Best Game Backend Services in 2026
Updated
In short: brainCloud is ranked #1 of 26 as of 4 October 2026, ahead of Edgegap and Metaplay. The best-ranked option with a free plan is Metaplay. The lowest first paid tier on this page is Edgegap at $0.03/mo.
When a game needs connected features, backend services can bring together player accounts, multiplayer networking, cloud data, and live operations. Compared on cloud data and deployment model, these options also differ across matchmaking, live-ops tools, and player accounts. Free plans and paid-from pricing offer cost points to weigh alongside those capabilities. The ranking opens with brainCloud, Colyseus, and Metaplay, with AccelByte Gaming Services and Photon Engine also among its first entries. Consider whether your priorities center on managing player identities, coordinating multiplayer sessions, or supporting ongoing game operations, then use the listed criteria to compare the services.
26 game backend services ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
Recognised 40% · Phone app 26% · Documented 20% · Free plan 14% of the score
- 1 brainCloud iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.9$15/mo Multiplayer networking: YesPlayer accounts: YesMatchmaking: Yes
- 2 Edgegap iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.9$0.03/mo
- 3 Metaplay iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.9€195/mo Multiplayer networking: YesPlayer accounts: YesMatchmaking: Yes
- 4 Photon Engine iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.9$125/mo Multiplayer networking: YesPlayer accounts: YesMatchmaking: Yes
- 5 AccelByte Gaming Services iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.8$1,500/mo Multiplayer networking: YesPlayer accounts: YesMatchmaking: Yes
- 6 Colyseus iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.8$15/mo Multiplayer networking: YesPlayer accounts: YesMatchmaking: Yes
- 7 GamePush Android only RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.8$5.99/mo Multiplayer networking: YesPlayer accounts: Yes
- 8 Normcore iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.8$49/mo Multiplayer networking: YesPlayer accounts: YesMatchmaking: Yes
- 9 SmartFoxServer iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.8€32.50/mo Multiplayer networking: YesPlayer accounts: YesMatchmaking: Yes
- 10 Epic Online Services iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.7Free
- 11 PlayFab iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.7$99/mo Multiplayer networking: YesPlayer accounts: YesMatchmaking: Yes
- 12 Satori iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.6 Player accounts: Yes
- 13 SpacetimeDB No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.3$25/mo Multiplayer networking: YesPlayer accounts: YesMatchmaking: No
- 14 Nakama No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.3 Multiplayer networking: YesPlayer accounts: YesMatchmaking: Yes
- 15 Open Match No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.3 Multiplayer networking: NoPlayer accounts: NoMatchmaking: Yes
- 16 Talo No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.3 Multiplayer networking: YesPlayer accounts: Yes
- 17 GameFabric No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.2 Multiplayer networking: YesMatchmaking: No
- 18 Agones No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.1 Multiplayer networking: Yes
- 19 Amazon GameLift Servers No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.1 Multiplayer networking: YesPlayer accounts: NoMatchmaking: Yes
- 20 Beamable No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.1 Multiplayer networking: YesPlayer accounts: YesMatchmaking: Yes
- 21 Gameye No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.1 Multiplayer networking: YesPlayer accounts: NoMatchmaking: No
- 22 Heroic Cloud No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.1 Multiplayer networking: YesPlayer accounts: YesMatchmaking: Yes
- 23 Hiro No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.1 Multiplayer networking: YesPlayer accounts: YesMatchmaking: Yes
- 24 LootLocker No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.1 Player accounts: Yes
- 25 Pragma Engine No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.1 Multiplayer networking: YesPlayer accounts: YesMatchmaking: Yes
Is your app on this list?
Numbered spots on this list can be sponsored. They are labelled, and the editorial order and scores never change for payment.
Questions about this list
Which game backend service is ranked first on Samsung Mobile US Press?
brainCloud is ranked #1 of 26 with a score of 7.9. Edgegap is second and Metaplay third.
How many of these have a free plan?
11 of the 25 on this page publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
Which is the cheapest paid option?
On this page, Edgegap has the lowest first paid tier we found: $0.03/mo.
How is this list ranked?
Ranked mobile-first: a phone app alongside the web or desktop product, a free tier and the depth of its documentation. Paid placements never change a rank.