Apollo vs Parse vs Parse-Server: What are the differences?

Introduction

In the realm of backend as a service (BaaS), Apollo and Parse are two popular names. Here, we will delve into the key differences between Apollo and Parse, specifically Parse-Server.

1. Data Storage: Apollo is primarily a GraphQL client that allows you to fetch and manage data stored on various endpoints efficiently. On the other hand, Parse is a BaaS platform that provides a complete backend solution, including data storage, user authentication, and push notifications. Parse-Server is an open-source version of Parse that can be self-hosted and offers more customization options for data storage compared to Parse.

2. Deployment: When it comes to deployment, Apollo typically requires a separate server to handle business logic and database interactions as it is more of a client-side library. In contrast, Parse and Parse-Server offer a comprehensive backend infrastructure out of the box, making it easier to deploy and scale applications without the need for additional server management.

3. Scalability: Apollo's scalability largely depends on how the server is set up to handle GraphQL queries efficiently. Parse-Server, being a full-fledged BaaS solution, comes with built-in scalability features that can handle large volumes of data and requests without significant manual intervention. This makes Parse-Server a more attractive option for applications expecting rapid growth.

4. Community Support: Apollo has a robust community of developers due to its association with GraphQL and is well-supported by GraphQL services and libraries. On the other hand, Parse's community support has dwindled over the years since Facebook relinquished control over the platform. Parse-Server, being open-source, relies heavily on the community for updates and maintenance.

5. Language Support: Apollo is language-agnostic and can be used with any programming language that supports GraphQL. Parse, however, has SDKs available for popular languages such as JavaScript, Swift, and Java, making it easy to integrate with different platforms. Parse-Server inherits this language support and expands it further through community contributions.

6. Real-time Capabilities: Apollo's real-time capabilities are powered by subscriptions in GraphQL, allowing clients to receive live updates from the server. Parse-Server supports real-time capabilities through its LiveQuery feature, enabling developers to subscribe to changes in the database in real-time. This makes Parse-Server a suitable choice for applications requiring instant updates and notifications.

In Summary, Apollo is more focused on client-side data management with GraphQL, while Parse and Parse-Server offer comprehensive backend solutions with data storage, user authentication, and real-time capabilities. Parse-Server, being open-source, provides more customization options and scalability features compared to Parse.