Appwrite Has a Free API — Open-Source Backend for Web and Mobile

#appwrite #backend #api #opensource

Appwrite is an open-source BaaS that gives you auth, databases, storage, functions, and messaging — all with a REST API and SDKs for every platform.

What Is Appwrite?

Appwrite provides backend services so you can focus on your app. Self-host it or use Appwrite Cloud.

Free tier (Cloud):

75K monthly active users
10GB storage, 2GB bandwidth
750K function executions
Unlimited projects

Quick Start (Docker)

docker run -it --rm \
  --volume /var/run/docker.sock:/var/run/docker.sock \
  --volume "$(pwd)"/appwrite:/usr/src/code/appwrite:rw \
  --entrypoint="install" \
  appwrite/appwrite:latest

REST API

# Create document
curl -X POST https://cloud.appwrite.io/v1/databases/DB_ID/collections/COL_ID/documents \
  -H "X-Appwrite-Project: PROJECT_ID" \
  -H "X-Appwrite-Key: API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"documentId":"unique()","data":{"title":"Hello","body":"World"}}'

# List documents
curl https://cloud.appwrite.io/v1/databases/DB_ID/collections/COL_ID/documents \
  -H "X-Appwrite-Project: PROJECT_ID" \
  -H "X-Appwrite-Key: API_KEY"

JavaScript SDK

import { Client, Databases } from "appwrite";

const client = new Client()
  .setEndpoint("https://cloud.appwrite.io/v1")
  .setProject("PROJECT_ID");

const db = new Databases(client);
const docs = await db.listDocuments("DB_ID", "COL_ID");
console.log(docs.documents);

Use Cases

Mobile apps — auth + DB + storage + push
Web apps — real-time subscriptions
Serverless functions — 10+ runtime support
File management — upload, transform, serve
Messaging — email, SMS, push notifications

Appwrite vs Alternatives

Feature	Appwrite	Firebase	Supabase
Open source	Yes	No	Yes
Self-hosted	Yes	No	Yes
Auth providers	30+	10+	20+
Functions	Yes	Yes	Yes
Messaging	Yes	FCM only	No

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