DreamFactory
DreamFactory is a self-hosted data gateway and enterprise access platform that provides governed API access to data sources.
What DreamFactory is
DreamFactory is a self-hosted data gateway and enterprise access platform that provides governed API access to data sources. It generates documented REST APIs with CRUD operations and query options such as filtering, pagination and sorting. The site lists support for more than 30 databases, including SQL Server, Oracle, Snowflake, MySQL, PostgreSQL, MongoDB and SAP HANA. Role-based controls can govern endpoints, tables, fields, operations and rows; authentication options include OAuth, LDAP, SAML, Active Directory, OpenID, Okta and Auth0. API calls are logged with user identity, with an ELK stack for traffic reporting. Server-side scripts can run before or after endpoints in Node.js, PHP or Python. A built-in MCP server exposes databases, file stores and stored procedures as tools, while a governed LLM gateway can route traffic to named model providers. Deployment options include Linux servers, virtual machines, Docker and Kubernetes, including air-gapped environments. The open-source version has limited features.
Good
- Generates documented REST APIs from data sources
- Supports 30+ databases
- Role-based controls can restrict API access at several levels
- Supports Linux, Docker and Kubernetes deployments
- Free plan includes a PostgreSQL connector
Watch out
- Open-source version has limited features
- Paid Linux Lite plan is $1,500 a month billed annually
- Self-hosted licensing, installation and pricing are discussed with an engineer
Who it suits
The company presents DreamFactory for experienced developers and data architects seeking to speed API development. It may suit teams that need governed access to data sources and self-hosted deployment options.
Verdict
DreamFactory combines API generation, access controls and deployment options for teams working with data sources. The free plan is limited to a PostgreSQL connector, and the listed paid Linux plans begin at $1,500 a month billed annually.
Plans and prices
From DreamFactory's own pricing page, checked 8 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Open Source | Free | PostgreSQL connector |
| DF Linux Lite | $1,500 a month | Single connector of your choice · unlimited roles, keys, API creation, and API requests · billed annually |
| DF Linux Professional | $4,000 a month | All connectors, including Oracle, Snowflake, and DB2 · unlimited connectors, roles, keys, API creation, and API requests · billed annually |
| DF Docker/Kubernetes | $6,000 a month | Pricing per vCPU · starts at 4 vCPU, then $1500 per additional vCPU · all connectors, including Oracle, Snowflake, and DB2 · Billed annually |
| DF Kubernetes | $6,000 a month | Pricing per vCPU · starts at 4 vCPU, then $1500 per additional vCPU · all connectors, including Oracle, Snowflake, and DB2 · Billed annually |
| Federal and Enterprise Docker | Priced on request | Custom pricing · all connectors, including Oracle, Snowflake, and DB2 · full SBOM and CVE scan |
The facts
Each one read from DreamFactory's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Access controls
- Role-based access controls can restrict API endpoints, tables, fields, operations, and rows, with identity passthrough.checked 8 Oct 2026
- API generation
- It generates documented REST APIs from databases and other data sources, with CRUD operations and query options such as filtering, pagination, and sorting.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Auditing
- DreamFactory logs API calls with user identity and provides an ELK stack for reporting on API traffic.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Authentication
- Its authentication options include OAuth, Active Directory, LDAP, OpenID, Okta, Auth0, and SAML.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Connectors
- The site says DreamFactory supports 30+ databases and names SQL Server, Oracle, Snowflake, MySQL, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, and SAP HANA among them.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Deployment
- DreamFactory can run on Linux servers, virtual machines, Docker containers, and Kubernetes, including in air-gapped environments.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- The company describes the platform as built for seasoned developers and data architects seeking to speed API development and reduce development time and costs.checked 8 Oct 2026
- MCP and AI
- Its built-in MCP server exposes databases, file stores, and stored procedures as tools, with OAuth 2.0 authentication and DreamFactory role permissions.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Model integrations
- The governed LLM gateway can route application traffic to Anthropic, OpenAI, Google Gemini, xAI, Ollama, or OpenAI-compatible models.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Product
- DreamFactory is a self-hosted AI data gateway and enterprise data access platform that provides governed API access to data sources.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Scripting
- Server-side scripts can run before or after API endpoints and support Node.js, PHP, and Python.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Security limits
- The features page says the open-source version has limited features and directs users to book a demo for access to all databases, advanced customization, and robust security features.checked 8 Oct 2026
Money
- Trial and support
- The features page describes a limited hosted trial and says licensing, installation, and pricing for the self-hosted software are discussed with an engineer; support packages are listed separately on the pricing page.checked 8 Oct 2026
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