Appwrite vs Parse: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for Appwrite and Parse side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
Appwrite
Open-source backend for web, mobile, and Flutter. Self-host or cloud
Best for you if:
- • You want open source
Parse
An open-source backend framework for building scalable applications quickly.
Best for you if:
- • You want completely open-source and free to use
| At a Glance | Appwrite | Parse |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free plan, paid from $25/mo, billed monthly Pro plan | Free plan |
Category | Low-Code Backend Data & Databases | Data & Databases Low-Code Backend |
Rating | 4.4/5 G2 4.6 · Capterra 4.0 5 reviews | 3.8/5 G2 3.8 52 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Watch out for | Overage fees for exceeding Pro limits | n/a |
Choose Appwrite or Parse?
Choose Appwrite if
- You want open source
- You want self-hostable
- You work in low-code backend, not data & databases
Choose Parse if
- You want completely open-source and free to use
- You want accelerates application development
- You work in data & databases, not low-code backend
In-Depth Analysis
Appwrite
Open-source backend for web, mobile, and Flutter. Self-host or cloud
Appwrite's pricing is quite generous, especially the Free tier which offers substantial limits for hobbyists and small projects.
Watch out
Overage fees for exceeding Pro limits
Strengths
- Pro: Open source
- Pro: Self-hostable
- Pro: Multi-platform SDKs
Weaknesses
- Con: Smaller community
- Con: Less mature
Key features
Parse
An open-source backend framework for building scalable applications quickly.
Strengths
- Pro: Completely open-source and free to use
- Pro: Accelerates application development
- Pro: Flexible hosting options (self-hosted)
- Pro: Strong community support
- Pro: Supports multiple SDKs for various platforms
Weaknesses
- Con: Requires self-hosting and infrastructure management
- Con: Steeper learning curve for beginners compared to managed services
- Con: Maintenance and updates are the user's responsibility
Key features
Plans and prices: Appwrite vs Parse
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Appwrite |
| appwrite.io/pricing read Oct 28, 2026 |
| Parse | No plan prices on file | parseplatform.org |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on Appwrite pricing and Parse pricing.
Key Takeaways
Appwrite
- Choose if you want open-source backend for web, mobile, and Flutter. Self-host or cloud
Parse
- Choose if you want an open-source backend framework for building scalable applications quickly
What the data shows
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
- User ratings rest on too few reviews to rank (4.4/5 from 5 reviews for Appwrite, 3.8/5 from 52 reviews for Parse; we compare ratings only above 20 reviews on both sides).
- Appwrite starts at $25/mo, billed monthly; Parse has no public paid plan price on file.
- Both have a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Appwrite and Parse compare in 2026?
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair. User ratings rest on too few reviews to rank (4.4/5 from 5 reviews for Appwrite, 3.8/5 from 52 reviews for Parse; we compare ratings only above 20 reviews on both sides). Appwrite starts at $25/mo, billed monthly; Parse has no public paid plan price on file. Both have a free plan.
What are Appwrite and Parse used for?
Appwrite: Open-source backend for web, mobile, and Flutter. Self-host or cloud. Parse: An open-source backend framework for building scalable applications quickly.
What does Appwrite cost vs Parse?
Appwrite's cheapest paid plan is Pro at $25/mo, billed monthly; it also has a free plan. Parse has no public paid-plan price on file. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Oct 28, 2026.
What's the main difference between Appwrite and Parse?
Appwrite's main strength: open source. Parse's main strength: completely open-source and free to use.