Appwrite
Open-source backend platform for web and mobile apps
Overview
Appwrite packages the common backend services every application needs - authentication, database, file storage, serverless functions, and real-time messaging - into a single self-hostable platform. For teams that want Firebase-like convenience with the freedom to self-host, Appwrite is the leading open-source option.
The Docker-based deployment makes self-hosting practical for small teams. A single docker-compose command gets you a complete backend running on any server. This is a significant advantage for applications with data residency requirements or teams that want complete infrastructure control.
Appwrite Cloud provides the same platform as a managed service for teams that do not want to handle infrastructure. The feature set is identical, letting you develop locally with self-hosted Appwrite and deploy to the cloud for production.
Key Features
Authentication
Email, OAuth, phone, and anonymous auth with session management
Databases
Document-based database with real-time subscriptions
Storage
File upload, transformation, and CDN delivery
Functions
Serverless functions in 13+ languages
Messaging
Push notifications, email, and SMS delivery
Self-Hostable
Deploy anywhere with Docker
Why We Recommend Appwrite
Appwrite gives teams Firebase-like productivity with the option to self-host. For projects with data sovereignty requirements, this combination of convenience and control is hard to find elsewhere.