Backendless
Backend-as-a-Service with database, realtime, auth, files, and cloud code
Appwrite
End-to-end backend platform for web, mobile, and native apps
Appwrite delivers authentication, databases, storage, functions, messaging, and hosting as Docker microservices. Build secure full-stack applications faster with built-in backend infrastructure optimized for developer experience.
Overview
What is Appwrite?
Appwrite is an end-to-end development platform packaged as Docker microservices, designed for web, mobile, native, and backend applications. It abstracts the complexity of building modern apps from scratch by providing a unified backend server and integrated hosting solution for both static and server-side rendered frontends.
Core Capabilities
Developers gain immediate access to user authentication with multiple sign-in methods, databases for storing and querying user and team data, file storage with image manipulation, Cloud Functions for custom logic, messaging via push notifications, email, and SMS, plus spatial database columns for location-based features. All services are secured, encrypted, and designed to work together seamlessly.
Deployment Options
Appwrite runs in containerized environments using Docker Compose, Kubernetes, Docker Swarm, or Rancher. Teams can self-host on localhost or production infrastructure, or use Appwrite Cloud for managed hosting. One-click deployments are available through DigitalOcean, Gitpod, Akamai Compute, and AWS Marketplace. The platform supports 20+ SDKs across client, server, and mobile frameworks including React, Next.js, Flutter, React Native, Node.js, Python, and more.
Highlights
Complete backend services: authentication, databases, storage, functions, and messaging in one platform
Docker microservices architecture with self-hosting or managed cloud deployment options
20+ SDKs for web, mobile, and server frameworks with unified API design
Built-in security: encrypted storage, ClamAV file scanning, and session management
Pros
- Comprehensive feature set eliminates need for multiple backend services
- Self-hosting option provides full control over data and infrastructure
- Extensive SDK support across popular languages and frameworks
- Active open-source community and regular feature updates
Considerations
- Docker dependency may add complexity for teams unfamiliar with containerization
- Self-hosted deployments require infrastructure management and maintenance
- Learning curve when integrating multiple services for the first time
- Migration from older versions requires dedicated tooling and planning
Managed products teams compare with
When teams consider Appwrite, these hosted platforms usually appear on the same shortlist.
Looking for a hosted option? These are the services engineering teams benchmark against before choosing open source.
Fit guide
Great for
- Teams building full-stack applications needing integrated backend infrastructure
- Projects requiring self-hosted backend solutions with data sovereignty
- Developers seeking unified authentication, database, and storage APIs
- Startups and agencies building multiple client applications with consistent backend patterns
Not ideal when
- Projects requiring serverless-only architecture without containerization
- Teams without Docker or container orchestration experience seeking simplest setup
- Applications needing highly specialized database features beyond document storage
- Organizations unable to manage self-hosted infrastructure or adopt cloud services
How teams use it
Multi-platform mobile and web application
Single backend powering iOS, Android, and web clients with unified authentication, real-time databases, and file storage across all platforms
SaaS product with team collaboration
User management, team memberships, role-based access control, and secure document storage managed through built-in Teams and Databases services
Location-based service application
Spatial database columns enable efficient querying of geographic data for mapping, delivery, or proximity-based features
Agency client project deployment
Rapid full-stack development using pre-built authentication, storage, and messaging reduces time-to-market for client applications
Tech snapshot
TypeScript74%
PHP25%
Dockerfile1%
Shell1%
Frequently asked questions
Can I self-host Appwrite or must I use Appwrite Cloud?
Both options are available. Self-host using Docker on your infrastructure with Kubernetes, Docker Swarm, or Rancher, or use managed Appwrite Cloud. One-click deployments are also available via DigitalOcean, AWS Marketplace, Akamai Compute, and Gitpod.
What programming languages and frameworks does Appwrite support?
Appwrite provides 20+ SDKs including client SDKs for React, Next.js, Vue.js, Angular, Flutter, React Native, iOS, and Android, plus server SDKs for Node.js, Python, .NET, PHP, Ruby, Dart, Deno, Kotlin, and Swift.
How does Appwrite handle file security?
All uploaded files are scanned by ClamAV antivirus and stored in a secure, encrypted environment. Storage includes built-in image manipulation and preview generation with access control managed through the platform.
What backend services are included in Appwrite?
Appwrite includes authentication and account management, user and team management, databases with advanced filtering, file storage with image manipulation, Cloud Functions, messaging (push, email, SMS), and integrated web hosting.
How do I upgrade from an older version of Appwrite?
Use the official Appwrite migration tool after completing your setup. Consult the Installation Docs for version-specific migration guidance and best practices to ensure data integrity during upgrades.
Project at a glance
Active- Stars
- 54,486
- Watchers
- 54,486
- Forks
- 4,955
LicenseBSD-3-Clause
Repo age6 years old
Last commit3 hours ago
Self-hostingSupported
Primary languageTypeScript
Last synced 2 hours ago