Simperium
Simperium is a hosted cross-platform data synchronization service providing real-time sync, offline-first access, and operational-transform conflict resolution for app developers via SDKs for iOS, Android, JavaScript, Python, and Ruby. It operates as a subsidiary of Automattic Inc.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2012
- HeadquartersSan Francisco, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What Simperium does
Simperium is a hosted cross-platform data synchronization service that provides real-time bidirectional data sync, offline-first access, and automatic conflict resolution for software developers. The platform is positioned as a focused data layer — rather than a full backend-as-a-service — that integrates with existing developer frameworks including Core Data on iOS (via SPManagedObject) and Backbone.js on the web. The underlying architecture is built on tornado, sockjs, zeromq, MongoDB, and gevent, using operational transforms for conflict resolution (including automatic string merging for concurrent edits), WebSocket/SockJS connections for real-time streaming, and versioned storage retaining up to 50 recent versions plus every 10th version beyond. Client SDKs are available for iOS/macOS, Android, JavaScript, Python, and Ruby, with the client libraries distributed as open source under the MIT license via GitHub.
The primary customer segment is app developers building mobile, web, and desktop applications that require seamless data synchronization across devices and platforms without standing up custom sync infrastructure. A secondary segment is backend service developers who use admin API keys and firehose access to receive all user data changes in real time. Simplenote — also operated by Automattic — functions as the flagship proof-of-concept deployment, with over 1 million end users and more than 17 billion requests processed on the platform.
Simperium generates revenue through tiered subscription pricing based on monthly API request volume, ranging from a free trial (up to 250k requests/month) to $25/month Essential, $99/month Plus, $299/month Pro, $999/month Premium, and custom enterprise pricing above 5 million requests per month. The pricing model was transitioned from per-active-user to per-request in 2017. The company was acquired by Automattic Inc. in January 2013 and currently operates as a subsidiary of the WordPress.com parent company, with a remote-first team of 1–10 employees distributed globally.
Simperium firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Simperium
- Legal name
- Simperium (service offered by Automattic Inc.)
- Website
- https://simperium.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2012
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Simperium is a hosted cross-platform data synchronization service providing real-time sync, offline-first access, and operational-transform conflict resolution for app developers via SDKs for iOS, Android, JavaScript, Python, and Ruby. It operates as a subsidiary of Automattic Inc.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Simperium industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Data Synchronization Platform
- NAICS
- Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (518)
- SIC
- Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370)
- akta.pro primary industry
- File Storage, Sync & Sharing (BPAMAMAE)
Keywords
Where Simperium is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Francisco
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Simperium business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Subscription-based API Usage: Simperium generates revenue through tiered subscription plans based on the number of API requests per month. Plans range from free trial up to enterprise pricing, with higher tiers offering more requests. The pricing model transitioned from per-active-user to per-request in 2017.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Annual | Trial - Free tier for new users |
| Usage-based | Monthly | Essential - Entry-level paid plan |
| Usage-based | Monthly | Plus - Mid-tier plan |
| Usage-based | Monthly | Pro - High-volume tier |
| Usage-based | Monthly | Premium - Very high volume |
| Usage-based | Monthly | Enterprise - Custom high-volume pricing |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
Simperium product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Simperium provides a hosted, cross-platform data synchronization service that automatically moves data across mobile, web, and desktop applications and their backend services. It exposes client SDKs for iOS/macOS, Android, JavaScript, Python, and Ruby, plus HTTP and WebSocket APIs, with built-in offline support, operational transform conflict resolution, versioning, and presence detection. The product is sold to developers via a self-serve, usage-based subscription model.
Product overview
Simperium is a cross-platform data synchronization platform offered by Automattic. The core product is a hosted data sync service that automatically moves data across devices, apps, and users in real-time. The platform provides client SDKs for iOS/macOS, Android, JavaScript, Python, and Ruby, along with HTTP and WebSocket APIs for custom integrations. All SDKs integrate with native data frameworks (Core Data on iOS) and web frameworks (Backbone.js for JavaScript). The architecture supports offline-first usage with automatic conflict resolution for concurrent edits. Pricing tiers are based on monthly API requests rather than user counts.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Simperium Core Platform Hosted cross-platform data synchronization service that automatically moves data across mobile, web, and desktop apps, handling networking, storage, conflict resolution, versioning, offline access, and real-time collaboration for developers.
- Simperium iOS/macOS SDK Native iOS and macOS framework that integrates with Core Data to sync data across iPhone, iPad, and Mac apps as well as non-Apple platforms, with support for background fetch, authentication UI, and automatic conflict resolution.
- Simperium Android SDK Native Android library for data synchronization on Android devices, compatible with non-Android versions of apps, providing user account management and automatic sync with the Simperium hosted service.
- Simperium.js (JavaScript SDK) JavaScript library for web applications that enables real-time data sync in browsers, integrates with frameworks like Backbone.js, and uses SockJS to maintain a persistent WebSocket connection to Simperium servers.
- Simperium Python Library Python wrapper for the Simperium HTTP API, designed for backend services and command-line applications, allowing developers to receive all user data changes and maintain mirrored databases.
