1backend
1Backend is a self-hosted, AI-native platform for building microservices and microfrontends without early infrastructure overhead. It handles authentication, multi-tenancy, routing, and LLM execution in containers, designed as a distributed operating system for applications.
Key facts
Objective fields from the source. Values we can't verify are shown as “Unknown” rather than guessed.
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Repository | 1backend/1backend |
| Owner | 1backend |
| Primary language | Go |
| License | AGPL-3.0 — OSI-approved |
| Stars | 2.3k |
| Forks | 117 |
| Open issues | 1 |
| Latest release | v0.9.0 (2025-10-12) |
| Last updated | 2026-05-27 |
| Source | https://github.com/1backend/1backend |
What 1backend is
Go-based full-stack framework providing service registry, API gateway, authentication, multi-tenant routing, containerized LLM support, and built-in ORM. Exposes services via HTTP routing with SDK support for Go and JavaScript; supports Docker-based deployment with configurable edge proxy and SSL.
Get the 1backend source
Clone the repository and explore it locally.
git clone https://github.com/1backend/1backend.gitcd 1backend# follow the project's README for install & configurationNeed it deployed, integrated, or customized instead? DEV.co ships production installs.
Best use cases
Implementation considerations
- AGPL-3.0 license: any modifications or network use must have source code disclosed to users; review licensing implications before deployment.
- Pre-1.0 release (v0.9.0): API stability and breaking changes possible; evaluate changelog and roadmap for compatibility concerns.
- Docker-based deployment required; self-hosting infrastructure (compute, networking, SSL) is responsibility of operator.
- Service account/credential model requires each microservice to manage its own auth; integration with existing identity systems (LDAP, OIDC) not clearly documented.
- Built-in ORM locks you into 1Backend data layer; migration complexity if future database switching is needed.
When to avoid it — and what to weigh
- Commercial closed-source deployments requiring permissive licensing — AGPL-3.0 requires disclosure of source code and modifications to all users. Proprietary use requires careful review or commercial licensing arrangement (Unknown if available).
- Mature production environments requiring stable, long-term support — Latest release is v0.9.0 (pre-1.0). Active development is evident, but stability guarantees and enterprise SLA commitments are not stated.
- Organizations with strict lock-in avoidance on data stores — Platform includes custom ORM; dependency on 1Backend's data abstraction layer may complicate future migration or multi-database strategies.
- Small teams without DevOps capacity or container expertise — Requires Docker, understanding of microservice patterns, and manual server configuration. No managed cloud offering mentioned; self-hosting burden is significant.
License & commercial use
Licensed under AGPL-3.0 (GNU Affero General Public License v3.0). This is a copyleft license requiring source code disclosure to all network users and licensees. Any modifications must be shared under the same license.
AGPL-3.0 is not a permissive OSI license suitable for closed-source commercial products without source disclosure. Internal/on-premise use may be allowed, but any SaaS or network-exposed derivative requires source release. Commercial licensing or exceptions: Unknown—requires direct contact with maintainers.
DEV.co evaluation signals
Editorial assessment — not user reviews. Directional, with an explicit confidence level.
| Signal | Assessment |
|---|---|
| Maintenance | Active |
| Documentation | Adequate |
| License clarity | Clear |
| Deployment complexity | Moderate |
| DEV.co fit | Good |
| Assessment confidence | Medium |
Platform claims zero-trust architecture and built-in auth/multi-tenancy. No third-party security audit, penetration test results, or vulnerability disclosure policy mentioned. Self-hosting security posture depends entirely on operator's infrastructure hardening. AGPL-3.0 source availability aids review but does not guarantee secure design. Service credential management model requires careful operational discipline.
Alternatives to consider
Kubernetes + custom ingress + auth middleware
Lower-level but more flexible; no licensing constraints; industry standard with mature ecosystem; higher operational overhead.
OpenFaaS or Knative
Dedicated serverless/function-as-a-service platforms; simpler for event-driven workloads; less monolithic; permissively licensed.
Hasura / Supabase
PostgreSQL-first backends with automatic API generation; strong open-source community; more mature; permissively licensed (Apache 2.0).
Build on 1backend with DEV.co software developers
Review the AGPL-3.0 licensing terms, validate security posture for your threat model, and test the Docker quickstart in a sandbox environment before committing to production adoption.
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1backend FAQ
Can I use 1Backend commercially without open-sourcing my code?
What databases does 1Backend support?
Is there a managed/cloud version of 1Backend?
Can I integrate 1Backend with my existing auth system (LDAP, OKTA, Auth0)?
Custom software development services
DEV.co helps companies turn open-source tools like 1backend into production software. Our software development services cover the full lifecycle — architecture, web development, integration, and maintenance — delivered by software developers and web developers who ship. Engage our software development agency to implement or customize it for your open-source devops stack.
Evaluate 1Backend for your infrastructure
Review the AGPL-3.0 licensing terms, validate security posture for your threat model, and test the Docker quickstart in a sandbox environment before committing to production adoption.