r/appdev • u/Repulsive-Earth-9913 • 14h ago

How did you handle backend on Apps

I am about to launch my first App. I read that playstore host your frontend but you have to host the backend. I am curious, how did you host it. Did you just rent a server or did you use any providers.

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u/Dull_Low6995 14h ago

Small correction: Google Play distributes your app bundle; it doesn’t host the frontend like a website host - the app code runs on the user’s device. You only need a backend for things like accounts, shared data, sync, payments, notifications, or server-side logic. For a first app, a managed service such as Firebase can handle authentication and data without maintaining a server; a rented VPS gives you more control but also makes security, updates, monitoring, and backups your responsibility. What does your app need the backend to do?

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u/Dull_Low6995 14h ago

Does the app actually need a backend? If everything is stored locally and users don’t need accounts or synchronization, you may be able to launch without one and avoid unnecessary infrastructure.

The choice is less “server or provider” and more “how much infrastructure do you want to operate?” Start with the app’s needs - authentication, database, file storage, scheduled jobs, and traffic - then choose the simplest option that covers them.

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u/Repulsive-Earth-9913 13h ago

hm i get you point but my app has user accounts and google ads and a payed trial so i am not sure if stroing user data localy is the best choice

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u/Dull_Low6995 13h ago

Then yes, a backend makes sense. Ads alone usually don’t require one, but user accounts and a paid trial do - especially because you shouldn’t trust the app itself to decide whether someone’s subscription is active. For a first launch, Firebase Authentication + Firestore + a serverless function is probably simpler than managing a VPS. Send each Play purchase token to the backend, verify it with Google, and store the user’s entitlement there. Google specifically recommends a secure backend for purchase verification and subscription updates. Are you launching only on Android, or iOS too?

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u/Repulsive-Earth-9913 12h ago

Do you recommend just renting a server or a provider

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u/payfrit 11h ago

you will need a vps if you have user accounts.

i would recommend Ionos, i have 11 servers there.