Parse
Parse is an open-source, GPL-licensed backend-as-a-service platform (Node.js server with MongoDB/PostgreSQL, REST and GraphQL APIs, and 10+ multi-platform SDKs) that lets mobile, web, and IoT developers self-host a complete backend without vendor lock-in. Now a Qiagen subsidiary.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2011
- HeadquartersMenlo Park, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What Parse does
Parse is an open-source backend-as-a-service (BaaS) platform originally founded in 2011 and headquartered in Menlo Park, California, now operating as a subsidiary of Qiagen (NYSE: QGEN). The platform provides a Node.js-based backend server (Parse Server) that supports MongoDB and PostgreSQL databases, exposes both REST and GraphQL APIs, and ships with a comprehensive suite of SDKs covering iOS, Android, JavaScript, PHP, Flutter, Dart, .NET, Swift, and Arduino/ESP32 for IoT use cases. Complementary products include Parse Dashboard (a web-based management interface for data, users, and configuration) and Cloud Code (server-side JavaScript for custom business logic, database triggers, and background jobs).
The platform's feature set covers the core backend stack developers need to launch mobile and web applications: authentication with OAuth and email verification, flexible file storage (Amazon S3, Google Cloud Storage, or local), real-time Live Queries, push notifications, and Cloud Code for custom logic. Parse's core differentiator is its no-vendor-lock-in positioning — users self-host Parse Server on any Node.js-compatible infrastructure and retain complete data ownership.
Parse's business model is freemium and open-source under the GPL license; there are no commercial pricing tiers, paid enterprise versions, or add-on products. The platform relies on community contributions (88+ contributors across SDK platforms, 5,621 GitHub stars, 1,535 forks) and is distributed through GitHub, npm, and community channels (Discord, Slack, forum) using a product-led and community-led go-to-market motion. Parse generates no direct revenue; its strategic value now sits within Qiagen, where management referenced the Parse acquisition as a contributor to expected H2 2026 growth at the TD Cowen 46th Annual Health Care Conference in March 2026, indicating integration into Qiagen's bioinformatics/healthcare vertical.
Parse firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Parse
- Legal name
- Parse Platform
- Website
- https://parse.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2011
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Parse is an open-source, GPL-licensed backend-as-a-service platform (Node.js server with MongoDB/PostgreSQL, REST and GraphQL APIs, and 10+ multi-platform SDKs) that lets mobile, web, and IoT developers self-host a complete backend without vendor lock-in. Now a Qiagen subsidiary.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Parse industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Backend-as-a-Service (BaaS)
- NAICS
- Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (5182), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151)
- SIC
- Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370), Services-Prepackaged Software (7372)
- akta.pro primary industry
- GraphQL, gRPC & Modern API Protocols (BPAMAOAK)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- DevSecOps, Cloud Security Automation & Policy-as-Code (HDABAHAM)
Keywords
Where Parse is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Menlo Park
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
Parse business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Open Source (No Direct Revenue): Parse Platform is an open-source project released under the GPL license. There is no commercial entity directly monetizing Parse. The project relies on community contributions, donations, and ecosystem growth rather than direct revenue generation.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Free Open Source - No Cost Tier |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
Parse product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Parse Platform is an open-source backend-as-a-service (BaaS) solution providing Parse Server (Node.js-based backend with MongoDB and PostgreSQL support), Parse Dashboard (web-based management interface), and a comprehensive suite of 10+ platform-specific SDKs (iOS, Android, JavaScript, PHP, Flutter, Dart, .NET, Swift, Arduino). It delivers database management, authentication with OAuth, REST and GraphQL APIs, real-time Live Queries, push notifications, Cloud Code for custom server-side logic, and flexible file storage, deployable anywhere Node.js runs without vendor lock-in.
Product overview
Parse Platform is an open-source backend-as-a-service (BaaS) solution for building modern mobile and web applications. The core offering consists of Parse Server (the main backend server) and Parse Dashboard (the web-based management interface), complemented by a comprehensive suite of 10+ platform-specific SDKs (iOS, Android, JavaScript, PHP, Flutter, Dart, .NET, Swift, Arduino) enabling development across all major platforms. The platform provides database management with MongoDB and PostgreSQL support, authentication with OAuth and email verification, file storage with Amazon S3 and Google Cloud Storage options, REST and GraphQL APIs, Cloud Code for custom server-side logic, real-time Live Queries, and push notifications. Parse positions itself as a vendor-lock-in-free alternative that can be self-hosted anywhere Node.js runs, giving developers complete control over their infrastructure and data.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Parse Server The main open-source Node.js-based backend server powering all Parse Platform features, providing core backend services, database management, authentication, APIs (REST and GraphQL), real-time queries, push notifications, and Cloud Code for mobile and web application developers.
- Parse Dashboard A powerful web-based interface for managing Parse Server data, configuration, user accounts, roles, permissions, and push notifications, featuring Data Browser, User Management, API Console, and Configuration settings.
- Parse SDK for iOS Native iOS SDK with full Parse Platform functionality for building iOS applications with Parse backend integration.
- Parse SDK for Android Native Android SDK for Parse Platform integration, enabling Android developers to connect their apps to Parse backend services.
- Parse JavaScript SDK Universal JavaScript SDK for web and Node.js environments, providing Parse backend functionality for browser-based and server-side JavaScript applications.