- Simperium Ruby Library Ruby wrapper for backend services and admin tools that supports receiving all app data changes, reacting to changes (e.g., sending emails), and integrating with services like Urban Airship and Twilio.
- Simperium HTTP API Raw HTTP API providing authentication endpoints (auth.simperium.com) and data endpoints (api.simperium.com), supporting user management, bucket operations, object CRUD, and firehose access for all user data changes.
- Simperium WebSocket API Streaming API accessible over WebSocket or SockJS for real-time bidirectional data synchronization, supporting index retrieval, entity versioning, change notifications, and presence features.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 1 million users trust Simplenote (built on Simperium) with their personal information
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Simperium
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Simperium technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration5 records
Feature6 records
Simperium partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- AutomatticcoreSimperium was acquired by Automattic in January 2013. Automattic is a distributed company known for WordPress.com, Jetpack, and Simplenote. The acquisition enabled Simperium to leverage Automattic's infrastructure, open-source philosophy, and distributed team model. Simperium continues to operate as a service for developers while benefiting from Automattic's resources and expertise in building and scaling online services.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Simperium competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Firebase: Google's mobile and web BaaS offering real-time data sync (Realtime Database/Firestore) with SDKs across iOS, Android, and web. Most direct competitor to Simperium for cross-platform app developers needing managed sync infrastructure.
- Couchbase (CouchDB / Couchbase Mobile): Provides an offline-first document database with built-in peer-to-peer and server sync, used in mobile and IoT apps. Competes with Simperium's offline-first sync value proposition.
- AWS AppSync: Amazon's managed GraphQL service with real-time subscriptions and offline data sync across mobile and web. Directly comparable to Simperium for developers building synced, offline-first applications at scale.
- Realm (MongoDB): Realm SDK offers local object database with Atlas Device Sync for cross-device data synchronization. Now part of MongoDB, targets the same developer use case as Simperium with native iOS/Android libraries.
Emerging players
- PubNub: Real-time infrastructure for chat, IoT, and collaborative apps with presence and history features. Comparable to Simperium for developers needing real-time cross-platform data delivery.
- Pusher: Provides real-time WebSocket-based messaging and pub/sub APIs for collaborative apps. Adjacent to Simperium's real-time WebSocket sync, though Simperium emphasizes durable data sync over ephemeral events.
- Ably: Real-time messaging and data synchronization platform with presence, history, and pub/sub. Competes with Simperium for collaborative and multi-device app use cases at the messaging/sync layer.
- Parse (Meta Open Source): Open-source BaaS originally from Facebook offering data storage, push, and user management with SDKs for mobile and web. Overlaps with Simperium's developer-focused sync and storage offering.
Broad incumbents
- Microsoft Azure Cosmos DB: Globally distributed multi-model database offering tunable consistency and multi-region sync. A broader enterprise alternative to Simperium for developers needing managed sync at scale.
Others
- Backbone.js (now part of broader JS frameworks): Open-source JavaScript MV* framework that Simperium.js integrates with natively. While not a direct competitor, its data-modeling approach is intertwined with Simperium's JavaScript sync strategy.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Simperium social profiles
Digital presenceSimperium financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Simperium leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Simperium funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds3 records
Investors5 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Simperium 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 Simperium
What does Simperium do?
Simperium provides a hosted, cross-platform data synchronization service that automatically moves data across mobile, web, and desktop applications and their backend services. It exposes client SDKs for iOS/macOS, Android, JavaScript, Python, and Ruby, plus HTTP and WebSocket APIs, with built-in offline support, operational transform conflict resolution, versioning, and presence detection. The product is sold to developers via a self-serve, usage-based subscription model.
Is Simperium a public or private company?
Simperium is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Simperium founded?
Simperium was founded in 2012. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Simperium based?
Simperium is headquartered in San Francisco, United States, in the North America region.
How does Simperium make money?
One revenue line is on record: subscription-based API Usage.
Who are Simperium's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Firebase, Couchbase (CouchDB / Couchbase Mobile), AWS AppSync and Realm (MongoDB). Emerging players are PubNub, Pusher, Ably and Parse (Meta Open Source). Microsoft Azure Cosmos DB is listed as a broad incumbent. Backbone.js (now part of broader JS frameworks) is listed as an others.
Does Simperium have an API?
Yes. Simperium offers a comprehensive API suite including HTTP and WebSocket/SockJS protocols for data synchronization. The HTTP API provides authentication endpoints (auth.simperium.com) for user management and data endpoints (api.simperium.com) for data operations. WebSocket API enables streaming real-time data synchronization via wss://api.simperium.com/sock/1/APP_ID/websocket. API keys grant permissions at Admin, Default, or Read-Only levels. All data is transferred over SSL. Client libraries are available for iOS, OSX, Android, JavaScript, Python, and Ruby. Developer documentation is at simperium.com/docs.
What industry is Simperium in?
Simperium's product category is Data Synchronization Platform. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAMAMAE, File Storage, Sync & Sharing. Its NAICS code is 518 and its SIC code is 7370.