Backendless vs Form.io: 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 Backendless and Form.io 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:
Backendless
Backend as a service with visual app development
Best for you if:
- • You want codeless backend
Form.io
The self-hosted developer productivity platform for building forms and APIs within your applications.
Best for you if:
- • You want self-hosted for complete data ownership and control
| At a Glance | Backendless | Form.io |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free plan | Free plan, paid from $220/seat/mo, billed yearly Developer Licenses (5 licenses) plan |
Category | Low-Code Backend Data & Databases | Form Builders API Tools |
Rating | 4.4/5 G2 4.4 56 reviews | 4.3/5 G2 4.3 40 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Watch out for | n/a | Each core feature (API, PDF, Reporting) is a separate monthly fee. |
Choose Backendless or Form.io?
Choose Backendless if
- You want codeless backend
- You want visual development
- You work in low-code backend, not form builders
Choose Form.io if
- You want self-hosted for complete data ownership and control
- You want builds forms and APIs simultaneously, reducing development time
- You work in form builders, not low-code backend
In-Depth Analysis
Backendless
Backend as a service with visual app development
The pricing structure is incredibly generous, offering both a fully functional free cloud tier and a self-hosted 'Pro' tier for $0.
Strengths
- Pro: Codeless backend
- Pro: Visual development
- Pro: Real-time database
- Pro: Good for prototypes
- Pro: Fair pricing
Weaknesses
- Con: Vendor lock-in
- Con: Learning curve
- Con: Limited customization
- Con: Performance varies
- Con: Documentation gaps
Key features
Form.io
The self-hosted developer productivity platform for building forms and APIs within your applications.
Form.io's pricing structure is complex and can quickly become expensive, especially for smaller teams or projects.
Watch out
Each core feature (API, PDF, Reporting) is a separate monthly fee.
Strengths
- Pro: Self-hosted for complete data ownership and control.
- Pro: Builds forms and APIs simultaneously, reducing development time.
- Pro: Standardizes data using JSON across forms, APIs, and databases.
- Pro: Highly configurable and scalable for enterprise environments.
- Pro: Supports complex form requirements, integrations, and security compliance.
Weaknesses
- Con: No free tier, making initial exploration potentially costly.
- Con: Pricing model is configuration-based, which might be complex to estimate for smaller projects.
- Con: Requires self-hosting and deployment, which might be a barrier for non-technical users or smaller teams without DevOps resources.
Key features
Plans and prices: Backendless vs Form.io
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Backendless |
| backendless.com/pricing read Nov 2, 2026 |
| Form.io |
| form.io/pricing read Oct 26, 2026 |
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 Backendless pricing and Form.io pricing.
Key Takeaways
Backendless
- Choose if you want backend as a service with visual app development
Form.io
- Choose if you want the self-hosted developer productivity platform for building forms and APIs within your applications
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 are within 0.2 points (4.4/5 from 56 reviews for Backendless, 4.3/5 from 40 reviews for Form.io).
- Form.io starts at $220/seat/mo, billed yearly; Backendless 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 Backendless and Form.io 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 are within 0.2 points (4.4/5 from 56 reviews for Backendless, 4.3/5 from 40 reviews for Form.io). Form.io starts at $220/seat/mo, billed yearly; Backendless has no public paid plan price on file. Both have a free plan.
What are Backendless and Form.io used for?
Backendless: Backend as a service with visual app development. Form.io: The self-hosted developer productivity platform for building forms and APIs within your applications.
What does Backendless cost vs Form.io?
Backendless has no public paid-plan price on file. Form.io's cheapest paid plan is Developer Licenses (5 licenses) at $220/seat/mo, billed yearly; it also has a free plan. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Nov 2, 2026.
What's the main difference between Backendless and Form.io?
Backendless's main strength: codeless backend. Form.io's main strength: self-hosted for complete data ownership and control.