Best Auto-Generated REST API Tools for Databases - 2026

Building REST APIs used to require weeks of manual coding—writing CRUD operations, configuring authentication, and documenting endpoints by hand. In 2025, auto-generation tools create production-ready APIs in minutes by introspecting database schemas and generating secure, documented endpoints automatically. From open-source PostgreSQL specialists to enterprise platforms supporting 20+ database types, these tools eliminate boilerplate backend development while maintaining security and scalability. This guide examines auto-generated REST API tools for databases—starting with DreamFactory's comprehensive API platform that combines instant generation for SQL and NoSQL databases with enterprise-grade security controls at a fraction of custom development costs.

Key Takeaways

• Database support varies dramatically: Enterprise platforms like DreamFactory support 20+ databases, while specialists like PostgREST and PostGraphile focus exclusively on PostgreSQL—choose based on your infrastructure complexity

• Configuration-driven beats code-generated: Tools using declarative configuration automatically reflect schema changes without code modifications, while code-generation tools produce static code requiring manual maintenance

• Self-hosted deployment enables data sovereignty: Platforms offering on-premises, Docker, and Kubernetes deployment address regulated industries, government agencies, and air-gapped environments where cloud-hosted services cannot operate

• Security features determine enterprise readiness: Look for built-in RBAC, OAuth 2.0, SAML, LDAP/Active Directory integration, and automatic SQL injection prevention—not all tools provide equivalent protection

• REST versus GraphQL shapes use cases: REST-first platforms excel at straightforward CRUD operations and legacy system integration, while GraphQL-first tools like Hasura suit real-time applications requiring flexible queries

1. DreamFactory — Enterprise Multi-Database REST API Generation

DreamFactory stands out as the most comprehensive auto-generation platform for organizations managing diverse database infrastructure. The platform instantly creates secure, documented REST APIs for over 20 databases without writing code, enabling production-ready endpoints in minutes rather than weeks.

Key Differentiators:

• Auto-generates REST APIs for MySQL, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, Oracle, SQL Server, Snowflake, and 15+ additional databases

• Built-in enterprise security features

• Server-side scripting via Node.js, PHP, and Python for custom business logic

• Self-hosted deployment (on-premises, Docker, Kubernetes) for data sovereignty

• Instant OpenAPI/Swagger documentation auto-generated for every endpoint

• Configuration-driven architecture—schema changes automatically reflect in APIs

Pricing Structure:

• Open-source core available for PostgreSQL, DynamoDB, Redshift, and SFTP connectors

• Commercial license required for enterprise connectors (MySQL, SQL Server, Oracle, MongoDB, Snowflake)

• Custom enterprise pricing via consultation

DreamFactory's architectural approach sets it apart: rather than generating static code that requires maintenance, the platform uses declarative configuration that automatically updates when database schemas change. This eliminates the redeployment cycles that plague code-generation tools.

The platform maintains a high G2 rating and powers deployments across Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, and global manufacturers.

Best For: Enterprise IT organizations across finance, manufacturing, healthcare, and government requiring multi-database API connectivity, on-premises deployment, and granular security controls. Ideal when you need both SQL and NoSQL support with comprehensive authentication options.

2. Hasura — Real-Time GraphQL API Engine

Hasura has built its reputation as the leading GraphQL-first auto-generation platform, excelling at real-time data applications with live subscriptions. The platform generates instant GraphQL APIs from database schemas with strong performance characteristics.

Core Capabilities:

• Real-time GraphQL subscriptions for dynamic user interfaces

• Natively supports PostgreSQL, SQL Server, and BigQuery databases (plus more via data connectors)

• Role-based permissions and authorization

• Hosted managed service option available

• Event triggers for workflow automation

Pricing Structure:

• Free tier for experimentation and small projects

• Paid plans for multi-database support and advanced features

• Enterprise pricing for custom requirements

Hasura's real-time subscription capabilities make it ideal for SaaS, logistics, and IoT applications requiring live data updates. However, its GraphQL-first approach means teams committed to REST APIs may need additional tooling or workarounds.

Best For: Development teams building modern applications requiring real-time data updates and flexible GraphQL queries. Less suitable for legacy system integration or organizations standardized on REST protocols.

3. Supabase — All-in-One Developer Platform

Supabase positions itself as an open-source Firebase alternative, combining PostgreSQL databases with auto-generated REST and GraphQL APIs, built-in authentication, real-time subscriptions, and file storage in a unified platform.

Standout Features:

• PostgreSQL database with automatic REST/GraphQL API generation

• Built-in authentication, real-time subscriptions, and storage

• Uses PostgREST under the hood for API generation

• Open-source with cloud hosting available

• Instant REST APIs with automatic documentation

Pricing Structure:

• Free tier available for development and small projects

• Paid plans from $25/month for production workloads

• Custom pricing for enterprise requirements

Supabase's all-in-one approach appeals to developers seeking rapid prototyping without stitching together multiple services. The platform emphasizes that you can "build in a weekend, scale to millions."

