Parse Server is an open source backend as a service (BaaS) framework that allows developers to use the Parse API with their own infrastructure. It was created by Parse to allow developers to continue using the Parse API and migrating apps from Parse after it shuts down. Parse Server allows for more flexibility than Parse.com by allowing hosting anywhere, local development/testing, no preset query limits, custom databases/indexes, live queries, and functionality like Push Notifications, Pointer Permissions, and Config that have been added. Developers can get started by following Parse's migration guide and using Parse Server is expected to continue improving over time as an open source project.