BaaS Provider Selection Tool
Find Your Ideal BaaS Provider
Answer a few quick questions to get personalized recommendations for Backend, Banking, or Blockchain as a Service providers based on your project type, team size, and geographic needs.
By 2025, the term BaaS doesn’t mean just one thing anymore. It’s shorthand for three very different, but equally important, cloud services: Backend as a Service, Banking as a Service, and Blockchain as a Service. If you’re building an app, launching a fintech product, or exploring Web3, knowing which providers lead each category isn’t optional-it’s essential.
Backend as a Service: The Hidden Engine of Modern Apps
Most apps don’t run on code written from scratch on a server. They rely on Backend as a Service (BaaS) platforms to handle authentication, databases, file storage, and real-time updates. This lets developers focus on what users see, not the plumbing behind it. Firebase, Google’s platform, still dominates for startups and small teams. It’s free to start, integrates with Google Analytics and Cloud Functions, and works seamlessly with Android and iOS apps. But it’s not open source. If you want full control over your data and infrastructure, Supabase is the go-to alternative. Built on PostgreSQL, Supabase gives you real-time subscriptions, edge functions, and a dashboard that feels like a developer’s dream. No vendor lock-in. Transparent pricing. Even the free tier includes 50k monthly active users. AWS Amplify is the enterprise pick. It’s not just a backend-it’s a full-stack toolkit. If you’re already using AWS, Amplify ties into Lambda, Cognito, and S3 with minimal setup. But it’s complex. You need cloud experience to use it well. Appwrite stands out for its open-source model. You can self-host it on your own server, or use their cloud. It supports REST and GraphQL, has built-in OAuth, and works with React, Flutter, and even Unity. For teams that hate black-box systems, Appwrite is a breath of fresh air. And then there’s Back4App. It’s the modern heir to Parse Server, the open-source backend Facebook once offered. Back4App handles everything from push notifications to server-side code, with a clean UI and solid documentation. It’s especially popular with mobile app teams who need reliability over flashy features.Banking as a Service: Embedding Finance Without a Bank License
Want to let your users send money, open accounts, or get debit cards-all inside your app? That’s Banking as a Service. And in 2025, you don’t need a banking license to do it. You just need the right API provider. Solarisbank leads in Europe. It’s a fully licensed digital bank that lets fintechs, marketplaces, and even e-commerce stores offer banking services under their own brand. Need a business account with SEPA payments? Solarisbank handles compliance, KYC, and card issuance. They’ve expanded beyond Germany to the UK and parts of Asia. Treezor, owned by Société Générale, is another European powerhouse. With an EMI license covering 25 countries, it’s ideal for startups targeting the EU. Their API lets you issue virtual cards, manage wallets, and process payments-all with built-in fraud detection. It’s not cheap, but if you’re serious about compliance, Treezor saves you years of legal work. Itexus is the global player. They don’t just offer APIs-they build custom financial stacks. If you’re a SaaS company adding invoicing, or a gig platform needing payouts, Itexus tailors the solution. Their strength? Deep integration with payment gateways like Stripe and Adyen, plus support for multi-currency accounts. Railsr, after its 2023 recapitalization, is back with a sharper focus. They’re now targeting mid-sized businesses in Europe and Asia that need Cards-as-a-Service. Think prepaid cards for remote teams, corporate expense cards, or even crypto-to-fiat conversion tools. Their API is simple, and their customer support is hands-on. ClearBank and Unlimit round out the top tier. ClearBank focuses on infrastructure-fast, secure payment rails for fintechs. Unlimit is leaner, built for startups that need speed over scale. Both are great if you’re not building a full bank, just adding financial features.
Blockchain as a Service: Enterprise-Grade Web3 Without the Headache
Blockchain isn’t just for crypto anymore. In 2025, companies use it for supply chain tracking, digital identity, secure voting, and automated contracts. But setting up a blockchain node? That’s a full-time job. That’s where Blockchain as a Service comes in. Rapid Innovation is the surprise leader. They don’t have the name recognition of AWS or Microsoft, but they deliver what enterprises actually need: speed and affordability. Their 90-day deployment guarantee isn’t marketing fluff-it’s backed by real-world results. They’ve built private blockchains for logistics firms, tokenized asset platforms for real estate, and audit trails for pharmaceutical supply chains-all on a budget. Kaleido is the enterprise favorite. It supports Ethereum, Hyperledger, and Polygon out of the box. If your company needs to connect multiple blockchains or manage hundreds of smart contracts, Kaleido’s dashboard makes it manageable. They also integrate with Azure and AWS, so you’re not locked into one cloud. BlockApps is the Ethereum specialist. If you’re building a dApp that needs smart contracts, token standards, or NFT minting, BlockApps gives you pre-built templates and a visual contract editor. No Solidity expertise required. Their clients include Fortune 500 companies testing blockchain for internal record-keeping. Bloq and tZERO serve niche but high-value markets. Bloq helps banks and institutional investors deploy private blockchains. tZERO is focused on regulated digital securities-think stock tokens, bond tokens, and compliance-heavy asset trading. If you’re in finance, these aren’t just options-they’re prerequisites. Paystand stands apart. They don’t offer a blockchain platform. They offer a payment network built on blockchain. Their solution eliminates B2B transaction fees by settling payments in real time using a private ledger. For companies paying suppliers across borders, Paystand cuts costs by 40% on average.
How to Choose the Right BaaS Provider
Not all BaaS providers are equal. Your choice depends on what you’re building-and who you’re building for.- For startups and indie devs: Start with Supabase (backend), Unlimit (banking), and Rapid Innovation (blockchain). All have free tiers, simple APIs, and strong documentation.
