Alternatives to AWS Amplify
AWS-native full-stack toolkit combining Cognito auth, AppSync APIs, DynamoDB, S3 storage,
AWS Amplify ranks #3 of 10 in Backend-as-a-service, with an Alt Score of 93. It is licensed under Apache-2.0 and available on Web, iOS and Android. 12 of 12 checklist rows are verified against a public source.
AWS Amplify is Amazon's backend-as-a-service toolkit for web and mobile apps, providing managed authentication (Cognito), auto-generated GraphQL/REST APIs (AppSync), a database (DynamoDB), file storage (S3), serverless functions (Lambda), and realtime GraphQL subscriptions. It's used heavily by teams already standardized on AWS who want a Firebase-like developer experience without leaving AWS infrastructure. It stands out for enterprise-grade scaling and deep integration with the rest of AWS.
AWS Amplify is for developers building web, iOS, Android, or React Native apps who want a managed backend (auth, data, storage, functions) without directly wiring together individual AWS services.
Amplify provisions and connects Amazon Cognito for authentication, a real-time GraphQL API on AWS AppSync backed by DynamoDB for data, Amazon S3 for file storage, and AWS Lambda for custom backend logic, plus client libraries for React, Next.js, Angular, Vue, JavaScript, React Native, Flutter, Android, and Swift. An AI kit adds conversation and generation routes that can call Amazon Bedrock and use a vector database (Postgres pg_vector or OpenSearch) for knowledge bases.
Backend resources are defined in TypeScript files (amplify/auth/resource.ts, amplify/data/resource.ts, etc.), which Amplify deploys as real AWS resources in the developer's own AWS account; the framework and CLI are open source (Apache-2.0), while the underlying AWS services and the Hosting/build service are billed and run by AWS.
Why people leave AWS Amplify
Dashed reasons are sourced facts; the rest are opinions. Vendors can dispute.
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Ranked alternatives
Ordered by Alt Score. Click any score to see the breakdown.
Supabase is an open-source backend-as-a-service built on PostgreSQL, providing a managed database, authentication, file storage, realtime subscriptions, edge functions, auto-generated APIs, and vector.
Appwrite is an open-source backend-as-a-service that bundles a database, authentication, file storage, realtime, serverless functions, and messaging behind REST/GraphQL APIs and client SDKs, available.
Convex is a reactive backend-as-a-service where the database, server functions, and realtime subscriptions are written in TypeScript, giving apps live-updating queries, transactional writes, file stor.
InstantDB is an open-source backend-as-a-service focused on realtime, relational client-side queries: every query is multiplayer by default, with built-in authentication (magic codes, OAuth, guest aut.
Back4app is a backend-as-a-service platform built on top of the open-source Parse Server framework, offering a managed MongoDB (and NoSQL) database, auto-generated REST/GraphQL APIs, built-in authenti.
Firebase is Google's app-development platform offering a backend-as-a-service: the Firestore and Realtime Database, Authentication, Cloud Storage, Cloud Functions, hosting, and client SDKs for web, iO.
Parse Platform (Parse Server) is a fully open-source Node.js backend-as-a-service framework, originally built by Parse Inc.
Xano is a no-code/visual backend-as-a-service platform that gives teams a managed Postgres database, auto-generated and customizable REST/Swagger APIs, built-in authentication, file storage, and a vis.
PocketBase is an open-source backend-as-a-service packaged as a single Go executable, bundling an embedded SQLite database, authentication, file storage, realtime subscriptions, and an admin dashboard.
Feature comparison
Rows come from the Backend-as-a-service checklist (16 rows). Human-verified cells only. ? means the value has not been verified.
| Backend-as-a-service checklist | AWS Amplify | Supabase | Appwrite | Convex | InstantDB | Back4app |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | ||||||
| Starts at | ||||||
| License | ||||||
| Platforms | ||||||
| Managed database | ||||||
| Auth built in | ||||||
| File / object storage | ||||||
| Realtime subscriptions | ||||||
| Serverless / edge functions | ||||||
| Auto-generated APIs | ||||||
| Self-hostable | ||||||
| Open source | ||||||
| Client SDKs | ||||||
| Row-level security | ||||||
| Vector / AI support | ||||||
| Free tier |
Every fact and feature listed for AWS Amplify is verified against its own pages. Each alternative is sourced on its own page.
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License Apache-2.0 verified 2026-07-30
Applies to the open-source client libraries/CLI (amplify-js, amplify-backend repos). The Hosting service and console are AWS-managed, not separately licensed OSS.
