Instant
The best backend for AI-coded apps
Instant is a real-time database backend for web and mobile applications, designed to be operated from the terminal by developers and AI agents. It addresses the need for a single backend that combines relational data, real-time synchronization, offline support, and access control without requiring separate services or server-side endpoint code.
Core capabilities include InstaQL, a declarative JavaScript query language, and InstaML, a transaction API for creating, updating, deleting, and linking data. The platform provides built-in auth with magic links and social sign-in, permissions based on Google's Common Expression Language, file storage, payments, presence, and streams. Client SDKs support React and other frontend frameworks, while CLI tools let agents manage projects, push schemas, and perform dashboard operations. End-to-end type safety covers schemas, queries, and transactions, and destructive actions include undo support.
Instant is aimed at developers building real-time, multiplayer, or offline-capable applications, including those using AI coding tools. It is open source and offers unlimited free projects with no credit card, trial period, or commercial-use restrictions, with additional plans available for scaling usage.
12 alternatives to Instant
Ranked by how well each tool replaces Instant: shared features, audience, price and popularity.
- 60 out of 100 match—
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- 59 out of 100 match$5/mo
The real-time AI database for enterprise. Answers included.
Covers 0 of 15 key features.
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Open source object-relational database system
Covers 1 of 15 key features.
Free planOpen source59 out of 100 matchFreeTime series database platform (InfluxDB) for real-time and operational data.
Covers 1 of 15 key features.
Free planOpen source58 out of 100 match$1,500/mo- 58 out of 100 matchFree
A distributed database for mission-critical, high-velocity applications requiring in-mem.
Covers 0 of 15 key features.
Open source58 out of 100 match—- 57 out of 100 matchContact sales