Back4app vs CloudKit
Back4app
back4app.com
CloudKit
developer.apple.comSide by side
| Figure | Back4app | CloudKit |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $5/mo | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | — | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | — |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 10 | 1 |
| Spec score · Backend as a Service (BaaS) Software | 8.6 (#2) | 7.8 (#10) |
| Integrations | Webhooks can connect Back4app to external services, and the API page names Slack, Zapier, and payment processors as integration examples. | CloudKit automation supports integration tests from Xcode or a CI system, and CKTool JS can be embedded in developer tools. |
| Security | The pricing page lists SOC 2 Type 2 and ISO 27001 for Pay As You Go and Dedicated, and HIPAA after a BAA is signed for Dedicated. | Developers can configure fields in private CloudKit databases to be encrypted in storage and in transit to their application. |
Plans
Back4app
- AI Agent FreeFree
- Backend Platform FreeFree
- Web Deployment FreeFree
- Web Deployment Shared$5 a month
- AI Agent Starter$9.99 a month
- MVP$15 a month
- Web Deployment Dedicated$50 a month
- Pay As You Go$80 a month
- Dedicated$400 a month
- EnterprisePriced on request
In their own words
CloudKit
CloudKit is Apple’s service for storing structured app and user data in iCloud and synchronizing it across devices and the web. Data is organized in containers with public, private, and shared databases, and synchronization is bidirectional across iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, watchOS, visionOS, and web apps. CloudKit supports Swift, Objective-C, and JavaScript. Apple Developer Program membership includes up to 1PB of free storage for each app. CloudKit Console lets developers manage containers and schemas, inspect test data, and review telemetry, logs, and alerts. Fields in private databases can be configured for encryption in storage and while travelling to the application. Public databases use World, Authenticated, and Creator roles. Separate sandbox and production environments are provided; production schemas can only be changed in a forward-compatible manner. Automation supports integration tests from Xcode or a CI system, and CKTool JS can be embedded in developer tools. CloudKit JS adds CloudKit support to web apps. A free plan is listed at free, while pricing is from $99/yr. Incoming traffic is throttled by limits and controls that may change over time.