IDX·October 31, 2026·1 min read
The app in the store is only half of the product. Logins, orders, messages and images all live on a backend that has to be fast, secure and available around the clock.
The parts of a typical backend
- API server: the application your app talks to, written in Node.js, PHP, Python, .NET or similar.
- Database: PostgreSQL or MySQL for most business data.
- File storage: profile pictures, documents and media, best kept on object storage rather than the API server's disk.
- Push notifications: sent through Apple's and Google's services.
- Admin dashboard: for your team to manage users, orders and content.
Hosting options
- Single VPS: API, database and files on one cloud VPS. Simple and affordable for launch and early growth.
- Separated services: API servers, a dedicated database server and object storage. Each scales independently.
- Managed backend platforms: quick to start, but costs and limits grow with usage and you depend on one vendor.
For most business apps, starting on a well-sized VPS and splitting services as traffic grows gives the best balance of cost and control.
Must-haves from day one
- HTTPS on every API endpoint.
- Daily database backups stored off the server, tested by restoring.
- Monitoring that alerts you when the API is down or slow.
- Separate environments for development, testing and production.
- Rate limiting and authentication on every endpoint.
Plan for launch day
App store features, campaigns and press can multiply traffic overnight. Know how you will scale before it happens.
At IDX
IDX hosts app backends on cloud VPS and dedicated servers, with S3-compatible object storage for media. We also build mobile apps: send your idea through our project request page.
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