8 Best Approaches for Mobile App Backend Development

Learn from mobile experts what a backend is, which is the best for mobile apps, and what makes them worthy. 

What is Mobile Backend Development?

The backend of the mobile app is the brain. Without this important organ, even the most beautifully designed app can falter. Why?

It handles all the behind-the-scenes processes, such as storing data, managing servers, authenticating users, and many more. These processes are essential to ensure that every feature of the app is working properly. 

Let’s take Uber as an example again to understand. When a user books a ride on the app, the 

algorithm at the backend works to find the nearest driver in the user’s location. 

So, What Happens at the Backend

Though every mobile app is built differently, its backend shares common functionalities. For example: 

• Data Management: Any application must store, retrieve, and manage user data, app settings, and media files. These activities happen at the backend. 
• User Authentication: Securely managing users' logins, sign-ups, and sessions is again a common but must-have functionality in many mobile apps, such as eCommerce stores. This requires a strong safety net to authenticate whether an intended user is accessing the app or not. It’s complex, but the backend is built for it. 
• Integration with APIs: Every mobile application must connect with other applications or services, such as payment gateways. The backend ensures they are well connected and communicate uninterrupted to exchange the necessary information for functioning. 
• Push Notifications: Some mobile apps share live alerts with users, managed from the backend. 
• Scalability: As users increase over time, the app's workload increases too. A solid mobile app backend is built to handle this load without affecting the application's functionality. 

Types of Mobile Application Backend

Your application’s performance is at stake. Choosing the wrong approach means all the money and time is wasted. A right one pays well off. Here are the common approaches behind the backend development you should know to pick the best approach. 

a comparison table of different types of mobile app backend development

1. Custom Backend Development

Everything will be done from the square one. Though it's a lot of work, you get maximum control over your application’s working. You can hand-pick the database type to store and manage your data. However, understanding different database types is important for it. 

Next, a backend developer will create custom APIs and write code to implement specific business logic for your application. 

Choose a Custom Approach If

• Your app is complex or has unique requirements that on-the-shelf solutions cannot offer. 
• The app needs to integrate with proprietary systems. A custom approach will ensure that this connection is secure from outsiders. 
• You want complete control over data and functionality.
• You belong to an industry where security and compliance are important, like healthcare or finance. 

2. Backend-as-a-Service (BaaS)

Unlike the custom approach, everything is readily available here. Backend-as-a-service platforms like Firebase or AWS Amplify offer pre-built functionalities such as user authentication, database management, and cloud storage. Mobile app developers can focus more on the front end while vendors take care of the behind-the-scenes. 

Choose BaaS if

• You need more resources or technical expertise.
• Your app needs less customization.
• You are in a hurry to release the mobile app compared to your competitor.
• You have a low budget for hiring a backend developer. 

3. Serverless Backend

Quite similar to BaaS, a serverless backend charges on a per-usage basis. It is also known as Functions-as-a-Service (FaaS), where cloud services handle backend tasks on-demand. You don’t have to manage on-premise servers or infrastructure. Let your team write the code for functions you need in the application, and the cloud provider will take care of the rest.

Choose Serverless Backend If

• The app is going to scale in the future. 
• You do not have enough time, money, and a team to manage the server. 
• The application is event-driven or has periodic tasks.

4. Monolithic Approach

Traditionally, applications were monolithic. All the components to run the application, from the user interface to the database, were packed in a software bundle. They were closely connected to each other and ran as a single process. 

Choose the Monolithic Approach If

• Your application has minimum features, and they are interdependent.
• You need to launch the application quickly.
• The application barely needs to be updated.
• The app is in the early stages of development. 

If this is an ideal approach for mobile application backend development, you must have a solid knowledge of tech stack types as different technologies are used for different applications. 

5. Microservice Architecture 

Nowadays, applications are built using a microservice approach where each function/service is independent. Each one has a separate database and is built using the most suitable language. Though they are independently built, they are connected using APIs.

Choose the Microservice Approach If

• The application has ample features that need independent development.
• The application’s load fluctuates frequently. 
• The development teams are working independently on different aspects of the application. 
• Application downtime is unacceptable. 

6. Cloud Backend Development

Though not a development approach, the cloud backend is all about hosting and managing the app’s infrastructure. Cloud platforms such as AWS, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), and Microsoft Azure have built-in features to host, deploy, and manage the backend of mobile apps. However, experts are still required to manage the resources and optimize the cost of mobile app development. 

Choose Cloud Backend If

• The application is scalable as the cloud automatically allocates resources in case of heavy traffic. 
• Managing on-premise servers is out of your budget. 
• Your application has a worldwide reach. 
• The application must always be reliable and available to the users. 

7. Headless Backend

It is called headless because the front end is separated from the back end. The server, database, and API work independently. However, they communicate with the front end through APIs. It might sound similar to microservice architecture, but both are different. 

The headless approach only separates the backend and front end, whereas the microservice approach separates the different components of the mobile app. Additionally, each component has its own API, whereas the headless mobile application backend has a centralized API for communication. 

Choose a Headless Backend If

• You are building a progressive web app or an eCommerce store. 
• Your application delivers dynamic content and provides a consistent user experience on different channels. For example, a content management system. 
• The application will work with new technologies without rewriting the existing backend. 

8. Hybrid Backend App Development

This is the best backend for mobile app development as it combines the strengths of different approaches. For instance, you might use a custom backend for important features and a BaaS for less complex functions like push notifications.

Choose This Approach If

• Your app is complex. 
• You want to balance customization with development speed.
• You need flexibility to adapt to changing requirements.

Hire the Experts for Mobile Backend Development

Building a backend isn’t just about writing code. It’s about architecting a solution that ensures your mobile app:

• Works seamlessly, even during high traffic.
• Grow without performance issues.
• Protects user data.

With over 18 years of experience in mobile app development, Softude has designed and implemented robust backends for apps across industries like healthcare, finance, eCommerce, and logistics. Whether you have a custom-built mobile app for a high-security environment or need help integrating APIs for smooth third-party interactions, we can add value to your mobile app.

Wrapping It Up

The backend is the less visible part of mobile apps, but you cannot ignore it at any cost. From custom approaches to serverless setups, each backend type has the power to make your application strong and reliable. 

Let's connect if you need help with a mobile app idea waiting to take shape or already in the development cycle. Our experts will choose the best approach for developing a robust backend for your mobile app. 

‍