About Backstage
Backstage is an open source framework for building an internal developer portal. It brings services, documentation and tools into one place, so engineers can find what they need without searching many systems.
What it does
Backstage keeps a software catalog that lists the services, libraries, websites and data pipelines a company owns, along with who owns each one. Teams can see their resources in one overview. Plugins can add more information, such as deployment status or pull request status, and software templates help new projects start with standard setup.
Key features
- Software catalog of services and components
- Ownership and dependency details for each item
- Plugin system for adding tools into the portal
- Templates that create new projects with standard setup
- Shows deployments and pull request status per service
Who it's for
Platform engineering teams that support many product teams. It also suits larger companies that want consistent standards without slowing developers down. Small teams may find the setup effort more than they need.
Pricing and good to know
Backstage is licensed under Apache 2.0 and you run it yourself, so it is free to use apart from your own hosting and engineering time. Setup and upkeep take real effort, and teams usually build or add their own plugins. The project publishes its releases, plugins and documentation on its website.
Highlights
- Catalog of all services and their owners
- Plugins that add tools into one portal
- Templates for new projects with standard setup
- Searchable view of services and resources
- Shows deployments and pull request status per service
