Free and open first
Best Databases And Backend in 2026
These services keep application data, provide APIs, handle authentication, synchronize updates, execute serverless code, and store files. They support projects running on the web, mobile devices, Linux, self-hosted infrastructure, and APIs.
- 33 apps
- Research read 7 Oct 2026
- How the order is worked out
- 1
Aiven for PostgreSQL
Free plan Open source APISelf-hostedWebAiven for PostgreSQL handles routine database operations and includes recovery features, with extensions and cloud-provider options.
- 2
TiDB Cloud
by TiDB CloudFree plan Open source APILinuxSelf-hosted+1TiDB Cloud pairs managed database hosting with a free Starter quota and support for transactional and analytical workloads.
- 3
Amazon DynamoDB
Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+5DynamoDB offers managed NoSQL storage with automatic scaling, multiple access patterns and recovery options.
- 4
Appwrite Realtime
Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+2 - 5
Amazon RDS
Free plan APISelf-hostedWebAmazon RDS combines a broad engine selection with managed backups, scaling, and AWS security and monitoring integrations.
7.5 Visit site - 6
Azure SQL Database
Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+4Azure SQL Database pairs managed operations with development interfaces, APIs, and recovery capabilities. Review the free-tier limits and overage behavior before relying on the free offer.
- 7
Backendless
by BackendlessFree plan WebiPhoneAndroidBackendless combines core backend services with mobile publishing across three listed platforms.
- 8
Convex
Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+2 - 9
Azure Cosmos DB for NoSQL
by Azure Cosmos DB for NoSQLFree plan APISelf-hostedChoose Azure Cosmos DB for NoSQL if your application needs a managed cloud database with JSON documents, transactions, scaling, or multi-region support.
- 10
CockroachDB Cloud
by CockroachDB CloudFree plan APILinuxWebCockroachDB Cloud combines managed operations with distributed SQL and deployments across regions and cloud providers.
- 11
Firestore
Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+1Firestore combines flexible document storage with search, transactions, real-time updates, and offline syncing. Check the database quota and server-side IAM requirements when assessing its fit.
- 12
Hasura
Free plan APILinuxSelf-hosted+1Hasura offers multiple API types, database connections, and deployment paths.
- 13
Amazon Aurora
by Amazon AuroraFree plan APIChoose Amazon Aurora if you need a managed relational database with PostgreSQL, MySQL, or DSQL engines and want database operations through the RDS console, CLI, or API.
7.2 Visit site - 14
Neon
Free plan APILinuxMac+2Neon combines managed PostgreSQL with compute that can pause during inactivity, database branching, and programmatic management.
- 15
Nhost
Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+5 - 16
PocketBase
Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+5 - 17
Railway
Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+4Railway brings deployment, infrastructure, observability and environment workflows together, with multiple deployment sources and database templates.
- 18
Supabase
Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+4Supabase brings a Postgres database and several backend services together, with client libraries and self-hosting documentation.
- 19
- 20
Directus
Free plan Web - 21
Parse Platform
Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+3Parse Platform offers a broad, deployable backend with APIs, Cloud Code, authentication, real-time features, and multiple storage choices.
- 22
Xata
Free plan APISelf-hostedWeb - 23
- 24
Google Cloud Spanner
Free trial APILinuxSelf-hosted+1Spanner combines several data models with scaling, search, and live-data analytics capabilities.
- 25
Google Cloud SQL
by Google Cloud SQLFree trial APILinuxMac+2Cloud SQL offers managed relational databases with backups, recovery, availability, and migration support.
#1Places #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 on this list can be bought by the makers of the software on it. See the price
Evaluate options by free access, entry pricing, data model, authentication, live synchronization, deployment approach, serverless support, file handling, and API design. Where relevant, inspect licence terms, free-tier limits, and trial conditions.
Questions
Do these database and backend tools have free plans?
Some entries include a free plan. Review each option's limits, conditions, and price at which paid use starts.
Are free trials available?
Certain entries provide a trial period. Check its length, included capabilities, and billing conditions for the option you select.
Can I use an open-source backend?
Some listed options provide open-source code. Verify the licence before modifying, using, or redistributing it.
Which platforms do these tools support?
The list covers web, API, self-hosted, Linux, iOS, and Android platforms.
What should I compare between options?
Review each option's free access, starting price, database model, built-in authentication, live sync, deployment method, serverless functions, file storage, and API style.