7 alternatives · Database & Backend
Best alternatives to Convex in 2026
Convex is a reactive backend-as-a-service built for TypeScript developers. Your database schema, server functions (queries and mutations), and real-time subscriptions are all defined in TypeScript and automatically exposed to your frontend. When data changes in the database, all subscribed clients update instantly with no manual cache invalidation or state management. It is a fundamentally different programming model compared to traditional REST APIs.
What is Convex?
Why look for Convex alternatives?
Convex is a highly opinionated platform that requires adopting its specific patterns for queries, mutations, and schema definition. Teams with existing backends or specific database requirements may find the constraints limiting. Its ecosystem is smaller and less mature than Supabase or Firebase.
7 alternatives to Convex
The open-source Firebase alternative.
Supabase is an open-source backend platform providing a Postgres database, authentication, real-time subscriptions, storage, and edge functions. It is the most popular Firebase alternative among developers who want SQL over NoSQL.
Google's app development platform.
Firebase is Google's Backend-as-a-Service platform providing Firestore (NoSQL database), Authentication, Hosting, Cloud Functions, Storage, and Cloud Messaging. It is the most widely used BaaS for mobile and web application development.
The MySQL-compatible serverless database platform.
PlanetScale is a serverless MySQL-compatible database platform with a branching workflow (like Git for databases), non-blocking schema changes, and automatic horizontal sharding. It is designed for teams that need production MySQL at scale without DBA overhead.
Serverless Postgres. Scale to zero, branch your data.
Neon is a serverless Postgres platform with database branching, autoscaling, and scale-to-zero for cost efficiency. It is designed for modern development workflows and is particularly well-suited for preview environments and serverless applications.
The developer data platform for intelligent applications.
MongoDB Atlas is the fully managed cloud version of MongoDB, the world's most popular NoSQL database. It offers global clusters, automated backups, Atlas Search (full-text search), Atlas Vector Search, and a serverless tier for variable workloads.
SQLite for Production. Edge-native database.
Turso is an edge-native database built on libSQL (a fork of SQLite), designed to run close to users with embedded replicas and multi-tenancy at scale. It is ideal for applications with many small databases and edge-deployed workloads.
Your backend, minus the hassle.
Appwrite is an open-source backend server providing authentication, databases, file storage, cloud functions, and real-time APIs. It is self-hostable, giving teams complete control over their data, and provides SDKs for web, mobile, and server environments.
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Frequently asked
Is Convex free?
Convex has a free tier with 1GB database storage, 50GB file storage, 1 million function calls per month, and unlimited real-time connections. Paid plans start at $25 per month for higher limits.
What makes Convex different from Supabase?
Convex is designed around a reactive programming model where your frontend automatically subscribes to data and updates in real time. Supabase requires you to manage subscriptions and API calls manually. Convex is more opinionated but eliminates a lot of boilerplate for real-time applications.
Does Convex use SQL?
No. Convex uses its own query language defined in TypeScript functions. There is no SQL. You define queries using Convex's functional API, which is type-safe but different from SQL. Teams that prefer SQL should use Supabase or Neon.
Is Convex good for production?
Yes. Convex is used in production by many startups and is backed by significant venture investment. Its managed infrastructure handles scaling, backups, and reliability automatically. The main risk is vendor lock-in given its unique programming model.
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