_alpha.md))
- [API Access Security](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/security-cryptography/api-access-security.md) — Restricts API access via IP-based filters, route allow-lists, and protected field exemptions. ([source](https://github.com/parse-community/parse-server/blob/alpha/changelogs/CHANGELOG_alpha.md))
- [Brute-Force Protection](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/security-cryptography/brute-force-protection.md) — Temporarily disables user accounts after a set number of failed login attempts to prevent brute-force attacks. ([source](https://github.com/parse-community/parse-server/blob/alpha/README.md))
- [Administrative Access Restrictions](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/security-cryptography/domain-access-restrictions/administrative-access-restrictions.md) — Limits the IP addresses permitted to use the master security key to prevent unauthorized administrative access. ([source](https://github.com/parse-community/parse-server/blob/master/DEPRECATIONS.md))
- [Email Verification Flows](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/security-cryptography/email-authentication-strategies/email-verification-flows.md) — Validates a user's identity via a token-based email link to ensure the provided address is owned by the user. ([source](https://github.com/parse-community/parse-server/blob/alpha/8.0.0.md))
- [Email Verification Services](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/security-cryptography/email-verification-services.md) — Implements automated workflows for account verification and password reset emails using third-party adapters. ([source](https://github.com/parse-community/parse-server/blob/alpha/README.md))
- [File Upload Security](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/security-cryptography/file-upload-security.md) — Prevents SSRF attacks by validating file URLs against a list of allowed domains during upload. ([source](https://github.com/parse-community/parse-server/blob/alpha/changelogs/CHANGELOG_alpha.md))
- [Strength Analyzers](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/security-cryptography/password-management/strength-analyzers.md) — Validates password strength using regex patterns and prevents the reuse of previous passwords. ([source](https://github.com/parse-community/parse-server/blob/alpha/README.md))
- [Route-Based Restrictions](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/security-cryptography/rest-api-security/route-based-restrictions.md) — Limits external access to specific REST API routes using regex patterns to ensure approved interaction paths. ([source](https://github.com/parse-community/parse-server#readme))
- [File Download Permissions](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/security-cryptography/security/policies/host-resource-access/file-system-access-controls/file-download-permissions.md) — Controls file download permissions and customizes response headers for security and content-type validation. ([source](https://github.com/parse-community/parse-server/blob/alpha/changelogs/CHANGELOG_alpha.md))
- [User Access Management](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/security-cryptography/user-access-management.md) — Controls whether users can be created by clients and restricts direct access to user data. ([source](https://github.com/parse-community/parse-server/blob/master/DEPRECATIONS.md))
- [Identity Verification](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/security-cryptography/user-access-management/identity-verification.md) — Coordinates email verification and password reset workflows using configurable email adapters. ([source](https://github.com/parse-community/parse-server#readme))
- [Account Security Policies](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/security-cryptography/user-account-management/account-security-policies.md) — Enforces security requirements for user passwords and general account management. ([source](https://github.com/parse-community/parse-server#readme))
- [User Privacy Protection](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/security-cryptography/user-privacy-protection.md) — Enforces private user settings and restricts direct access to user data for security and compliance. ([source](https://github.com/parse-community/parse-server/blob/alpha/DEPRECATIONS.md))

### Part of an Awesome List

- [Response Sanitization](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/awesome-lists/security/security-and-sanitization/response-sanitization.md) — Removes detailed error messages and protected fields from API responses to prevent sensitive information leakage. ([source](https://github.com/parse-community/parse-server/blob/alpha/changelogs/CHANGELOG_alpha.md))

### Development Tools & Productivity

- [Field-Level Live Updates](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/development-tools-productivity/configuration-updates/real-time-push-updates/field-level-live-updates.md) — Watches for specific field changes or distance queries to push live updates to clients instantly. ([source](https://github.com/parse-community/parse-server/blob/alpha/changelogs/CHANGELOG_alpha.md))
- [Runtime Function Mapping](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/development-tools-productivity/local-function-execution/runtime-function-mapping.md) — Executes custom server-side JavaScript logic by mapping API requests to user-defined functions at runtime.

### DevOps & Infrastructure

- [Backend Framework Deployment](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/devops-infrastructure/backend-framework-deployment.md) — Allows mounting a ready-to-use backend to a server to handle API requests and data management. ([source](https://github.com/parse-community/parse-server/blob/alpha/README.md))
- [Custom Logic Triggers](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/devops-infrastructure/cloud-function-invocation-tools/custom-logic-triggers.md) — Provides custom server-side functions that support multipart form data and custom HTTP status codes. ([source](https://github.com/parse-community/parse-server/blob/alpha/changelogs/CHANGELOG_alpha.md))

### Software Engineering & Architecture

- [Inter-Function Communication](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/software-engineering-architecture/function-execution-engines/inter-function-communication.md) — Supports executing server-side logic and handling data encoding for objects passed between different backend functions. ([source](https://github.com/parse-community/parse-server/blob/master/DEPRECATIONS.md))
- [Query Complexity Calculators](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/software-engineering-architecture/query-complexity-calculators.md) — Caps the resource consumption of incoming queries to prevent performance degradation and denial-of-service attacks. ([source](https://github.com/parse-community/parse-server/blob/alpha/DEPRECATIONS.md))
- [Rate Limiting](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/software-engineering-architecture/request-throttling/rate-limiting.md) — Caps request volume based on IP address, user, or session using local or distributed limiting to maintain system stability. ([source](https://github.com/parse-community/parse-server/blob/alpha/changelogs/CHANGELOG_alpha.md))