BACKND

Overview

BACKND is a game backend API and SDK for studios adding online services to mobile, PC and web games. It suits teams that want accounts, data, matchmaking and live multiplayer infrastructure in one offering. Its breadth is compelling, but database free-tier caps and distinct product-specific plans call for careful sizing before launch.

AFI, Inc. is based in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. BACKND says it encrypts data, monitors for customer-information leakage risks and holds TTA V&V quality certification; it is also an AWS Official Partner and available through AWS Marketplace.

BACKND sits in the Game LiveOps Software category, with backend infrastructure at its center.

Key features

Backend and data

BACKND Base combines authentication, cloud storage, social functions, rankings, notices, events, coupons, push notifications, receipt verification and an admin console. Players can sign in with custom ID and password, guest accounts, or Google, Apple and Facebook federation. This gives small teams a broad set of routine game services without having to build each one themselves.

BACKND Database supports user and shared data, access permissions, SQL-like queries, indexes, backups and downloads. The Database FREE plan includes 300 MB read bandwidth, 100 MB write bandwidth and 200 MB storage. Those are tight allowances for a live game, and exceeding them can restrict game usage, so free access is better suited to evaluation or modest workloads than an unmonitored production launch.

Multiplayer, chat and server functions

BACKND Match supports 1:1, individual and team matchmaking, plus result processing, reconnection and in-game chat. BACKND Chat adds real-time channels, auto-scaling, moderation tools, profanity filtering, reports, sanctions and translation. Channels can expand to 5,000 users, with concurrent users scaling to 100,000. That ceiling is useful for large communities, while the range of moderation tools gives teams more control over public chat.

BACKND Worlds supplies persistent servers and real-time state synchronization for MMO and other large-scale multiplayer games. Unity is officially supported; other engines can connect by calling server APIs directly. BACKND Function lets developers write server-side features in C# with Unity-style syntax, supported by Visual Studio and Visual Studio Code extensions and a CLI.

Operations and integrations

Documentation covers Unity SDKs, an Unreal SDK, a Platform API and a .NET SDK across products. Remote configuration, live event tools and in-game messaging extend its operational scope. Webshop tools handle authentication, item delivery, refunds and delivery history, with no extra integration or operating cost stated for the feature. Newplay and Xsolla are supported; unsupported webshops can be submitted for review.

Refund Management supports Google Play, the App Store and ONE Store, using real-time refund webhooks and automatic user blocking. It requires BACKND Base SDK integration and store webhook registration. The homepage advertises 24/7 expert support, while contact hours are KST 10:00–18:00.

Pricing

BACKND is freemium and offers free access to all features for testing, with no stated trial duration. Pricing is split across separate services, so the free allowance in one product should not be mistaken for the limits of another.

• Chat Free: 0.00 USD per free, billed Free; up to 50 CCU, 1 GB/month traffic, core chat features and translation. A useful starting point for smaller chat needs, but the 50-CCU ceiling is restrictive for busier channels.
• Chat BASIC 100: 9.00 USD per month, billed USD 9/month; up to 100 users per channel, essential chat features and 5 GB/month traffic. This raises the channel cap and traffic allowance but gives up the higher-tier management features.
• Chat PRO 100: 19.00 USD per month, billed USD 19/month; up to 100 users per channel, core chat features and Pro management features.
• Chat PRO Translate 100: 28.00 USD per month, billed USD 28/month; up to 100 users per channel, Pro features and translation. It fits teams that need both paid management features and translation.
• Database FREE Plan: 0.00 USD per free, billed Free; unlimited users, up to 100K free transaction calls per feature/month and up to 25 projects. These transaction and project allowances do not remove the separate Database FREE bandwidth and storage caps.
• Database PRO: 29.00 USD per month, billed $29/month; 15 GB read bandwidth, 10 GB write bandwidth, 2 GB storage, 10 indexes and 100 tables. It offers a substantial step up from the free database limits for growing projects.
• Database SCALE: 829.00 USD per month, billed $829/month; 300 GB read bandwidth, 150 GB write bandwidth, 20 GB storage, 10 indexes and 300 tables. This is aimed at much larger data workloads, but its price makes capacity planning important.
• Database Basic: custom pricing; no monthly base fee, includes FREE benefits, charges for usage beyond free limits and includes paid technical support. This may suit teams preferring usage-based costs, but over-limit use is still billable.
• Enterprise: custom pricing, billed Contact Sales; stable service environment and a dedicated server option. The dedicated option makes it the relevant route for teams requiring that setup.

Platforms

BACKND lists Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, web, Windows and API platforms. Game engine support includes Unity and Unreal Engine. Chat SDK support covers Android, iOS, Windows, Mac (Editor) and Linux; Unity, Unreal and Platform API documentation is also provided.

Who it's for

BACKND is best for game teams that need a broad backend stack, especially Unity developers building social, competitive or persistent multiplayer games. Its matchmaking, chat moderation, refund handling and operational tools can reduce the number of separate services a team must assemble. It is less compelling for projects needing only analytics or version control, and teams with heavy database traffic should budget beyond the free caps.

Pros and cons

• Pro: Base bundles accounts, data, social features and operational tools, reducing the need to build common backend components separately.
• Pro: Match, Chat and Worlds cover matchmaking through persistent multiplayer, with moderation and scaling provisions for chat.
• Pro: Webshop delivery and refund tools connect game operations with supported stores, including automatic blocking after refunds.
• Con: Database FREE allowances are small, and exceeding them can restrict game usage.
• Con: Worlds officially supports Unity; other engines must integrate through direct server API calls.
• Con: Product-specific plan names and quotas require teams to track more than one allowance when estimating costs.

Alternatives

Choose Metaplay if local development without hard limits is the priority: its Free plan includes a full SDK and local server. brainCloud is another freemium game backend option, with free development and support plans. Pick GameAnalytics instead when the need is analytics dashboards, funnels, cohorts, retention and real-time reporting rather than backend services. Unity Version Control is the relevant alternative for cloud version control and storage. Consider Balancy for CMS, payment validation and cloud storage. Tenjin is an alternative for conversion-focused measurement. Joystick offers a cloud option with pay-for-what-you-use pricing and no per-seat fees. AccelByte Gaming Services is another freemium gaming-services platform.

Verdict

BACKND is a strong fit for Unity-oriented game teams seeking backend, multiplayer and live-operations services together, with particularly useful coverage for chat, refunds and persistent worlds. Choose it for that breadth and its free testing access; look elsewhere if database limits would put a live game at risk or if your project needs an officially supported Worlds engine beyond Unity.