App42 Cloud API

Overview

App42 Cloud API is a REST backend toolkit for developers building apps across mobile, web, and other platforms. It is best suited to teams that need several backend services, particularly analytics or gaming, in one API product. Its breadth is useful, but teams needing committed uptime must move beyond the Best Effort plans.

Key features

More than 20 modules and 400 APIs span user and session management, storage, recommendations, photo galleries, queues, messaging, gaming, and geospatial services. That range can consolidate multiple backend needs; projects seeking only one narrowly defined function may find the toolkit broader than necessary. REST interfaces accept JSON and XML.

Analytics cover API calls, storage use, installations, user activity, push messages, and custom event funnels. App42 can track users associated with Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, or App42 Single Sign-On, which helps teams relate service activity to user behavior. Gaming support includes global leaderboards and rankings among a player's Facebook friends.

Cloud Code runs server-side logic, combines App42 services, creates APIs, and schedules code execution. That flexibility is valuable when built-in modules do not cover a backend workflow. SDKs span Android, iOS, Windows, Unity 3D, C#, Cocos2dx, Raspberry Pi, Corona, PHP, Java, JavaScript, Flash, Marmalade, Samsung Smart TV, Xamarin, and Blackberry 10; downloading them requires email registration.

Support is directed through the App42 Forum for technical help, with customer support at [email protected].

Pricing

Two free plans cover different entry points. Free (1 Mo) costs nothing and includes 1 Million API Calls, 1 GB bandwidth, 1 GB storage, 5 leaderboards, and a 25 burst limit. It is a constrained starting point for a small app, but the call, storage, and leaderboard caps leave little room for growth. Free (Multiplayer Gaming) costs nothing and includes 2 million messages, making it a separate route for evaluating multiplayer messaging. Both have Best Effort uptime.

Medium starts at $85 a month on the yearly option, billed $85 /Mo, payable yearly. It provides 15 Million API Calls, 15 GB bandwidth, 15 GB storage, 50 leaderboards, and a 30 burst limit. The same quotas cost $95 a month billed $95 /Mo, payable biannually, or $100 a month billed $100 /Mo. Large offers 50 Million API Calls, 50 GB bandwidth, 50 GB storage, 200 leaderboards, and a 40 burst limit for $255 a month billed $255 /Mo, payable yearly; the biannual price is $285 a month billed $285 /Mo, payable biannually, and the monthly price is $300 a month billed $300 /Mo. These tiers scale capacity, but retain Best Effort uptime, so the higher quotas do not bring a committed SLA.

Full House (Multiplayer Gaming) costs $100 a month billed $100 /Mo and includes 300 million messages; extra messages cost 4 cents/10000. Enterprise has custom pricing and a customized package with Committed SLAs, the relevant step for teams that require contractual uptime terms.

The Data Backup plan permits requests of up to 20 GB each. The stated plan information does not give its price, so it should not be folded into a budget without confirming the commercial terms.

Platforms

App42 supports Android, iOS, Windows, Swift, Java, Unity, JavaScript, Corona, Cocos2DX, .NET, PHP, Marmalade, Ruby, Flash, and REST. The SDK range makes it relevant to teams shipping across mobile, web, game, and other listed environments.

Who it's for

App42 suits developers who want a broad REST backend with analytics, custom server-side logic, or leaderboard and messaging capabilities. Its free plans can support initial evaluation, while Medium and Large raise usage ceilings for growing workloads. It is a weaker fit for teams that need committed uptime on a standard tier or only need a single backend capability.

Pros and cons

• Pro: More than 20 modules and 400 APIs cover diverse backend functions, reducing the need to source every capability separately.
• Pro: Cloud Code extends the service with custom logic, API creation, service combinations, and scheduled execution.
• Pro: Separate free options address general API use and multiplayer messaging.
• Con: Free, Medium, and Large plans use Best Effort uptime; Committed SLAs are tied to custom-priced Enterprise.
• Con: The free general-purpose tier caps API calls, bandwidth, storage, leaderboards, and burst limit.
• Con: SDK downloads require email registration, adding a step before developers can obtain the packages.

Alternatives

brainCloud is worth comparing for teams seeking a freemium backend with a free trial and support options including chat and forums. Construct 3 is an alternative for individuals and hobbyists looking for a personal license with all features unlocked and cancellation at any time. Metaplay suits developers who want to build and run locally with a full SDK and local server without hard limits on local development. AccelByte Gaming Services offers a public-cloud option that is free while building, with usage fees as players arrive. CheddaBoards is a simpler free leaderboard option, with three games per account and unlimited players without per-player fees. Colyseus offers an open-source self-hosted route with community support and no restrictions. Crux is another freemium alternative with a free Dev plan that includes 10,000 MAU per month and 2M API calls. LEADR may suit leaderboard needs centered on a free monthly allowance of 10,000 score submissions and basic anti-cheat. For a broader comparison of ranking-focused products, browse Game Leaderboard Software.

Verdict

Choose App42 Cloud API if your development team can use its broad backend toolkit, analytics, or gaming services together and can work within Best Effort uptime on standard plans. Its main draw is the combination of many APIs with Cloud Code and separate entry points for general use and multiplayer messaging. Look elsewhere if committed uptime is essential but Enterprise custom pricing is not suitable, or if your project needs only a narrow capability.