Software Alternatives & Startups

Parse VS Pling.com

Compare Parse VS Pling.com and see what are their differences

Parse

Build applications faster with object and file storage, user authentication, push notifications, dashboard and more out of the box.

Parse Landing page
Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Open source
Pling.com

A community where developers and artists share applications, themes and other content

Pling.com Landing page
Rating
0 reviews

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, Parse should be more popular than Pling.com. It has been mentioned 21 times since March 2021.

social mentions
21 vs 14
Developer Tools popularity
94% vs 6%
alternatives listed
240+ vs 2

Base details

Website, pricing, platforms and company facts side by side.

Parse
Pling.com
Website parseplatform.org pling.com
Pricing
Open source
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Parse 5 features
Pling.com 4 features
  • Open Source
    Parse Platform is open-source, which means it is free to use and can be customized to fit the needs of your application without any licensing fees.
  • Rich Feature Set
    Parse provides a wide range of built-in features such as a robust database system, real-time notifications, user authentication, cloud functions, and file storage, reducing the amount of development work needed.
  • Cross-Platform Support
    Parse supports multiple platforms including iOS, Android, JavaScript, .NET, and more, enabling easier development across different types of applications.
  • Community and Documentation
    There is a strong community around Parse with extensive documentation and numerous tutorials, which can help developers quickly resolve issues and learn best practices.
  • Unified Backend
    Parse allows developers to manage database, server code, and user authentication in one unified platform, simplifying backend management.

Possible disadvantages

  • Self-Hosting Complexity
    While Parse is open-source, it requires self-hosting, which involves managing and maintaining your own server infrastructure, adding operational complexity.
  • Performance
    Depending on your server setup and scaling needs, you might encounter performance issues, especially for high-traffic applications, requiring constant monitoring and fine-tuning.
  • Limited Scalability
    Parse might not be as scalable as other backend solutions like Firebase, particularly for apps that need to handle massive amounts of data and users.
  • Initial Setup Time
    The initial setup of a Parse server and its environment can be time-consuming and challenging, particularly for those without DevOps experience.
  • Feature Limitations
    While Parse offers a rich feature set, some advanced features available in other modern backend-as-a-service (BaaS) platforms may lack, necessitating custom development.
  • Diverse Content
    Pling.com offers a wide range of digital content, including themes, icons, wallpapers, and software enhancements, catering to various customization needs.
  • Community Driven
    The platform is community-driven, allowing users to share and contribute their own creations, fostering a collaborative environment.
  • Open Source Friendly
    Pling.com supports many open-source projects, providing a platform for developers and users to share and discover open-source solutions.
  • Monetization Options
    Creators can monetize their content through donations or sales, providing an incentive to contribute quality content.

Possible disadvantages

  • Content Quality Variation
    Due to its open nature, the quality of content can vary significantly, which might require users to spend additional time finding suitable items.
  • User Interface
    Some users may find the website's user interface to be outdated or not as intuitive, potentially complicating navigation and content discovery.
  • Malware Risks
    As with any platform that allows user contributions, there is a risk of downloading malicious content, making it crucial for users to exercise caution and verify files.
  • Limited Support
    Being community-driven, official support is limited, and users might have to rely on community forums for troubleshooting and assistance.

Analysis

An editorial look at what each product does well and who it suits.

Parse
Pling.com

Overall verdict

  • Parse is a good choice for developers looking for a flexible and scalable backend solution that can be deployed on their own servers or using cloud services. It is particularly beneficial due to its active community and extensive documentation.

Why this product is good

  • Parse is a popular open-source backend-as-a-service framework that simplifies app development by handling server-side components, freeing developers to focus on front-end development. It offers features like push notifications, cloud functions, social media integration, and a real-time database.

Recommended for

  • Developers who want an open-source solution with the freedom to self-host.
  • Teams building mobile or web applications that require a robust backend service.
  • Projects that need strong support for relational data and real-time functionalities.
  • Developers looking to avoid the overhead of writing custom backend code.

Overall verdict

  • Pling.com is a solid platform for the Linux and open-source community, offering a marketplace for themes, icons, wallpapers, and other desktop customization content while allowing creators to earn from their work. It's well-regarded for supporting the open-source ecosystem, though its user interface can feel dated and the content quality varies.

Why this product is good

  • Large library of free and paid Linux desktop customization content including themes, icons, and wallpapers
  • Supports open-source creators by enabling them to receive donations and earn income
  • Integrates with tools like the KDE Store and OpenDesktop ecosystem for easy content installation
  • Fosters a community-driven approach that benefits both users and developers
  • Free to browse and download most content

Recommended for

  • Linux users looking to customize their desktop environments like KDE, GNOME, or XFCE
  • Open-source developers and designers wanting to share and monetize their work
  • Enthusiasts seeking themes, icons, wallpapers, and other desktop assets
  • Community members interested in supporting open-source creators through donations

Category popularity

How often each product is chosen within a category, 0–100% relative to the other.

Score bands 0–20 21–40 41–50 51–60 61–100
Parse
Pling.com
94% 94%
6% 6%
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%
100% 100%
0% 0%

User comments

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Reviews and articles

External articles and on-site reviews we used to compare the two products.

Parse no reviews yet
Pling.com no reviews yet

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Social recommendations and mentions

Recommendations tracked on public social media and blogs since March 2021.

Parse 21 mentions
Pling.com 14 mentions
  • Supabase Alternatives 🔄 in 2025 😼
    Parse deserves mention primarily for its historical significance as the precursor that inspired the entire backend-as-a-service space. Founded in 2011, Parse pioneered many concepts that we now take for granted in modern BaaS platforms. - Source: dev.to / over 1 year ago
  • The 2024 Web Hosting Report
    Backend as a Service (BaaS) goes back to early 2010’s with companies like Parse and Firebase. These products integrated everything a backend provides to a webapp in a single, integrated package that makes it easier to get started and... - Source: dev.to / over 2 years ago
  • How to set up a Parse Server backend with Typescript
    Parse Server is a great way to quickly spin up a backend for your project. Parse is a Node based utility that sits on top of ExpressJS. - Source: dev.to / almost 4 years ago

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  • Top Bar customization
    1 go to pling.com 2 type fedora 37 ws 3 go to the post from the linux scoop 4 go to the files tab under the screenshots 5 download said file "Orchis Shell MOD" 6 install with gnome tweaks (make sure you have user themes enabled... Source: over 3 years ago
  • Who likes my desktop?
    Do you mean the icons on the panel and desktop if so, they are the candy icons with the sweet dark gtk theme you can find those on https://pling.com. Source: over 3 years ago
  • best place to find gnome 43 shell themes?
    I find gnome-look.org aka pling.com really bad for finding gnome shell themes cos you never know if the theme is compatible with your gnome version. Source: almost 4 years ago

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Alternatives to Parse and Pling.com

When comparing Parse and Pling.com, you can also consider the following products.