- Parse PHP SDK Server-side PHP SDK for Parse Platform, enabling PHP applications to interact with Parse backend services.
- Parse Flutter SDK Cross-platform Flutter SDK for mobile development, enabling developers to build iOS and Android apps with shared code using Parse backend.
- Parse Dart SDK Pure Dart SDK for server and command-line applications, providing Parse functionality for Dart environments beyond mobile.
- Parse .NET SDK Cross-platform .NET SDK for Parse Platform, enabling Windows, macOS, and Linux applications to integrate with Parse backend services.
- Parse Swift SDK Modern Swift SDK with async/await support for iOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS development with Parse Platform integration.
- Parse Arduino SDK IoT SDK for Arduino microcontrollers and ESP32/ESP8266 devices, enabling Internet of Things applications to connect to Parse backend services.
Companies that use Parse
Customer profileSegments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Parse technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration4 records
Feature8 records
Parse partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- QiagenminorQiagen mentioned Parse in the context of its strategic plans at the TD Cowen 46th Annual Health Care Conference. Qiagen indicated that the Parse acquisition (referring to a Parse-based solution in the bioinformatics/healthcare space) is expected to drive stronger growth in H2 2026. This is a third-party acquisition context rather than a formal partnership.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights3 records
Parse competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Firebase: Google's flagship Backend-as-a-Service platform offering real-time database, authentication, hosting, and cloud functions. Firebase is Parse's primary commercial competitor with vastly greater resources and integrated Google Cloud ecosystem.
- AWS Amplify: Amazon's mobile and web development platform providing backend services, APIs, and hosting integrated with the AWS ecosystem. Amplify competes with Parse across the same target market of mobile and web app developers.
Direct peers
- Supabase: Open-source Firebase alternative built on PostgreSQL offering database, authentication, storage, and real-time subscriptions. Supabase directly competes with Parse in the self-hostable BaaS market with a more active commercial open-source community.
- Appwrite: Open-source backend server providing authentication, database, storage, and functions for web, mobile, and Flutter developers. Appwrite is a direct open-source BaaS competitor with Docker-based self-hosting similar to Parse.
- Hasura: GraphQL API platform providing instant GraphQL APIs over databases with built-in authentication and event triggers. Hasura overlaps with Parse on GraphQL APIs, PostgreSQL support, and backend-as-a-service positioning.
- Backendless: Visual application development platform with managed BaaS offering database, real-time, APIs, and push notifications. Backendless directly competes with Parse for mobile and web backend services with a commercial rather than open-source model.
Emerging players
- PocketBase: Lightweight single-file open-source backend with embedded SQLite database, authentication, and real-time subscriptions. PocketBase overlaps with Parse on self-hosted BaaS but targets smaller applications and simpler deployment.
- Nhost: Open-source Firebase alternative built on GraphQL, Hasura, and PostgreSQL with managed and self-hosted options. Nhost competes with Parse on open-source backend-as-a-service with PostgreSQL support and developer-focused tooling.
- Strapi: Leading open-source headless CMS with REST and GraphQL APIs, authentication, and self-hosting capability. Strapi overlaps with Parse on developer APIs, GraphQL support, and self-hosted deployment for application backends.
- Kuzzle: Open-source backend platform providing real-time database, authentication, geofencing, and IoT support. Kuzzle overlaps with Parse on multi-protocol backend services with self-hosting and IoT focus.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Parse social profiles
Digital presenceParse financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Parse leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Parse funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds3 records
Investors8 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Parse M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Parse
What does Parse do?
Parse Platform is an open-source backend-as-a-service (BaaS) solution providing Parse Server (Node.js-based backend with MongoDB and PostgreSQL support), Parse Dashboard (web-based management interface), and a comprehensive suite of 10+ platform-specific SDKs (iOS, Android, JavaScript, PHP, Flutter, Dart, .NET, Swift, Arduino). It delivers database management, authentication with OAuth, REST and GraphQL APIs, real-time Live Queries, push notifications, Cloud Code for custom server-side logic, and flexible file storage, deployable anywhere Node.js runs without vendor lock-in.
Is Parse a public or private company?
Parse is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was Parse founded?
Parse was founded in 2011. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Parse based?
Parse is headquartered in Menlo Park, United States, in the North America region.
How does Parse make money?
One revenue line is on record: open Source (No Direct Revenue).
Who are Parse's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Firebase and AWS Amplify. Direct peers are Supabase, Appwrite, Hasura and Backendless. Emerging players are PocketBase, Nhost, Strapi and Kuzzle.
Does Parse have an API?
Yes. Parse Server exposes REST and GraphQL APIs for interacting with all Parse Platform services. The REST API provides a RESTful HTTP API accessible at endpoints like http://localhost:1337/parse for creating, reading, updating, and deleting objects. The GraphQL API supports queries, mutations, and subscriptions. Cloud Code allows custom server-side JavaScript functions for advanced business logic execution, database triggers, and background job processing. Developer documentation is at docs.parseplatform.org.
What industry is Parse in?
Parse's product category is Backend-as-a-Service (BaaS). Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAMAOAK, GraphQL, gRPC & Modern API Protocols, with a secondary code of HDABAHAM, DevSecOps, Cloud Security Automation & Policy-as-Code. Its NAICS code is 5182 and its SIC code is 7370.