Best For: Startups and development teams wanting a complete backend platform (database + auth + APIs + storage) with PostgreSQL. Not ideal for organizations needing multi-database support or self-hosted enterprise deployments.

4. PostgREST — Minimalist PostgreSQL REST API

PostgREST takes a fundamentally different approach: a lightweight, single-purpose tool that converts any PostgreSQL database into a RESTful API with exceptional performance. Written in Haskell, the open-source project prioritizes speed and simplicity.

Core Strengths:

• Minimalist tool converting PostgreSQL to RESTful API instantly

• Uses PostgreSQL role-based permissions for API security

• Haskell-based for optimized performance

• Zero manual CRUD programming required

• Database-as-single-source-of-truth philosophy

Pricing:

• Completely free and open-source

• No commercial tier or premium features

Developer testimonials highlight dramatic efficiency gains. Simone Scarduzio reported: "We pulled out a full rewrite of a Spring+MySQL legacy app in 6 months. Literally 10x faster... The old one took 3 years and a team of 4 people to develop." François-Guillaume Ribreau added: "It's so fast to develop, it feels like cheating!"

Best For: Teams standardized on PostgreSQL seeking the fastest, most lightweight REST API generation. Not suitable for multi-database environments or organizations requiring built-in authentication beyond PostgreSQL roles.

5. Directus — Headless CMS with API Generation

Directus occupies a unique position by combining auto-generated APIs with content management capabilities. The platform wraps SQL databases in real-time REST and GraphQL APIs while providing a customizable admin interface for non-technical users.

Unique Capabilities:

• REST and GraphQL support out-of-the-box

• Customizable admin interface included

• Supports PostgreSQL, MySQL/MariaDB, SQLite, MS SQL, and Oracle databases

• Open-source with cloud hosting available

• Decoupled architecture for headless CMS use

Pricing Structure:

• Open-source core available

• Cloud hosting with tiered pricing

• Enterprise options for larger deployments

Directus works well for digital agencies, media, and ecommerce organizations that need both API generation and content management without separate systems.

Best For: Creative teams and digital agencies needing combined API generation and content management. Less suitable for pure API generation use cases or organizations requiring NoSQL database support.

6. PostGraphile — Advanced GraphQL for PostgreSQL

PostGraphile generates high-performance GraphQL APIs specifically for PostgreSQL databases, offering advanced customization through a plugin system. The open-source project targets teams with strict performance requirements.

Key Features:

• High-performance GraphQL API for PostgreSQL

• Extensive plugin system for customization

• PostgreSQL-native design leveraging database features

• Open-source with Pro plugin available

• Optimized for API performance at scale

Pricing:

• Open-source core freely available

• Pro plugin with additional features (paid)

PostGraphile differentiates from Hasura by focusing exclusively on PostgreSQL optimization rather than multi-database breadth, making it ideal for startups and B2B SaaS with strict performance requirements.

Best For: Development teams committed to PostgreSQL and GraphQL wanting maximum customization and performance. Not suitable for REST-focused architectures or multi-database environments.

7. CData API Server — Enterprise Data Source Connectivity

CData API Server addresses organizations with complex, heterogeneous data environments by generating APIs from over 100 data sources—spanning SQL databases, NoSQL systems, and SaaS platforms like Salesforce (consumable from Power BI).

Enterprise Capabilities:

• APIs from 100+ data sources (SQL, NoSQL, SaaS)

• Supports REST and OData protocols

• Built-in authentication, caching, and analytics

• Handles legacy systems and modern cloud platforms

• Enterprise-grade for hybrid environments

Pricing:

• Commercial licensing with custom pricing

• Enterprise agreements for large deployments

CData's breadth makes it compelling for enterprises managing hybrid environments with legacy databases, modern cloud services, and third-party SaaS platforms requiring unified API access

Best For: Large enterprises needing to unify diverse data sources (legacy databases, SaaS platforms, cloud services) under a single API layer. Premium pricing limits accessibility for smaller organizations.

8. AWS AppSync — Managed GraphQL for AWS Ecosystem

AWS AppSync provides serverless GraphQL API creation tightly integrated with AWS services including DynamoDB, Aurora, and Lambda. The fully managed service offers automatic scaling and offline data synchronization for mobile applications.

AWS Integration Features:

• Serverless GraphQL API creation with automatic scaling

• Deep integration with DynamoDB, Aurora, and Lambda

• Offline data sync for mobile applications

• Real-time subscriptions built-in

• AWS IAM security integration

Pricing:

• Pay-per-use pricing model

• Costs scale with API calls and data transfer

• No upfront commitment required

AppSync maintains a 4.3/5 rating on G2 and suits organizations already invested in AWS infrastructure. However, its AWS-only positioning creates vendor lock-in concerns for multi-cloud strategies.

