bknd
bknd is a lightweight Firebase/Supabase alternative that provides a modular backend with REST API, admin UI, auth, media, and workflows, deployable across many JS runtimes.
bknd is a lightweight backend platform that provides core primitives most applications need, including data management, authentication, media handling, and workflows. It is designed to run in many JavaScript runtimes and can be deployed standalone or embedded into popular web frameworks via adapters.
Key Features
- Modular, opt-in building blocks for data, auth, media, and workflow automation
- Integrated admin UI for managing schema, data, and backend configuration
- Instant REST API with OpenAPI support and a type-safe TypeScript SDK
- Adapter-first architecture for multiple runtimes and infrastructure providers
- Supports SQL backends including SQLite variants and PostgreSQL
- Storage adapters for S3/S3-compatible providers and filesystem-based storage
Use Cases
- Build MVPs and prototypes with a ready-to-use backend and admin panel
- Create API-first apps that need a portable, framework-agnostic backend
- Run SaaS backends with user management and multi-tenant data isolation patterns
Limitations and Considerations
- Requires Node.js 22.13+ for certain Node-based deployments
- Actively developed project; backward compatibility may change before 1.0
bknd is a practical choice when you want a compact backend that can be deployed across environments without committing to a single vendor. Its adapter-based approach makes it suitable for teams that want control over databases, storage, and runtime choices while keeping development simple.