Appwrite

What is Appwrite?

Appwrite is an open-source backend-as-a-service used by more than half a million developers, bundling auth, databases, storage, serverless functions, messaging, and realtime into one project. The 2.0 release repositions it as agent-first: on top of five database types (including native PostgreSQL and MySQL engines, plus a dedicated VectorsDB), S3-compatible storage, and an OAuth 2.1/OIDC identity server, it adds an MCP integration so a coding agent or an autonomous AI agent can create and operate its own backend resources directly through Appwrite's API instead of a human clicking through a console.

Key features

• Auth, five database types (relational, schemaless, vector), storage, functions, messaging, and realtime in one project
• Native PostgreSQL and MySQL engines alongside Appwrite's own DocumentsDB and VectorsDB
• S3-compatible storage API, usable with existing S3 tooling
• OAuth 2.1 / OIDC-compliant identity server for building on top of Appwrite as a platform
• MCP support so AI agents can call Appwrite's APIs directly
• Free, fully open-source Community Edition for self-hosting; Cloud adds Domains and Firewall

How to get started

1. Start a project on Appwrite Cloud, or self-host the free Community Edition
2. Connect an SDK, the MCP server, or the Console/Explorer to your project
3. Set up the auth, database, storage, or function resources your app needs
4. Let a connected coding agent provision or modify resources via the API where useful

Use cases

• Teams building an AI agent product that needs its own auth, database, and storage without wiring together separate services
• Vibe-coding platforms where an AI agent needs to manage a user's backend resources directly
• Multi-tenant SaaS provisioning a separate project per customer, driven by API calls
• Developers who want an open-source, self-hostable alternative to a closed backend platform

Appwrite vs. alternatives

FAQ

Is Appwrite free to use?

Appwrite's plans: Free self-hosted Community Edition; usage-based Cloud plans. Pricing and free-tier limits change over time, so check the official site above for the latest details.

What is Appwrite used for?

Open-source backend platform, rebuilt so AI agents can provision and run it directly.

Who is Appwrite best for?

Appwrite is a good fit for teams building an AI agent product that needs its own auth, database, and storage without wiring together separate services, or vibe-coding platforms where an AI agent needs to manage a user's backend resources directly.

What are the alternatives to Appwrite?

Browse the Model APIs & Infra category on AIKetra for other tools worth comparing.