Best For: Organizations fully committed to the AWS ecosystem seeking managed GraphQL services. Not suitable for multi-cloud deployments or teams requiring REST API protocols.

9. Microsoft Data API Builder — Azure-Native API Generation

Microsoft Data API Builder generates REST and GraphQL APIs for Azure SQL/SQL Server, SQLDW, Cosmos DB, PostgreSQL, and MySQL with native Azure Active Directory security integration. The open-source project targets organizations standardized on Microsoft technologies.

Azure Ecosystem Features:

• REST and GraphQL APIs for Azure SQL/SQL Server, SQLDW, Cosmos DB, PostgreSQL, and MySQL

• Azure AD security integration

• Lightweight DevOps integration

• Open-source with Microsoft backing

• Purpose-built for Azure ecosystem

Pricing:

• Open-source and free to use

• Azure infrastructure costs apply for hostin

Data API Builder is ideal for organizations already operating within Azure, though its more Microsoft-centric database support restricts broader applicability.

Best For: Microsoft/Azure-centric organizations needing API generation for Azure databases with AD integration. Not suitable for multi-cloud strategies or non-Azure database infrastructure.

10. DB2Rest — Open-Source Multi-DB REST API (incl. Db2)

DB2Rest targets organizations requiring REST API modernization across multiple databases including IBM Db2. The open-source platform transforms databases into REST APIs with CI/CD pipeline integration.

Niche Capabilities:

• Transforms databases including IBM Db2 into REST APIs

• Supports complex workflows and stored procedures

• CI/CD pipeline integration

• Legacy database modernization focus

• Enterprise ecosystem fit

Pricing:

• Open-source (Apache-2.0)

• Free to use and modify

DB2Rest addresses banking, telecom, and government organizations with substantial database infrastructure that need REST API access without database migration.

Best For: Organizations with diverse database deployments requiring REST API modernization without database migration. Open-source flexibility enables customization for specific use cases.

Why DreamFactory Leads for Enterprise Database API Generation

By Database Complexity

• Single PostgreSQL database: PostgREST or Supabase provide focused, cost-effective solutions

• PostgreSQL with GraphQL: PostGraphile or Hasura deliver specialized capabilities

• Multiple SQL databases: DreamFactory's broad connector support handles MySQL, SQL Server, Oracle, and PostgreSQL from a single platform

• Mixed SQL and NoSQL: DreamFactory uniquely covers both relational and document databases including MongoDB, Cassandra, and DynamoDB

• Cloud data warehouses: DreamFactory's Snowflake connector enables instant API access to analytical data

By Security Requirements

Organizations in regulated industries benefit from DreamFactory's comprehensive security features—RBAC, OAuth 2.0, SAML, LDAP/Active Directory, and automatic SQL injection prevention configured through an admin console rather than custom code.

By Deployment Needs

Self-hosted deployment distinguishes DreamFactory from cloud-only alternatives. Organizations requiring on-premises data control, air-gapped operations, or data sovereignty cannot use cloud-hosted platforms—DreamFactory runs exclusively on customer infrastructure via Docker, Kubernetes, or traditional server deployment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an auto-generated REST API tool for databases?

An auto-generated REST API tool introspects your database schema and automatically creates RESTful endpoints for tables, views, and stored procedures without manual coding. These tools handle CRUD operations, filtering, pagination, and documentation generation, eliminating weeks of boilerplate backend development.

How do configuration-driven API tools differ from code generation?

Configuration-driven tools like DreamFactory generate APIs through declarative settings that automatically update when schemas change. Code-generation tools produce static source code requiring manual updates and redeployment when database structures evolve. Configuration-driven approaches reduce maintenance burden significantly.

Can these tools integrate with both SQL and NoSQL databases?

Most tools specialize in either SQL or NoSQL databases. DreamFactory uniquely supports both—covering relational databases (MySQL, PostgreSQL, Oracle, SQL Server) and document stores (MongoDB, Cassandra, DynamoDB) from a single platform. PostgreSQL-focused tools like PostgREST and Supabase handle only relational data.

Are auto-generated APIs secure for enterprise use?

Security capabilities vary dramatically. Enterprise platforms like DreamFactory include granular RBAC, OAuth 2.0, SAML, LDAP/Active Directory authentication, API key management, and automatic SQL injection prevention. Lightweight tools may rely solely on database-level permissions. Evaluate security requirements against specific platform capabilities before selection.

How can auto-generated API tools help with legacy system modernization?

Auto-generation tools wrap legacy databases in modern REST APIs without replacing existing systems. Organizations can expose legacy data to modern applications, mobile interfaces, and third-party integrations while preserving database investments. DreamFactory customer stories document successful modernization across government agencies, manufacturers, and financial services firms.