Custom Backend Development – You Control Code and Data

Stop Rising Cloud Costs and Vendor Lock-in

Your business is growing – but your backend costs are exploding? Many companies start with Firebase or Supabase, but after 6 months pay more than for their own backend. Additionally: You are completely dependent on one provider and have no control over your data.

The Solution: A custom backend gives you full control over code, data and costs. This means for your business:

• Costs decrease with growth: Fixed infrastructure costs instead of linear price increase per user
• Full data sovereignty: You control where your data resides (GDPR, ISO 27001)
• No dependency: No vendor lock-in – you can change hosting provider at any time
• Complex business logic possible: Your specific processes, not limited by BaaS constraints
• Performance for millions of users: Scales with your growth without quality loss
• Integration with existing systems: Connection to your ERP, CRM or legacy databases

Cost Example: Firebase costs ~€2,000/month with 100,000 active users. Your own backend on AWS/Hetzner: ~€300/month. You save €20,400 per year.

Backend Architecture for Your Business

The right architecture depends on your business goals, scaling needs and team size. We develop solutions that grow with your company. Read our complete guide to backend architecture best practices: Firebase vs. Supabase, microservices and scaling strategies.

What You Get From Us:

• Fast start: Efficient development for quick market launch
• Scalable architecture: From MVP to enterprise system – your solution grows with you
• Cost efficiency: Optimal balance between development costs and operating costs
• Maintainability: Clear structures for long-term maintenance
• Flexibility: Architecture adapts to changing requirements

We analyze your requirements and recommend the right architecture for your project – from lean starts to highly scalable enterprise systems.

How We Build Your Backend – Without Technical Debt

NestJS: Enterprise Framework for Long-term Maintainability

We rely on NestJS, a TypeScript framework that enforces strict architecture patterns. For your business this means:

• Fewer bugs in production: TypeScript catches 70% of all errors before deployment
• Easy extensions: New features can be added without refactoring – saves development time
• Faster onboarding: New developers understand the structure immediately – reduces training time by weeks
• Scalable from day 1: Architecture patterns used by Netflix and Uber

PostgreSQL: The Right Database for Your Business

We use PostgreSQL, an open-source relational database used by millions of companies worldwide. Perfect for mobile apps that need scalable backends:

For special use cases we also use MongoDB (flexible document structures) or Redis (real-time caching for 99% faster response times).

REST vs. GraphQL: The Right API for Your Clients

REST APIs are perfect for simple apps and public interfaces – universally compatible, easy to cache:

• Standard CRUD operations (Create, Read, Update, Delete)
• Public APIs for partners and third parties
• Simple mobile apps with few data types

GraphQL saves development time and bandwidth for complex apps:

Backend Security & GDPR

Security is not optional. Every backend we develop implements security best practices:

Authentication & Access Control

• Secure user authentication: Modern methods for API security
• Social login integration: Google, Apple, Microsoft login
• Role-based permissions: Granular access control
• Two-factor authentication: Additional security for critical areas
• Biometric authentication: Integration for Mobile Apps

Data Encryption

• Encrypted communication: Highest security standards for all data transfers
• Database encryption: Secure storage of sensitive information
• End-to-end encryption: For highly sensitive data in healthcare and finance
• Secure password storage: State-of-the-art methods for protecting credentials

GDPR Compliance

• Privacy by Design: Data protection from the first line of code
• Consent Management: Consent management for all data processing
• Right to be Forgotten: Data deletion on request
• Data Portability: Export all user data in machine-readable format
• Audit Logs: Complete traceability of all data access
• German/EU Hosting: Optionally available (see Cloud Services)

Comprehensive Security Measures

• Input validation: Protection against all common attack types
• Rate limiting: Protection against brute-force and overload attacks
• API security: Comprehensive protection of all interfaces
• Automated security checks: Continuous monitoring for known vulnerabilities
• Professional security audits: Regular penetration tests by experts

What Does Backend Development Cost?

The cost of custom backend development depends on complexity, data architecture and integrations. As a guide:

Long-term Cost Efficiency: A custom backend becomes cheaper than Backend-as-a-Service at a certain point, as BaaS costs scale linearly with usage.

Our Technology Strategy: Enterprise-Proven, Future-Proof

For technical decision-makers: We don't rely on experimental technologies, but on an "Opinionated Stack" with proven enterprise tools. This means: Faster development, long-term maintainability and an ecosystem with 10+ years future-proofing.

