Backend as a Service (BaaS)

April 2, 2023 • 12 minutes read

Backend as a Service (BaaS) is a cloud computing service model that provides developers with a complete backend solution for their mobile or web applications. It allows frontend developers to focus on building the frontend part of their application while the BaaS provider takes care of the backend infrastructure

BaaS providers typically offer a range of backend services, including data storage, user management, push notifications, social media integration, and more. These services are accessible through a set of APIs, which developers can integrate into their applications

Examples of BaaS

• Firebase is a BaaS platform provided by Google that offers a range of backend services, including database, push notification messages, analytics, cloud storage, authentication, etc.

• AWS Amplify is a BaaS platform provided by Amazon Web Services that offers features such as data storage, user authentication and management, GraphQL/REST API management, CI/CD, analytics, PubSub, etc. Amplify is very similar to Firebase but more complex and flexible than Firebase

• Backendless is a BaaS platform that offers features like database, user management, Pub/Sub Messaging, geolocation, etc.. Also it has Marketplace which may help extend a functionality of your app with a ready to use additional features

• Parse Platform is an open source BaaS platform that offers features like data storage, push notifications, social media integration, user management, etc.

• Auth0 is a cloud-based platform which helps in user management including authentication and authorization, multi-factor authentication, social login (e.g. Facebook, Google, LinkedIn)

Advantages

Fast Development Time

One of the key benefits of BaaS is that it can significantly reduce the time and resources required to develop a backend for an application. With BaaS, developers can avoid the need to build and maintain their own backend infrastructure, and instead, use pre-built services that are optimized for scalability and reliability

Simple Extension with a new Backend features

Another advantage of BaaS is that it allows developers to easily add new features and functionality to their applications without having to modify the backend code. This can speed up the development process and enable developers to quickly respond to changing market demands

Scalability

BaaS providers offer scalable infrastructure that can grow with your application. This means that as your user base grows, your backend can scale to meet the demand

Security

BaaS providers typically offer robust security features, such as encryption, authentication, and access control. This ensures that your application is secure and compliant with industry regulations

Reduced Costs

BaaS providers offer a pay-as-you-go pricing model, which means that you only pay for the services you use. This eliminates the need for upfront investment in server infrastructure and reduces ongoing maintenance costs

Disadvantages

Cost

While BaaS can be cost-effective for smaller applications or startups, the costs can increase as your user base grows. In some cases, it may be more cost-effective to build and manage your own backend infrastructure

Limited Customization

BaaS providers offer pre-built backend infrastructure, which may not always meet the unique requirements of your application. This can limit your ability to customize the backend

Limited Control

BaaS providers handle many aspects of the backend, such as server management and security, which means that you have limited control over these areas. This can be a concern for applications that require strict compliance or regulatory requirements

Integration Challenges

While BaaS providers offer pre-built integrations with third-party services, integrating with other custom-built or legacy systems can be challenging. This can result in additional development effort and time

Dependency on Provider

BaaS providers are responsible for managing the backend infrastructure, which means that you are dependent on them for support and maintenance. This could lead to issues with vendor lock-in or service disruptions if the provider experiences technical problems

Story of the Parse.com

Parse.com was launched in 2011 as a BaaS platform for mobile developers. It became very popular in a short period of time. It has been used by hundreds of thousands of mobile developers

Later, in 2013, Parse was acquired by Facebook. Company announced that they would discontinue parse.com in January 2016. The reason behind this decision was that Facebook wanted to focus more on its core products and services. As a result, parse.com was shut down on January 28, 2017

Facebook open-sourced Parse Platform in 2016 as a completely different solution which was not compatible with the previous version of the Parse

During the discontinue period of parse.com a lot of products faced problems with migration to other backend alternatives. That was a difficult and time consuming process for many developers and product owners

That’s a good example of vendor lock-in and explanation of what happens when your vendor provider discontinues its service. You can’t easily migrate to another service without major changes in your app. That’s mean feature freeze for your app and unexpected expenses for development

Conclusions

BaaS is a valuable tool for mobile and web developers who are looking to build and deploy applications quickly and cost-effectively, without caring on scalability and backend infrastructure

It's important to carefully evaluate the pros and cons of BaaS for your application. Think about easy to start with and customization in a feature, control, cost, etc. Be careful by selecting the right vendor. Always remember that this is vendor lock-in. Don’t you want to be in a situation like with the parse.com?