parse-server vs spacetimedb
Two of the top projects in Backends and databases, side by side: who leads on each score part and who each one suits, then setup, license, activity and what each review found.
parse-server
Node.js backend with REST and GraphQL APIs on MongoDB or PostgreSQL
spacetimedb
Relational database that runs your app logic as modules and syncs clients live
Verdict
parse-server ranks higher, 68 to 66. Of the 5 score parts we measure for both, parse-server leads on 1, spacetimedb on 2 and 2 are even.
- Adoptionspacetimedb leads by 8 points, 57 to 49.
- FreshnessEven at 100.
- Maintenancespacetimedb leads by 5 points, 83 to 78.
- Easy to runparse-server leads by 17 points, 67 to 50: a wide gap.
- Agent-readyEven at 0.
Pick parse-server if you are
Developers self-hosting a REST/GraphQL backend for mobile and web apps
- Runs standalone or embedded in an existing Express app
- Supports both MongoDB (7, 8) and PostgreSQL (16-18) with PostGIS
Pick spacetimedb if you are
Developers building realtime web apps or multiplayer games, no separate server
- Replaces the API server and pub/sub layer: clients subscribe to tables and get pushed updates
- Module languages: Rust, C#, TypeScript, C++; client SDKs include React hooks, Unity and Unreal
| What we compare | parse-server | spacetimedb |
|---|---|---|
| Score parts, out of 100 | ||
| Adoption | 49, known | 57, popular |
| Freshness | 100, active | 100, active |
| Maintenance | 78, fair | 83, healthy |
| Easy to run | 67, easy | 50, easy |
| Agent-ready | 0, none | 0, none |
| Facts from GitHub and the README | ||
| Stars | 21.4k | 25.3k |
| License | Apache-2.0 (permissive) | custom license (read the license) |
| Last commit | Oct 2026 | Oct 2026 |
| Last release | Oct 2026 | Oct 2026 |
| Language | JavaScript | Rust |
| Docker | Yes | Yes |
| GPU | Not needed | Not needed |
| arm64 or Apple Silicon | Not stated | Mentioned |
parse-server
Parse Server is a self-hosted backend that runs on Node.js, either standalone via the parse-server CLI or mounted on an Express app. It exposes REST and GraphQL APIs backed by MongoDB or PostgreSQL (with PostGIS), and adds Cloud Code, Live Query, push notifications, file adapters and per-key access scopes. Official Parse SDKs cover the major client platforms.
Who it is for: Developers self-hosting a REST/GraphQL backend for mobile and web apps
Strengths
- Runs standalone or embedded in an existing Express app
- Supports both MongoDB (7, 8) and PostgreSQL (16-18) with PostGIS
- Includes Cloud Code, Live Query, GraphQL, push and pluggable file storage adapters
- Fine-grained access scopes: master, read-only master, session and maintenance keys
Weaknesses
- No built-in admin UI in this repo; a separate dashboard project is needed
- Requires you to provision and operate your own MongoDB or PostgreSQL
- Docker image must be built from the repo; README shows no prebuilt image or compose file
- Node.js version support is tied to specific majors and shifts with each release
- no GPU
- Docker
- Needs Node.js 20, 22 or 24, MongoDB 7/8 or PostgreSQL 16-18 with PostGIS
- port 1337
spacetimedb
SpacetimeDB is a relational database that doubles as the application server. You write tables and reducers as a module in Rust, C#, TypeScript or C++, upload it, and clients connect directly, subscribe to tables and receive committed changes automatically. State is held in memory with an on-disk commit log for durability, and reducers run as ACID transactions.
Who it is for: Developers building realtime web apps or multiplayer games, no separate server
Strengths
- Replaces the API server and pub/sub layer: clients subscribe to tables and get pushed updates
- Module languages: Rust, C#, TypeScript, C++; client SDKs include React hooks, Unity and Unreal
- Reducers are ACID transactions; confirmed reads wait for commit log durability by default
- Used for the full backend of the MMORPG BitCraft Online
Weaknesses
- BSL 1.1 license, converting to AGPL v3.0 with linking exception after a few years
- Aimed at low-latency transactional workloads, not batch or analytical queries
- Application logic lives inside the database, tying the app to its module model
- RAM requirements are unknown, though all application state is held in memory
- no GPU
- Docker + Compose
- port 3000
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