Xano

Xano (xano.com) is a no-code backend-as-a-service platform that lets developers, agencies, and app builders design databases, create APIs, and implement server-side business logic through a visual drag-and-drop builder — without managing servers or writing extensive backend code. Over 100,000 SMB and enterprise applications are built on Xano, making it the dominant no-code backend choice for teams pairing it with frontend tools like Bubble, WeWeb, Adalo, Webflow, and custom React or Vue applications. The platform runs on PostgreSQL with Docker/Kubernetes infrastructure, delivering enterprise-grade performance and automatic scaling under the hood.

In 2026, Xano has expanded beyond pure backend building to include an AI Agent Builder — a visual tool for designing agentic AI workflows that connect to your Xano backend logic, enabling teams to build AI-powered automations without Python scripts or third-party AI infrastructure. Combined with 90+ pre-built function blocks for common backend operations, Lambda functions for custom JavaScript, and SOC 2 audited security, Xano occupies a powerful position for teams who need serious backend capability without a dedicated backend engineering team.

How Xano Works

You start by designing your database schema in Xano's visual table editor — defining fields, relationships, and indexes in a PostgreSQL database without writing SQL. You then create API endpoints visually: each endpoint is a stack of function blocks that define the logic — query the database, transform data, apply conditions, call external APIs, authenticate users, and return a response. Xano auto-generates API documentation and provides a built-in API tester. Authentication is handled automatically with support for API keys, OAuth, JWT, and role-based access control. Your backend is instantly accessible from any frontend framework or no-code tool via the generated API endpoints. For edge cases, Lambda functions let you write custom JavaScript inline within the visual builder.

Key Features

• Visual API builder — 90+ pre-built function blocks for database queries, transformations, conditionals, loops, and external API calls assembled in a drag-and-drop flow
• PostgreSQL database — visual schema design with relational tables, relationships, indexes, and filtering — no SQL required
• AI Agent Builder — visually design agentic AI workflows connected to your Xano backend logic without writing AI infrastructure code
• Built-in authentication — auto-generated auth endpoints supporting API keys, OAuth, JWT, and role-based access control
• Lambda functions — write custom JavaScript inline within the visual builder for cases where visual blocks aren't sufficient
• Scalable managed hosting — Docker containers orchestrated by Kubernetes auto-scale with traffic; no infrastructure management required
• SOC 2 audited security — enterprise-grade security compliance with encryption, audit logs, and access controls
• Real-time and background tasks — support for webhooks, scheduled background jobs, and real-time data operations
• Frontend agnostic — integrates with any frontend: Bubble, WeWeb, Adalo, Webflow, React, Vue, or custom code
• Free plan — build and test your backend at no cost with rate-limited API access for prototyping and small projects

Xano Pricing

Monthly prices shown below; annual billing reduces each paid plan cost.

• Free — $0/month — Build and test your backend with access to the visual API builder, database designer, and authentication system. Rate limited to 10 requests per 20 seconds. Suitable for prototyping and early development.
• Launch — $99/month (annual: $85/month) — Full production-ready backend with higher request rates, expanded database capacity, custom domain, and priority support. Designed for startups and apps in early growth.
• Scale — $249/month (annual: $224/month) — Higher throughput, expanded capacity, advanced features, and dedicated resources for applications with significant traffic and complex logic requirements.
• Enterprise — custom pricing for large organisations requiring dedicated infrastructure, custom SLAs, enterprise support, and advanced compliance features.

Free plan has a strict rate limit (10 req/20s) that limits real-world testing. Annual billing saves approximately 14–15%. Always verify current rates at xano.com/pricing.

Who Should Use Xano?

Xano is the go-to choice for no-code and low-code builders who need a serious, production-grade backend — agencies building SaaS products for clients, startup founders who want a scalable API without a backend engineer, and technically-minded product managers who understand database design and API concepts. It pairs particularly well with visual frontend builders like Bubble, WeWeb, and Adalo, with the WeWeb + Xano stack being especially popular among agencies in 2026. Xano is not beginner-friendly: you need to understand database architecture, API design, and the concept of request/response flows to use it productively. Pure visual designers or users with no data background will hit walls quickly and may find AppSheet or Airtable more approachable.

Frequently Asked Questions