Backendless vs PubNub: 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 PubNub 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
PubNub
Build, manage, and optimize real-time interactive applications at scale.
Best for you if:
- • You want ultra-low-latency communication for real-time experiences
| At a Glance | Backendless | PubNub |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free plan | Free plan, paid from $98/mo, billed monthly Starter Plan plan |
Category | Low-Code Backend Data & Databases | API Tools Developer Tools |
Rating | 4.4/5 G2 4.4 56 reviews | 4.3/5 G2 4.4 · Trustpilot 3.7 25 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Watch out for | n/a | Overage fees for exceeding MAU/transaction limits |
Choose Backendless or PubNub?
Choose Backendless if
- You want codeless backend
- You want visual development
- You work in low-code backend, not API tools
Choose PubNub if
- You want ultra-low-latency communication for real-time experiences
- You want scalable infrastructure supporting millions of concurrent users
- You work in API tools, 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
PubNub
Build, manage, and optimize real-time interactive applications at scale.
PubNub's pricing offers a generous free tier for initial exploration, but quickly scales up to a $98/month Starter plan.
Watch out
Overage fees for exceeding MAU/transaction limits
Strengths
- Pro: Ultra-low-latency communication for real-time experiences.
- Pro: Scalable infrastructure supporting millions of concurrent users.
- Pro: Comprehensive SDKs for various platforms (web, mobile, IoT).
- Pro: Built-in features like chat, presence, and mobile push notifications.
- Pro: Real-time analytics and AI-driven insights for optimization.
Weaknesses
- Con: Complexity might be high for very simple real-time needs.
- Con: Pricing for high-scale usage might require custom models.
Key features
Plans and prices: Backendless vs PubNub
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Backendless |
| backendless.com/pricing read Nov 2, 2026 |
| PubNub |
| pubnub.com/pricing read Nov 2, 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 PubNub pricing.
Key Takeaways
Backendless
- Choose if you want backend as a service with visual app development
PubNub
- Choose if you want build, manage, and optimize real-time interactive applications at scale
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 25 reviews for PubNub).
- PubNub starts at $98/mo, billed monthly; 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 PubNub 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 25 reviews for PubNub). PubNub starts at $98/mo, billed monthly; Backendless has no public paid plan price on file. Both have a free plan.
What are Backendless and PubNub used for?
Backendless: Backend as a service with visual app development. PubNub: Build, manage, and optimize real-time interactive applications at scale.
What does Backendless cost vs PubNub?
Backendless has no public paid-plan price on file. PubNub's cheapest paid plan is Starter Plan at $98/mo, billed monthly; 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 PubNub?
Backendless's main strength: codeless backend. PubNub's main strength: ultra-low-latency communication for real-time experiences.