- For enterprise apps: AWS Amplify (backend), Solarisbank (banking), and Kaleido (blockchain). These scale with your team, meet compliance standards, and offer SLAs.
- For European markets: Treezor and Solarisbank are your safest bets for banking. Their EMI licenses mean you can operate across 25 countries without legal headaches.
- For Web3 projects: BlockApps and tZERO offer the compliance and structure you need. Don’t build on public chains alone if you’re handling sensitive data.
The BaaS Landscape in 2025: What’s Changed
Three big shifts define the current market:- Consolidation: Treezor is now part of Société Générale. Railsr was acquired after financial trouble. The market is cleaning up weaker players.
- Open source is winning: Supabase and Appwrite are eating into Firebase and Back4App’s market share-not because they’re better, but because developers trust them more.
- Integration matters more than features: The best BaaS provider today is the one that works with your existing tools-whether that’s Slack, Salesforce, or Shopify.
What’s the difference between Backend, Banking, and Blockchain as a Service?
Backend as a Service (BaaS) handles server-side functions like databases and user authentication for apps. Banking as a Service lets non-banks offer financial products like accounts and payments through APIs. Blockchain as a Service provides infrastructure to build and deploy blockchain networks without managing servers or nodes. All three use the same acronym but serve completely different purposes.
Is Supabase really better than Firebase?
It depends. Firebase is easier to start with and has better mobile SDKs. But Supabase gives you full control over your PostgreSQL database, open-source code, and no vendor lock-in. If you’re building a long-term product and care about data ownership, Supabase wins. If you need quick prototyping and Google ecosystem integration, Firebase still holds up.
Can I use Banking as a Service outside Europe?
Yes, but with limits. European providers like Solarisbank and Treezor are expanding into the UK, Canada, and parts of Asia. For the U.S. market, providers like Itexus and Sila offer U.S.-licensed banking infrastructure. Always check if the provider holds licenses in your target country-regulatory compliance is non-negotiable.
Why is Rapid Innovation leading in Blockchain as a Service?
Rapid Innovation doesn’t try to be everything. They focus on delivering working blockchain solutions in 90 days or less, at a fraction of the cost of enterprise consultants. Their team has built over 200 blockchain projects for logistics, healthcare, and finance clients. Speed, transparency, and fixed pricing make them the go-to for companies that need results, not hype.
Do I need a blockchain for my business?
Probably not-if you don’t need tamper-proof records, multi-party verification, or automated contracts. Most businesses are better off with a traditional database. Blockchain adds complexity and cost. Only use it if you’re solving a trust problem between untrusted parties-like supply chain tracking, digital ownership, or cross-border payments.
Supabase is just Firebase with extra steps and no support
Anyone who uses Firebase in 2025 is either lazy or clueless. Supabase is the only real option. AWS Amplify is for enterprises that still think YAML is a programming language. And don't get me started on Back4App - that's a relic from 2018.
Same with Banking as a Service. Solarisbank and Treezor dominate because Europe has actual regulations. The US market is a Wild West of fintech scams pretending to be banks. Itexus? Sure if you want to pay $50k just to get a sandbox.
And Blockchain as a Service? Most of these companies are just selling snake oil. Rapid Innovation is the only one not full of it. They deliver working code in 90 days. The rest? They're selling NFTs to accountants.
Stop using blockchain unless you're tracking pharmaceuticals or shipping containers. Your invoicing app doesn't need a distributed ledger. It needs a database and a better UX.
Open source isn't winning because it's better. It's winning because developers are tired of being locked in by Google's corporate greed. Supabase and Appwrite give you control. Firebase gives you a free tier and then charges you $2000/month when you hit 10k users.
And don't tell me about 'flexibility'. The only flexible thing here is the pricing model of every vendor that says 'pay as you go' until you actually use it.
Why even compare these? Supabase is fine for small stuff but if you're serious you go with AWS Amplify. Firebase is for kids who still use React Native. And blockchain? Bro if you're not using Kaleido you're wasting your time. Real companies use it. Not those crypto bros with their 'decentralized' meme coins.
Banking as a service? Solarisbank is the only one that matters. Treezor is okay if you're in France. But why bother with all this when you can just use Stripe? Everyone forgets Stripe does half of this already.
The real question isn't which BaaS provider to choose-it's whether we've lost the philosophical capacity to build systems that don't require third-party scaffolding.
We've turned software development into a shopping mall where every component is outsourced to a corporate vendor with a slick landing page and a free tier that expires the moment your app gains traction.
Supabase offers PostgreSQL-but do we even remember what it means to own data? Or have we become so accustomed to the illusion of control that we confuse open-source with liberation?
Blockchain as a Service is the ultimate metaphor for our age: a solution in search of a problem, wrapped in whitepaper jargon and sold to executives who think decentralization means 'not my problem'.
And yet, we still call this progress. We call it innovation. We call it efficiency.
But what we're really doing is outsourcing our responsibility to algorithms, to cloud providers, to compliance officers in Luxembourg who sign NDAs for a living.
The real BaaS-the Backend as a Service of the soul-is the one that asks: why must everything be mediated? Why can't we build something that lasts beyond a quarterly earnings call?
Rapid Innovation? They deliver in 90 days. But what are they delivering? A system? Or a temporary fix for a deeper rot?
We don't need more APIs. We need more wisdom.
Appwrite is underrated nobody talks about it but it's way better than Firebase for real projects