Backendless and Xano are two popular options in the no-code/low-code space. Both help developers build backend systems without managing servers, but they take very different approaches to getting you there.
Backendless is built around visual development. With drag-and-drop features and built-in hosting, it’s a quick way to go from idea to live app, especially if you want all these capabilities in one place.
Xano focuses on flexibility and long-term scalability. It gives you a Postgres database, a visual API builder, and full control over logic, authentication, and workflows.
In this guide, we’ll compare Backendless and Xano across key areas like databases, API services, scalability, pricing, and community, and explain why Xano is the better choice for serious app projects.
What is Backendless?
Backendless is a visual no code platform designed to help developers build backend infrastructure without writing traditional server-side code. It combines essential features like a cloud database, real-time data synchronization, user management, and API services into a single platform.
One of its strongest advantages is the visual programming environment. Using a drag and drop interface, developers can design both the frontend and backend logic with minimal effort. The UI Builder comes packed with templates, visual components, and codeless workflows that make it easy to prototype and build full-featured apps.
Backendless also offers built-in hosting and deployment options. You can push your web app live with a single click or package it for mobile delivery through their native tools. Features like CDN support and SSL are included out of the box to help you manage performance and security without external services.
Still, there are limitations. Backendless has a smaller community, so finding solutions to edge cases or complex setups may take more time. As your app scales, you might notice the development speed slows down for complex workflows, especially when relying heavily on visual logic. Moreover, some teams report challenges when trying to scale their apps beyond the initial MVP phase, particularly when handling high traffic or advanced integrations.
What is Xano?
Xano is a visual backend platform that gives you the core building blocks for creating scalable apps. It includes a database, API services, authentication, and workflow automation, all without requiring server management. As a full backend as a service, it lets you focus on logic and business needs while the platform handles infrastructure setup and deployment.
One of Xano’s standout features is its API builder, designed to simplify backend development. When you create a database table, Xano automatically generates CRUD APIs, so you can start working with data immediately. You can enhance these APIs with custom logic, connect them to third-party services, and manage them through a clean visual interface.
Scalability is another core strength. Xano is built on PostgreSQL, a robust relational database that supports complex data models and large datasets. For production-grade needs, Xano supports self-hosting and Docker-based deployments, giving teams the flexibility to grow without changing platforms.
The platform also benefits from an active and expanding community. Frequent product updates, detailed documentation, and developer tutorials make it easier to adopt new features and troubleshoot issues. This ongoing support ecosystem helps teams move faster and stay confident in their tech stack.
The trade-off is a slightly higher learning curve. Xano may feel more complex than basic no-code platforms, especially for those unfamiliar with backend logic or data modeling. But for users looking for long-term flexibility and control, that initial learning pays off quickly.
Feature comparison: Backendless vs Xano
Choosing a backend is about how it’s implemented, how it scales, and whether it remains affordable as you scale. Backendless and Xano may target similar users, but their approaches to databases, APIs, performance, and support are fundamentally different. In this section, we break down those differences so you can decide which platform makes the most sense for the way you build.
Database Management
Xano is built around PostgreSQL and gives every project a dedicated database with no setup required. You can scale it horizontally and vertically, store unlimited records, and even generate your entire schema using AI. With features like visual table mapping, full-text search, auto-indexing, and 20+ supported data types, it supports everything from quick prototypes to enterprise-scale systems.
Backendless uses its own visual database with a built-in browser for managing data, schema, and relationships. It supports SQL-driven search and relational modeling, though it abstracts away the underlying engine. The SQL it supports is designed for querying within the platform rather than being tied to a specific database like MySQL or PostgreSQL.
So, which one should you choose?
If you're building a data-heavy app, need complex workflows, or want room to scale without limits, Xano is the better fit. But if your priority is simplicity and built-in content hosting, Backendless may be all you need.
API building and flexibility
Xano stands out for its visual API builder that balances no-code simplicity with advanced developer control. You can create custom endpoints in minutes, define logic visually, and drop into custom code when needed. Built-in tools like version history, branching, and a step-by-step debugger help you test, iterate, and deploy with confidence.
