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Best Backend-as-a-service platforms for startups

10 software tools ranked, each with a short verdict.

VERIFIEDLISTER SCORE · UPDATED REGULARLY

Best Backend-as-a-service platforms for startups: Top 10 Ranked. Clever Cloud ranks first, with a Lister Score of 94.0.

Clever Cloud takes the top spot on this list for Developers, and enables full deployment via a simple git push without manual configuration. Opalstack includes free SSL, email and DNS hosting. Hostman allows seamless migration between servers, Kubernetes, and bare metal without rewriting infrastructure.
RANKENTRYSCORETRENDFROM
1Clever CloudClever Cloud is a European Platform as a Service provider94.0NEW–
2OpalstackBuilt for Developers managing custom business applications92.0NEW–
3HostmanBuilt for Developers seeking European infrastructure with direct engineer support90.0NEW–
4PieHostEnables automatic scaling and instant deployment via git push90.0NEW–
5ModalProvides instant access to GPU capacity without reservations88.0NEWFree tier
6NHostOffers an enterprise-grade SQL database ready in one minute88.0NEW–
7ScalingoEnables Git-based deploys with automatic handling88.0NEW–
8AptibleEnforces security and compliance by default84.0NEW–
9RailwayProvides instant private networking and SSL upon deployment84.0NEW–
10Zerops PlatformZerops Platform is a developer-first cloud infrastructure designed to support the entire application lifecycle82.0NEW–
CURATED · UPDATED REGULARLYHOW WE RANK →

The ranking, in detail

01

Clever Cloud

Sovereign cloud, managed hosting, and full automation for developers.

Clever Cloud is a European Platform as a Service provider. It helps development teams deploy applications on reliable infrastructure with automatic scalability.

Best for: Developers
94.0
02

Opalstack

Build the systems that make your business yours

Opalstack provides managed Linux hosting for business infrastructure. It allows users to control their own systems and data.

Best for: Developers managing custom business applications
92.0
03

Hostman

European Cloud Powered by Humans

Hostman is a European cloud provider powered by human support. It offers compute, storage, and orchestration services for developers.

Best for: Developers seeking European infrastructure with direct engineer support
90.0
04

PieHost

Operating system for software companies combining cloud and talent

PieHost provides scalable realtime infrastructure, deployment tools and managed databases.

Best for: software teams building real-time applications
90.0
05

Modal

Fast serverless cloud for Python and GPUs

Modal is cloud infrastructure engineered specifically for AI workloads. It enables teams to build, train, and serve applications at scale with a serverless approach.

Best for: Serverless Python functions and GPU workloads
88.0
06

NHost

Postgres backend to build, deploy & scale without servers

Nhost is a fully managed backend platform designed for speed and scale. It provides a complete stack including Postgres, GraphQL, and authentication.

Best for: developers building scalable applications
88.0
07

Scalingo

Apps live, data safe, ops handled on sovereign cloud

Scalingo is a European PaaS and DBaaS platform for secure cloud hosting. It covers the full production lifecycle from deployment to monitoring.

Best for: compliance-focused teams requiring European data residency
88.0
08

Aptible

Secure cloud infrastructure for digital health teams

Aptible provides secure cloud infrastructure for digital health teams. It enables safe deployment of apps and AI systems.

Best for: digital health engineering teams
84.0
09

Railway

The peaceful way to ship software

Railway is an all-in-one intelligent cloud provider designed for product developers. It enables teams to deploy software peacefully by handling infrastructure complexity.

Best for: Product developers and engineering teams
84.0
10

Zerops Platform

A production cloud for developers and their coding agents

Zerops Platform is a developer-first cloud infrastructure designed to support the entire application lifecycle. It provides consistent environments from remote development through to highly available production using a single underlying engine.

82.0
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Frequently asked questions

What are the best Backend-as-a-service platforms for startups?

Clever Cloud ranks first on Lister. Clever Cloud is a European Platform as a Service provider. It helps development teams deploy applications on reliable infrastructure with automatic scalability.

What are the top 10 Backend-as-a-service platforms for startups?

1. Clever Cloud; 2. Opalstack; 3. Hostman; 4. PieHost; 5. Modal; 6. NHost; 7. Scalingo; 8. Aptible; 9. Railway; 10. Zerops Platform.

Are there free options for Backend-as-a-service platforms for startups?

Modal lists a free option in the recorded pricing. Check the provider's current terms and limits.

What do the top four say they are built for?

Clever Cloud says it is built for Developers, and Opalstack for Developers managing custom business applications. Hostman says it is built for Developers seeking European infrastructure with direct engineer support, and PieHost for software teams building real-time applications.

What should a buyer check before signing up?

NHost states that the free tier limits users to one project which pauses after a week of inactivity. Those are the limits each product publishes itself, not a full account of any plan.

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