The layers of an app

Most apps need a handful of these. Each layer lists the providers we have verified so far.

• Domains & DNSMost appsThe web address people type, like yourapp.com. You rent it yearly from a registrar, and the renewal price is often higher than the first year.4 verified providers
• Frontend & Static HostingMost appsWhere your website files live and get served to visitors. Most of these also run small server functions and deploy straight from GitHub.4 verified providers
• PaaS & ContainersRuns a full backend server or Docker container for you, without managing a machine. Useful when your app needs a long-running process.4 verified providers
• Virtual Private ServersA rented Linux machine you manage yourself. Cheapest per unit of power, but you handle updates, security and backups.4 verified providers
• DatabasesMost appsStores your app's data: users, posts, orders. Many hosted databases also include authentication and file storage.7 verified providers
• Object Storage & CDNHolds uploaded files like images and videos. Watch the egress price: some charge every time a file is downloaded.5 verified providers
• AuthenticationMost appsSign-up, login, password reset and social login. Usually priced by monthly active users.5 verified providers
• Transactional EmailMost appsSends emails your app triggers, like verification links and receipts. Free tiers often have a daily cap.5 verified providers
• Payments & Merchant of RecordTakes card payments. A merchant of record also handles sales tax and VAT for you, for a higher fee.6 verified providers
• Background Jobs & QueuesRuns work outside a web request, like sending a batch of emails or processing an upload, with retries if it fails.4 verified providers
• Error Tracking & LogsTells you when your app breaks, with the error and the line of code that caused it, before users report it. Usually priced by the number of errors recorded.3 verified providers
• Product & Web AnalyticsCounts visitors and what they do, so you can see which pages and features get used. Priced by events or page views, and some tools set no cookies.3 verified providers
• LLM APIs & InferenceLarge language models you call from your code. Priced per token, with input and output billed separately.5 verified providers
• Vector DatabasesStores embeddings so your app can search by meaning. Often unnecessary at first: Postgres with pgvector covers small apps.4 verified providers
• AI Gateways & SandboxesSits between your app and AI models to add caching, fallbacks and usage limits, or runs AI-generated code safely.3 verified providers
• Search EnginesFast, typo-tolerant search over your own content or products.3 verified providers
• CI/CD PipelinesRuns your tests and deploys automatically on every push.3 verified providers
• Serverless ComputeRuns small pieces of backend code on demand, billed per request instead of per server.3 verified providers
• Headless CMSLets you or your team write and edit pages, posts and images in a dashboard, which your site then fetches through an API.3 verified providers
• Feature FlagsTurns features on or off for some or all users without a new deploy, so you can roll out slowly or switch something off fast.3 verified providers
• Text Messages (SMS)Sends text messages to phones, such as sign-in codes and alerts. Prices here are for US numbers.3 verified providers
• Video HostingStores your videos, converts them for every screen and streams them to viewers.3 verified providers
• Form HandlingCollects what people type into contact or sign-up forms and emails it to you, without writing a backend.3 verified providers
• Realtime MessagingPushes updates to everyone on a page instantly, for chat, live dashboards or notifications, without them refreshing.3 verified providers
• iPhone & iPad AppsPuts your app on iPhones and iPads. Apple charges a yearly developer fee and a share of in-app sales.1 verified provider
• Android AppsPuts your app on Android phones. Google charges a one-time sign-up fee and a share of in-app sales.1 verified provider
• Mobile App BuildsTurns your code into iPhone and Android app files in the cloud, so you can ship without building every release on your own Mac.3 verified providers
• Push NotificationsSends alerts to people's phones, even when your app is closed.3 verified providers
• In-app SubscriptionsHandles subscriptions and purchases inside your app across the App Store and Google Play, with one set of code and one set of reports.3 verified providers
• Business EmailGives you and your team inboxes at your own domain, like you@yourcompany.com. Different from the email your app sends.3 verified providers
• NewslettersCollects subscribers and sends them regular updates, with sign-up forms and an archive.2 verified providers