Encore

What it is for

Encore is a backend-as-code desk: you declare a service and a database in TypeScript or Go, the Cloud API Explorer runs a request next to a trace, and Starter is $0 (email only, 2 Encore Cloud envs, 1M traces). Use it when the job is a backend you start at $0, not when you need a $20 chat seat.

What makes it unique: the cover is the official Encore API Explorer (POST /url1, Call API, traces rail) from the TypeScript quick start — not a pricing card. The Explorer itself is ops of Services.

Key features

• Services — a process you declare in code (system diagram; pricing resources). One API. The cover Explorer is ops. Preview environments are how this ships on Pro. The CLI is install.
• Databases — a SQL you attach in the same program (DB Explorer still). A table, not a service. Counted as a resource on Pro ($2.50/resource/env/month).
• Pub/Sub — a topic and subscription you declare (pricing Pub/Sub topics & subscriptions). A message, not a row. Each topic / subscription is its own resource.
• Traces — a request timeline (spans, logs) next to the Explorer (trace still; pricing tracing). An event, not a service. Starter is 1M/month, 7-day retention. Pro is 20M/month, 30-day, then $1.20/1M.
• Own-cloud deploy — provision the same app onto your AWS/GCP (pricing Deploy to your own AWS & GCP). A target, not a service. Pro is $99/AWS-GCP environment/month. The AWS/GCP bill is theirs, not Encore’s.

Members and environments are the Pro meters. Secrets / cron / caches / buckets are more resources, not extra desks. Languages (TS / Go / Python / Rust) are options on Services.

Who it's for

Best fit: backend teams who will stay on Starter $0 (2 Encore Cloud envs, 1M traces, Discord) while they Call API on a first urlshortener, then start the 14-day Pro trial and land on $49/member + $99/env + $2.50/resource when they need AWS/GCP and preview environments.

Pricing

Verified 2026-10-22 (Asia/Shanghai) from encore.dev/pricing. Starter is $0. Pro is a platform fee; AWS/GCP usage is billed by the provider.

• Starter — $0. Email only. Local development with automated infra (no Terraform/YAML). 2 free Encore Cloud dev environments. 1M tracing events/month, 7-day retention. CI/CD and automated testing. Discord community support.
• Pro — $49/member/month + $99/AWS/GCP environment/month + $2.50/resource/environment/month. Hourly meters also print: env $0.136/hour, resource $0.0034/hour. 14-day free trial, cancel anytime. Unlimited Encore Cloud envs (Encore Cloud envs stay $0). Preview environments per PR. 20M traces/month, 30-day retention, then $1.20/1M. Custom domains and WAF. Email support and 14-day private onboarding. Deploy to your own AWS & GCP (you pay AWS/GCP).
• Enterprise — custom. Self-hosted previews, custom network/RBAC, CI/CD customization, SOC 2 help, TAM / private Slack, uptime SLAs. Confirm the live quote — do not invent an Enterprise dollar.

The page’s example: 3 members × $49 + 1 env × $99 + 10 resources × $2.50 = $271/month platform fee + AWS/GCP. Confirm checkout; taxes follow your location.

Limitations / costs

• Starter is 2 Encore Cloud envs and 1M traces. Own-cloud deploy and preview envs are Pro.
• $49 is per member and $99 is per AWS/GCP environment. A second region is another $99, plus $2.50 per resource in that env.
• A backend desk, not a generic container canvas. For usage-metered containers see Railway. For a self-host PaaS see Coolify.

Alternatives

• Railway — a GitHub-to-canvas PaaS when you will not declare Encore resources in code.
• Coolify — a self-hosted PaaS when you do not want Encore’s $49 + $99 platform fee.
• Trigger.dev — background jobs when the job is a run, not a service catalog.

Official tutorial

Official Encore channel video: Encore - Automated infrastructure for humans and agents (oEmbed author: Encore). First-party product walkthrough; the TypeScript quick-start API Explorer still is the cover.

Written path: encore.dev/pricing plus the TypeScript quick start.

Website

https://encore.dev

Repository

https://github.com/encoredev/encore

Source

Catalog row curated for AI Tools Nav. Cover is the official Encore API Explorer from the TypeScript quick start. Dollars checked on encore.dev/pricing (Starter $0; Pro $49/member + $99/env + $2.50/resource; traces $1.20/1M after 20M). Tutorial oEmbed author: Encore.

Last verified

2026-10-22 (Asia/Shanghai) editorial check.