backend options for a solo product that needs real auth

ranked by how much backend you want to own. includes visual, managed, and self-hosted paths; the notes call out where 'no-code' quietly ends

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most visual option here for APIs, data, auth, and business logic

Postgres underneath; learn row-level security before inviting users

strong mobile path, but model query patterns before choosing Firestore

Appwrite

Backendless

visual workflows go far; test the escape hatch for custom server logic

Bubble backend workflows

Directus

excellent when the database also needs a usable admin and content layer

Hasura

PocketBase

tiny single-binary setup; confirm its pre-1.0 tradeoffs fit the risk

Convex

NocoDB

better as a collaborative data interface than a full Firebase replacement

Baserow

Airtable

fine for validation and ops; rate limits and data shape become the ceiling

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