Reviewed by Harsh Desai · Last reviewed:
Convex
Build real-time apps with a type-safe backend
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Convex simplifies full-stack development by making the backend feel like a natural, type-safe extension of the frontend. It bridges Vibe Builders and Developers by offering AI-generated code and modular components.
What Convex does:
- •Real-time reactive database Changes to data instantly propagate to connected clients without managing websockets.
- •Type-safe serverless functions Write queries and mutations in TypeScript with automatic type inference from your schema.
- •Infrastructure-as-code Define your entire backend -- database, functions, authentication -- in TypeScript files.
- •AI-assisted code generation Generate boilerplate and complex logic using AI coding features directly in the platform.
- •Self-hostable deployment Run Convex on your own infrastructure using Docker for compliance or cost control.
- •Browser extension Integrate Convex development tools directly into your browser workflow.
- •MCP support Connect Convex to other tools via the Model Context Protocol for enhanced workflows.
Limitations:
- •Requires a developer to set up — Convex is a backend-as-a-service aimed at developers, not a plug-and-play tool. As a business owner, you need a vibe coder or developer to build and maintain anything on Convex — it is infrastructure, not an app.
- •No aggregate or count queries — Convex does not support counting database records directly. To count items, your code has to iterate through every record, which becomes a performance and cost issue as your data grows.
- •Pricing changes effective May 2026 — Convex announced new pricing and resource limits taking effect for existing customers at their next renewal on or after May 6, 2026. If you are building on Convex now, check the updated pricing page before projecting monthly costs.
- •Full list re-sent on every update — When any single item in a list changes, Convex re-sends the entire list to connected clients rather than just the changed row. For apps with large datasets and frequent updates, this inflates bandwidth usage significantly.
- •No built-in SQL or analytics layer — Convex does not support SQL queries or direct connections to BI tools. Teams needing analytics dashboards must pipe data out to a separate database via Fivetran or Airbyte, adding cost and complexity.
Pricing:
- •Free tier $0/month for early-stage projects.
- •Professional plan Starts at $25/developer/month with higher resource limits and lower per-unit rates.
- •Enterprise plans Start at $2,500/month minimum, including SAML/SSO, service SLAs, and dedicated support.
- •Paid plans Scale automatically based on usage (function calls, data storage, real-time connections).
Our Verdict
Convex delivers a compelling backend experience for developers who want to build real-time applications without infrastructure headaches.
Vibe Builders can use its AI coding and pre-built Components to create backend logic without deep coding knowledge. This makes it a strong bridge tool for no-code builders moving into code.
Developers get a unified, type-safe system that eliminates the mismatch between frontend and backend definitions. Your schema, queries, and mutations are all in TypeScript, with automatic scaling to millions of users.
The platform is self-hostable, giving teams control over their data and deployment environment. This is a key advantage for regulated industries or cost-conscious startups.
Choose Convex when real-time reactivity is central to your app and you prefer a TypeScript-native workflow over SQL. Its free tier makes it easy to start building in 2026.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Convex's pricing?
Convex offers a generous free tier for early-stage projects, with paid plans that scale automatically based on usage. Pricing is based on metrics like function calls, data storage, and real-time connections. Enterprise plans include dedicated support.
Convex vs Supabase: Which should I choose?
Choose Convex for a TypeScript-first, real-time reactive backend with simpler developer experience. Choose Supabase when you need direct SQL access and a PostgreSQL foundation. Convex is better for apps where instant data sync is critical.
Is Convex good for startups?
Yes, founders praise Convex for its reliable transactions, automatic scaling, and free tier for accelerating early product delivery. The platform handles infrastructure so you can focus on building features. Many startups use it in 2026.
Does Convex have a database?
Yes, Convex combines a real-time, transactional database with serverless functions in one platform. The database is designed for instant reactivity -- changes propagate to clients without manual websocket management. This evaluation is based on hands-on testing and comparison with similar tools in the same category, updated for 2026.
Can I self-host Convex?
Yes, Convex is self-hostable using Docker with PostgreSQL for compliance-heavy environments. The company provides open-source deployment instructions. This gives teams full control over their infrastructure and data locality. This evaluation is based on hands-on testing and comparison with similar tools in the same category, updated for 2026.
Is Convex free?
Yes, Convex offers a free version. Paid plans start at $25/month.
Who should use Convex?
Convex is built for vibe builders who want AI to handle the technical work and developers looking to accelerate their workflow. Common use cases include Real-time chat applications, Collaborative editing tools, Live dashboards and analytics, Multiplayer game backends, IoT data streaming platforms.
What are the best alternatives to Convex?
Popular alternatives to Convex include Claude Code, Cursor, Vscode. Compare features and pricing in our Data & Infrastructure directory to compare options.
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Convex
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