Apache License Version 2.0, January 2004
https://raw.githubusercontent.com/aws-amplify/amplify-js/main/LICENSE -
Platforms Web, iOS, Android verified 2026-07-30
React Native and Flutter SDKs target the same iOS/Android/Web surface.
an opinionated set of libraries, UI components, and a command line interface (CLI) to build an app backend and integrate it with your iOS, Android, Web, and React Native apps
https://aws.amazon.com/amplify/faqs/ -
Pricing model Usage-based verified 2026-07-30
Amplify itself has no license fee; you pay standard usage-based pricing for each underlying AWS service (Cognito, AppSync, DynamoDB, Lambda, S3, Hosting build/serve minutes).
Only pay for what you use.
https://aws.amazon.com/amplify/pricing/ -
Starts at Free verified 2026-07-30
No fixed paid tier; free tier covers hosting (12 months) and each backend AWS service, then pay-as-you-go.
No monthly minimums - simply pay for what you use.
https://aws.amazon.com/amplify/pricing/ -
Status active verified 2026-07-30
Docs actively updated; Gen 2 and new 'AWS Blocks' feature are current AWS Amplify releases.
Page updated Mar 25, 2026
https://docs.amplify.aws/react/build-a-backend/data/set-up-data/ -
Managed database Yes verified 2026-07-30
This API is powered by AWS AppSync and connected to an Amazon DynamoDB database.
https://docs.amplify.aws/react/build-a-backend/data/set-up-data/ -
Auth built in Yes verified 2026-07-30
Amplify Auth is powered by Amazon Cognito. Cognito is a robust user directory service that handles user registration, authentication, account recovery, and other operations.
https://docs.amplify.aws/react/build-a-backend/auth/set-up-auth/ -
File / object storage Yes verified 2026-07-30
Amplify Storage seamlessly integrates file storage and management capabilities into frontend web and mobile apps, built on top of Amazon Simple Storage Service (Amazon S3).
https://docs.amplify.aws/react/build-a-backend/storage/set-up-storage/ -
Realtime subscriptions Yes verified 2026-07-30
Every data model also auto-generates real-time subscribe APIs for create/update/delete events (see data/set-up-data page).
we will outline the benefits of enabling real-time data integrations and how to set up and filter these subscriptions
https://docs.amplify.aws/react/frontend/data/subscribe-data/ -
Serverless / edge functions Yes verified 2026-07-30
Functions run on AWS Lambda (serverless), not documented as edge/CDN functions.
this function needs to be added to your backend
https://docs.amplify.aws/react/build-a-backend/functions/set-up-function/ -
Auto-generated APIs Yes verified 2026-07-30
Every a.model() automatically creates the following resources in the cloud: a DynamoDB database table to store records query and mutation APIs to create, read (list/get), update, and delete records
https://docs.amplify.aws/react/build-a-backend/data/set-up-data/ -
Self-hostable No verified 2026-07-30
Local dev needs no AWS account, but the only documented deploy target is AWS itself; there is no documented path to run the Amplify backend on non-AWS or on-prem infrastructure.
Run your whole app locally with no AWS account, then deploy the same code to AWS with the AWS CDK.
https://docs.amplify.aws/react/build-a-backend/aws-blocks/how-it-works/ -
Open source Yes verified 2026-07-30
The client framework/libraries/CLI are open source (Apache-2.0, aws-amplify GitHub org); the managed Hosting service/console backend are not.
AWS Amplify consists of a set of tools (open source framework, visual development environment, console) and services (web app and static website hosting)
https://aws.amazon.com/amplify/faqs/ -
Client SDKs Yes verified 2026-07-30
Choose your framework/language React React Next.js Angular Vue JavaScript React Native Flutter Android Swift
https://docs.amplify.aws/react/build-a-backend/functions/set-up-function/ -
Row-level security Yes verified 2026-07-30
owner" of a record."
Per user data access. Access is restricted to the
https://docs.amplify.aws/react/build-a-backend/data/customize-authz/ -
Vector / AI support Yes verified 2026-07-30
storing a lot of content, like documentation, in a vector database like Postgres with pg_vector or OpenSearch
https://docs.amplify.aws/react/frontend/ai/conversation/knowledge-base/ -
Free tier Yes verified 2026-07-30
Every underlying service (Cognito, AppSync, DynamoDB, Lambda, S3) also has its own AWS Free Tier.
Deploy an app with AWS Free Tier without AWS Free Tier Free for 12 months. Pay for what you use.
https://aws.amazon.com/amplify/pricing/
FAQ
Yes. Convex, InstantDB and Back4app have a free tier or are fully free. Free-tier limits in the comparison table are verified and dated.
Supabase, Appwrite and Convex — every license claim links its source.