The platform also makes integration effortless. You can connect Xano to tools like Bubble, FlutterFlow, Draftbit, and other low-code and no-code frontends in seconds. Whether you're launching a SaaS, a marketplace, or a native mobile app, Xano handles the backend logic while letting you work with the frontend tools you already know.
Backendless also offers strong API services, especially for simple workflows and codeless development. You can visually create logic with Codeless, turn JavaScript or Node.js into instant APIs, and deploy services through CodeRunner or the Backendless Console. It supports built-in plugins like SMS, Amazon S3, and AI tools, with automatic API doc generation included.
So, which one should you use?
If your priority is flexible, production-ready APIs that you can build, test, and customize visually, Xano is the stronger choice. It provides more control, better debugging tools, and greater adaptability for evolving backend logic. Combined with its ability to integrate smoothly with modern frontend platforms like Bubble or FlutterFlow, Xano is a clear win for scalable apps with complex workflows.
But if you're working on a simpler app and want a faster start with drag-and-drop development and built-in plugins, Backendless delivers a solid set of features without needing to write any code.
Scalability and performance
Xano is architected for automatic scaling, with infrastructure that responds dynamically to changes in usage. It runs on Docker containers and is Kubernetes-orchestrated on Google Cloud, with support for projects ranging from lightweight MVPs to high-throughput enterprise applications. Xano supports both horizontal and vertical scaling, provisions dedicated API nodes and database nodes, and handles over 300 million API calls per month with zero rate limiting.
Performance optimization is tightly integrated into the platform. You can scale resources on demand by provisioning more API nodes to distribute complex logic loads, or database nodes to handle concurrent read and write operations. On enterprise plans, Xano enables horizontal database scaling with read replicas and regional distribution by maintaining high availability and low-latency performance during traffic spikes.
Backendless also provides what it calls an “infinitely scalable” backend. It gives you the option to move from cloud hosting to self-managed environments via Backendless Pro or Managed Backendless, which can be deployed on the infrastructure of your choice. While this approach provides more control over the backend, scaling may require manual configuration and infrastructure management.
So, which one should you use?
If you're building a small-to-medium app and want to focus on product features without handling scaling up front, Backendless offers a viable starting point. But if you're building a high-concurrency, API-intensive, or enterprise-grade app, and need infrastructure that scales programmatically with workload demand, Xano is the more reliable and future-ready solution.
Community size and support
With Xano, users get access to an official community hub that includes active forums, product updates, and release notes. The forum is fairly active, with around 4,900 registered members and thousands of posts across various categories. Users typically receive prompt answers from staff and experienced users.
Backendless also provides an official support forum. While the exact number of members isn’t publicly shown, the forum is well-populated and actively maintained. In the past 30 days alone, it saw approximately 217 new posts and about 87 active users.
Both Xano and Backendless have official Slack channels, accessible via invite-only links. However, Xano’s Slack channel appears to be much more active compared to Backendless’s. Some users have reported issues with expired invite links for Backendless.
Both Xano and Backendless maintain official YouTube channels filled with tutorial videos and webinars. Xano’s channel has about 7.6K subscribers and approximately 449 videos as of 2025. Backendless’s official channel is similarly robust, with around 4.8K subscribers and over 400 videos.
On Twitter, Xano has a significantly larger following and more buzz than Backendless. The official Xano account has about 9.5K followers and is very active. In contrast, Backendless’s Twitter (@Backendless) is more modest, with around 1.5K followers.
On LinkedIn, Xano’s company page has around 8,500 followers, while Backendless’s presence is much smaller, with only about 830–840 followers.
Overall, it's clear that if you choose Xano, the level of community support you'll receive is likely to be much higher compared to Backendless.
Learning curve
Xano has a steeper initial learning curve, especially if you’re unfamiliar with API logic or data modeling. But it also gives you far more flexibility, performance control, and scalability down the line.
Backendless is often easier to get started with, especially for non-technical users. Its Codeless builder and visual tools make it beginner-friendly, allowing users to create APIs and logic with minimal setup. You can drag and drop your way to a working app without touching code.
