Backendless
Backend-as-a-Service with database, realtime, auth, files, and cloud code
Laf
Open-source cloud development platform with serverless functions and storage
Cloud development platform delivering serverless functions, MongoDB databases, and object storage with an integrated WebIDE. Write and deploy backend code as easily as writing a blog post.
Overview
What is Laf?
Laf is an open-source cloud development platform that provides out-of-the-box application resources including serverless functions, cloud databases, and object storage. Developers can focus entirely on business logic without managing servers, enabling rapid prototyping and deployment.
Core Capabilities
The platform features a browser-based WebIDE for writing and deploying TypeScript/JavaScript cloud functions instantly. It includes MongoDB database integration, S3-compatible object storage, static website hosting, and WebSocket support. The laf-client-sdk works across any JavaScript runtime, making it particularly powerful for frontend developers seeking full-stack capabilities.
Who Should Use Laf?
Frontend developers gain immediate backend capabilities without context-switching languages. Backend engineers escape infrastructure toil—no more nginx configuration, manual database provisioning, or SSH-ing into servers to read logs. Independent developers and startups accelerate MVP delivery and iteration cycles. Teams using proprietary cloud platforms can migrate to Laf for source code ownership and private deployment options, avoiding vendor lock-in while maintaining rapid development workflows.
Highlights
Browser-based WebIDE for instant function deployment with TypeScript/JavaScript
Integrated MongoDB database and S3-compatible object storage
Static website hosting with built-in domain and SSL management on Sealos
Self-hostable on Kubernetes with Apache-2.0 license for full control
Pros
- Eliminates server management and nginx configuration overhead
- Unified JavaScript/TypeScript stack across frontend and backend
- One-click deployment on Sealos with preconfigured infrastructure
- Open-source architecture prevents vendor lock-in and enables private deployment
Considerations
- Kubernetes knowledge required for self-hosted deployments outside Sealos
- Limited to JavaScript/TypeScript runtime for cloud functions
- Smaller ecosystem and community compared to established BaaS providers
- Documentation and community resources primarily in Chinese
Managed products teams compare with
When teams consider Laf, 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
- Frontend developers building full-stack applications without learning new languages
- Startups and solo developers needing rapid MVP development and iteration
- Teams requiring source code delivery and private deployment for clients
- Projects seeking open-source alternatives to Firebase or Supabase with self-hosting
Not ideal when
- Applications requiring polyglot backend services beyond JavaScript/TypeScript
- Teams without Kubernetes expertise attempting complex self-hosted configurations
- Projects needing extensive third-party integrations and marketplace extensions
- Organizations requiring enterprise support contracts and SLAs
How teams use it
Frontend-to-Full-Stack Transformation
React developers deploy authenticated APIs and database operations without backend team dependencies, shipping features end-to-end in hours instead of days.
Rapid ChatGPT Integration
Build and deploy a custom ChatGPT interface in three minutes using cloud functions to proxy OpenAI API calls with custom business logic and rate limiting.
Client Source Code Delivery
Agencies deliver fully functional applications with private Laf instances to clients, providing complete ownership and eliminating ongoing platform fees.
Serverless Todo Application
Deploy a complete CRUD application with database persistence and static frontend hosting in minutes, demonstrating concept viability before infrastructure investment.
Tech snapshot
TypeScript90%
JavaScript5%
Smarty2%
Mustache1%
Shell1%
SCSS1%
Frequently asked questions
What programming languages does Laf support for cloud functions?
Laf cloud functions are written in JavaScript or TypeScript, providing a unified language stack for frontend and backend development.
Can I self-host Laf on my own infrastructure?
Yes, Laf can be deployed on Kubernetes clusters. Sealos offers one-click deployment with preconfigured infrastructure, while manual deployment requires Kubernetes expertise and configuration of domains, certificates, and gateways.
What database does Laf use?
Laf integrates MongoDB as its cloud database solution, accessible directly from cloud functions and client SDKs.
How does Laf compare to Firebase or Supabase?
Laf is open-source and self-hostable under Apache-2.0, preventing vendor lock-in. It focuses on JavaScript/TypeScript workflows with integrated WebIDE for instant deployment, while Firebase and Supabase offer broader language support and larger ecosystems.
Is there a hosted version of Laf I can use immediately?
Yes, you can access a hosted instance at sealos.run to start developing immediately without any infrastructure setup.
Project at a glance
Active- Stars
- 7,619
- Watchers
- 7,619
- Forks
- 689
LicenseApache-2.0
Repo age4 years old
Last commit2 months ago
Self-hostingSupported
Primary languageTypeScript
Last synced yesterday