App42 Cloud API vs Epic Online Services

App42 Cloud API is a REST-based backend toolkit for developers building applications. It provides JSON and XML interfaces and more than 20 modules with over 400 APIs, including user and session management, storage, recommendations, messaging, gaming, and geospatial services. Analytics cover API calls, storage, installations, user activity, push messages, and custom event funnels; social tracking can include Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, or App42 Single Sign-On users. Cloud Code lets developers run server-side logic, combine services, create APIs, and schedule code. Gaming features include global and social leaderboards. SDKs are listed for Android, iOS, Windows and other platforms, but downloading them requires email registration. A free plan is available. Medium starts at $85 a month billed yearly and includes 15 Million API Calls, 15 GB bandwidth, 15 GB storage, and 50 leaderboards. Free, Medium, and Large plans list Best Effort uptime; Enterprise lists Committed SLAs. ShepHertz, the maker, was founded in 2010 and is headquartered in India.

Epic Online Services is a suite of modular online services for game developers. Its service areas cover accounts and social features, multiplayer, player and game data, and trust and safety. Social capabilities include crossplay, friends, presence, overlay, and the Epic Games account ecosystem. Multiplayer tools include peer-to-peer features, sessions, lobbies, and voice chat. Developers can use leaderboards, stats, achievements, and storage for player and title data. Trust and safety services include Easy Anti-Cheat, sanctions, player reports, and Kids Web Services. The services can be used with Unreal Engine, Unity, or a developer's chosen engine. SDKs are available for PC in C or C#, Android, and iOS; console SDKs require a request through the Developer Portal. Epic describes the service as free to use, with no royalty or hosting fees, though usage restrictions may apply. Epic says it processes game-service data to operate the services and does not share partner data without explicit authorization. Use may be throttled or suspended for violations of service restrictions.