If your project is simple and speed is your priority, Backendless might feel easier at first. But if you're building for long-term growth, Xano’s learning curve pays off with deeper backend capabilities.
Pricing transparency and costs at scale
Xano offers four well-defined plans: Free, Launch, Scale, and Enterprise.
- The Free plan is ideal for testing the platform.
- Launch is designed for early-stage production apps.
- Scale plans offer dedicated infrastructure and advanced features such as background tasks and Redis.
- Enterprise includes custom SLAs, flexible hosting, and 24/7 monitoring.
All plans are transparent, upgradeable instantly, and come with clearly documented limits and capabilities.
Backendless offers three options: Backendless Cloud, Backendless Pro, and Managed Backendless.
- Cloud is the entry point, with a free plan and the option to pay for more resources as your app grows.
- Pro is a self-hosted edition that you can install on your own infrastructure, giving you full control over deployment.
- Managed Backendless builds on Pro by adding 24/7 expert monitoring and DevOps support.
At scale, Xano keeps pricing predictable with clear plan tiers and no surprise charges. Resource limits, features, and infrastructure options are easy to understand. Backendless offers more hosting flexibility, but costs can be harder to estimate since they depend on how your server is set up and managed.
Why Xano wins for serious app projects
Xano offers more advanced API tools that make it easier to build complex applications without backend boilerplate. You can handle custom logic, automate workflows, and manage scalable data flows using features like database triggers, background tasks, and Docker-based infrastructure. It’s a strong fit for production use, especially when flexibility and control are important. Apart from that, Xano has the following benefits.
- Built for long-term scaling: With dedicated infrastructure options, horizontal scaling, and high concurrency support, Xano is reliable for apps that need to grow steadily without replatforming or hitting technical ceilings. Whether you’re starting small or already operating at scale, the backend can keep up.
- Fast, consistent product development: Updates arrive frequently, documentation stays current, and the support team is quick to respond. This makes it easier to keep up with changes without having to wait or build workarounds.
- Large and active community: Xano benefits from a bigger and more engaged user base. That means faster support, more tutorials to learn from, and better third-party tools to extend what Xano can do. Whether you’re debugging an issue or looking to integrate with platforms like Bubble or FlutterFlow, the ecosystem helps you move faster.
- Clear, predictable pricing: Plan limits and features are well-defined, and upgrading doesn’t introduce unexpected costs. As your app grows, you can plan around pricing with confidence.
Conclusion
If you're building an app you plan to scale, the backend you choose matters. You need a platform that’s evolving quickly, solving real developer problems, and giving you the control to build without hitting limits. That’s where Xano stands out.
For serious projects, Xano is the more complete solution. It offers stronger infrastructure, better long-term flexibility, and a faster path to production, all backed by a growing community and steady product improvements.
Need help getting started? Book a call with us. We specialize in building secure, scalable backends with Xano and can help you avoid costly mistakes from day one.
FAQs
1. Can I integrate Xano with Bubble or other no-code frontends?
Yes, Xano supports seamless integration with tools like Bubble, FlutterFlow, and Draftbit through its robust API services. This makes it easy to connect your backend logic to any visual frontend.
2. What’s the main difference between Backendless and Xano when it comes to scaling?
While both platforms support growth, Xano offers more control over performance through features like dedicated API nodes and Docker-based deployments. It’s better suited for enhancing efficiency in apps expecting high traffic.
3. Does Xano support features like push notifications or file storage?
Xano supports file storage out of the box and can integrate with third-party services for push notifications using APIs. You have the flexibility to connect the tools you need as your app evolves.
4. What are some key features Xano offers that Backendless doesn’t?
Xano includes advanced options like horizontal scaling, built-in debugging tools, and background tasks. These key features make it more reliable for complex, API-intensive apps.
5. Is it hard to switch from Backendless to Xano?
Migration is possible but may require updating how you structure data and workflows. With seamless integration and strong API services, Xano makes the transition manageable for most users.
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