realtime backend / BaaS
Horizon is a realtime, open-source backend for JavaScript apps, built on RethinkDB and providing a server, client library, CLI, and planned GraphQL support.
Same problem, same approach. Swapping one for another is a config change, not a rewrite.
actively maintained realtime BaaS with auth, permissions, storage, presence, and streams; choose when you want a modern drop-in-style backend without RethinkDB ops.
Instant is the best backend for AI-coded apps. You get auth, permissions, storage, presence, and streams — everything you need to ship apps your users will love.
Solves the same problem with a different architecture or at a different layer. Expect to rewrite the integration.
OT-based realtime database backend; choose when you need collaborative editing/offline synchronization with your own persistence.
Realtime database backend based on Operational Transformation (OT)
decentralized peer-to-peer graph data sync; choose when you want offline-first, serverless apps instead of a central RethinkDB backend.
An open source cybersecurity protocol for syncing decentralized graph data.
An earlier or more limited way to do the job. Still the right call when you need something small, proven, or CPU-only.
unmaintained Node toolkit for realtime APIs; choose only for legacy Deployd maintenance or a very old-school self-hosted setup without RethinkDB.
a toolkit for building realtime APIs
narrower Postgres/WebSocket realtime layer; choose when you already run Postgres and only need broadcast, presence, or database-change events.
Broadcast, Presence, and Postgres Changes via WebSockets
These projects were analysed and named horizon among their alternatives. The relationship is not symmetric — how horizon rates them is a separate judgement, made when horizon is analysed in its own right.
calls horizon “Choose for a complete realtime backend with RethinkDB, different from ShareDB's OT.”
Realtime database backend based on Operational Transformation (OT)
calls horizon “choose it only if you are committed to RethinkDB and want a JS-native realtime backend, despite Horizon's stale/narrower feature set”
Open Source realtime backend in 1 file
calls horizon “Use only for legacy or simple realtime JavaScript apps that fit a RethinkDB-era backend with limited modern BaaS features.”
The all-in-one, open-source backend platform for agentic coding. InsForge gives your coding agent database, auth, storage, compute, hosting, and AI gateway to ship full-stack apps end-to-end.
calls horizon “Use it for a historical RethinkDB-powered Firebase-style realtime JS backend; it is stale and lower-level than Instant.”
Instant is the best backend for AI-coded apps. You get auth, permissions, storage, presence, and streams — everything you need to ship apps your users will love.