Do you have existing systems (SAP, legacy databases, .NET)? We integrate seamlessly with your infrastructure.

Core Backend Architecture

Technology Selection by Use Case

While we primarily focus on NestJS/TypeScript, we select technology based on your specific requirements. We master the full spectrum of modern backend technologies:

API & Integration

Security & Compliance

DevOps & Quality Assurance

Why This Stack?

NestJS instead of Express: Enforced architecture patterns prevent technical debt. Dependency injection = testable code. Large enterprise community = long-term stability.

PostgreSQL instead of MongoDB: Relational integrity prevents data inconsistencies. JSONB support = flexibility where needed. Better concurrency (MVCC). Open-source without vendor lock-in.

TypeScript instead of JavaScript: Compile-time type checking catches 70% of all bugs before deployment. Better refactoring. Self-documenting code = easier onboarding of new developers.

Performance & Scaling

A backend must not only work, but also perform – today and when you've grown 10x.

Caching Strategies

• Redis Cache: In-memory caching for frequent queries (99% latency reduction)
• CDN Integration: Static assets via CloudFlare/AWS CloudFront
• Database Query Caching: Intelligent caching at query level
• HTTP Caching: ETags, Cache-Control headers

Database Optimization

• Index Optimization: Proper indexes for fast queries
• Query Optimization: Avoid N+1 problem, efficient joins
• Connection Pooling: Efficient database connections
• Read Replicas: Load distribution for read access

Horizontal Scaling

• Load Balancing: Distribute traffic across multiple servers
• Stateless Architecture: Any server can handle any request
• Auto-Scaling: Automatic server scaling based on load (see Cloud Services)
• Message Queues: Asynchronous processing for long operations (RabbitMQ, Redis Queue)

Backend-as-a-Service vs. Custom Backend

When does BaaS (Firebase, Supabase) make sense and when do you need custom? Detailed comparison: Firebase vs. Supabase vs. Custom Backend with cost analysis and decision matrix.

Backend-as-a-Service (BaaS) – The Quick Start

Advantages:

• Fast MVP (weeks instead of months)
• No infrastructure management
• Integrated features (Auth, DB, Storage, Hosting)
• Low entry costs

Disadvantages:

• Vendor lock-in (hard to migrate)
• Limited business logic (only client-side or simple cloud functions)
• Costs scale linearly (€€€ with growth)
• Less control over data and performance
• Limited compliance options

We recommend BaaS for: MVPs, prototypes, internal tools, simple apps without complex logic

Custom Backend – Full Control

Advantages:

• Full control over code, data, architecture
• Complex business logic possible
• Cost-efficient at scale
• No vendor lock-in (migratable)
• Compliance-ready (GDPR, ISO 27001, HIPAA)

Disadvantages:

• Longer development time
• Infrastructure management required
• Higher initial costs

We recommend custom for: Business-critical apps, scalable products, complex logic, regulated industries, long-term products

Hybrid Approach – Best of Both Worlds

We often use a hybrid approach: Supabase/Firebase for auth & storage + custom backend for business logic. You save development time for standard features and have flexibility for custom logic.

Integration with Existing Systems

Your new backend doesn't need to exist in a vacuum. We integrate with your existing systems:

• ERP Systems: SAP, Microsoft Dynamics, Odoo
• CRM Systems: Salesforce, HubSpot, Custom CRMs
• E-Commerce: Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento
• Payment Providers: Stripe, PayPal, Adyen, SEPA Direct Debit
• Legacy Databases: Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server, MySQL
• Third-Party APIs: Google Maps, Twilio, SendGrid, etc.

Backend Maintenance & Support

After launch we keep your backend current and secure:

• Security Patches & Dependency Updates
• Performance Monitoring & Optimization
• Database Backups & Disaster Recovery
• Bug Fixes & Incident Response
• Feature Extensions

See details at Maintenance & Support.

Why IntegrIT Solutions for Backend Development?

• Full-Stack Expertise: We develop not only backend, but also your Mobile App – perfectly integrated
• 10 Years Experience: We've developed backends for startups to enterprise
• Modern Tech Stacks: NestJS, TypeScript, PostgreSQL – Production-proven
• GDPR Expertise: We know the regulatory requirements in Germany
• Direct Contact: You speak with the Senior Developer, not with Sales
• Transparent Pricing: No hidden costs, clear project planning

Start Your Backend Project

Ready for your custom backend? Book a free 30-minute consultation. We analyze your requirements and recommend the optimal architecture for your application.