Assembly Line

Para

Multitenant backend server for building web and mobile apps rapidly. The backend for busy developers. (self-hosted or hosted)

Para is an open-source backend as a service project on GitHub under the Apache-2.0 license (permissive), with 574 stars. It is built with JDK. Its last push was 5 days ago.

Stars
574
License
Apache-2.0
Activity
Active
Latest release
1.57.0

Code on GitHub Website

Judgement

What it is
Framework or platform
What it does
A multitenant Java backend server for storing and searching objects through a REST API, with auth and search built in, used either embedded or as a standalone server.
Adopt it when
You work on the JVM and want a simple, generic object API backend for several apps.
Watch out
Essentially a single-company project with a small user base.
Ready for
Usable
Runs as
Self-hosted server, library and cloud service
Built with
Java, Lucene and Elasticsearch
How established
Established: started 12 years ago, latest release 1.57.0.
What the license allows
You can build it into a product you sell, as long as you keep its copyright notice.

Judged on 2026-11-03 from the project's README and GitHub data. The license and age lines are worked out directly.

Built from

Follow it down: Para → JDK → LLVM project → runs on a microchip

How compilers were built, back to punched paper tape

Open-source alternatives to Para

  1. 1
    Supabase supabase

    The Postgres development platform. Supabase gives you a dedicated Postgres database to build your web, mobile, and AI applications.

    Framework or platform Production-ready You want Firebase-style speed of building but on standard Postgres, hosted or self-hosted.

    ★ 114k Apache-2.0 TypeScript Active, pushed today
  2. 2
    Appwrite appwrite

    The open-source cloud for agents & devs. Including Auth, Databases, Storage, Functions, Messaging, Hosting, Realtime, WAF and more

    Framework or platform Production-ready You are building web or mobile apps and want a Firebase-style backend you can self-host.

    ★ 58k BSD-3-Clause TypeScript Active, pushed today
  3. 3
    Parse Server parse-community

    Parse Server for Node.js / Express

    Framework or platform Production-ready You want a mature, self-hosted app backend with SDKs for many platforms, or you are migrating an old Parse app.

    ★ 21k Apache-2.0 JavaScript Active, pushed today
  4. 4
    Nhost nhost

    The Open Source Firebase Alternative with GraphQL.

    Framework or platform Production-ready You want a Postgres-backed app backend with an auto-generated GraphQL API.

    ★ 9.4k MIT Go Active, pushed today
  5. 5
    pREST prest

    Instant REST and MCP APIs for PostgreSQL and MySQL, on existing or new databases. CRUD, custom SQL routes, auth and ACL without writing a backend. Low-code, ⚡ realtime, high-performance. Native MySQL support since v2.5

    Building block Usable You want an instant API over a database you already have without writing a backend, and Go-based single binary deployment suits you.

    ★ 4.6k MIT Go Active, pushed 3 days ago
  6. 6
    Butterbase butterbase-ai

    Open-source backend-as-a-service. Postgres, auth, storage, functions, AI gateway, MCP.

    Framework or platform Experimental You want a Supabase-like backend designed to be driven by AI coding agents and are fine with a new project.

    ★ 3k Apache-2.0 TypeScript Active, pushed today
  7. 7
    Laf labring

    Laf is a vibrant cloud development platform that provides essential tools like cloud functions, databases, and storage solutions. It enables developers to quickly unleash their creativity and bring innovative ideas to life with ease.

    Framework or platform Experimental You want a self-hosted serverless back end and are comfortable with Chinese-language documentation and community.

    ★ 7.5k Apache-2.0 TypeScript Slowing, pushed 3 months ago
  8. 8
    Daptin daptin

    Self-hosted application server for schema-driven APIs, identity, files, automation, integrations, realtime, metering, and protocols.

    Framework or platform Usable You want a self-hosted backend-as-a-service in one binary and prefer config over writing CRUD code.

    ★ 1.9k LGPL-3.0 Go Active, pushed today

Commercial backend-as-a-service platforms

  1. 1
    Firebase Google

    Discover Firebase, Google’s mobile and web app development platform that helps developers build apps and games that users will love.

    Framework or platform Production-ready You build a mobile or web app and want auth, data and push notifications without running a server.

    1.2k readers a month Since 2010 Commercial
  2. 2
    AWS Amplify Amazon Web Services

    Accelerate your full-stack web and mobile app development with AWS Amplify. Easy to start, easy to scale. No cloud expertise needed.

    Framework or platform Production-ready Your team is committed to AWS and wants a faster way to wire up app backends there.

    Commercial
  3. 3
    Convex Convex

    All gas, no breakages. Convex is the reactive backend platform that keeps up with you and your agents.

    Framework or platform Usable You build a realtime TypeScript app and want database, server functions and live sync in one place.

    Commercial

Stars, license and activity come from GitHub and refresh on a rolling hourly schedule. The project's own description is quoted as written.