Alternatives to Convex
Reactive backend with a TypeScript database and functions
Convex ranks #4 of 10 in Backend-as-a-service, with an Alt Score of 89. It is licensed under FSL-1.1-Apache-2.0, freemium from $25/developer/month and available on Web and Linux. 12 of 12 checklist rows are verified against a public source.
Convex is a reactive backend-as-a-service where the database, server functions, and realtime subscriptions are written in TypeScript, giving apps live-updating queries, transactional writes, file storage, and scheduled/serverless functions.
TypeScript/JavaScript developers building fullstack web and mobile apps (Next.js, React, React Native, Expo, etc.) who want a backend without hand-rolling a database, API layer, and realtime sync.
A reactive database with schema-optional documents, TypeScript queries/mutations/actions that double as your API, file storage, scheduling/cron, vector search, and built-in or third-party auth, all deployed from your codebase.
You write queries, mutations, and actions in TypeScript inside a convex/ folder; Convex generates a typed client API and automatically keeps query results live via WebSocket subscriptions, so UI re-renders whenever the underlying data changes. The backend is open source (FSL-1.1-Apache-2.0) and can be self-hosted or run on Convex's managed cloud.
Why people leave Convex
Dashed reasons are sourced facts; the rest are opinions. Vendors can dispute.
Sign in to add a reason — new reasons go through moderation before appearing.
Ranked alternatives
Ordered by Alt Score. Click any score to see the breakdown.
Supabase is an open-source backend-as-a-service built on PostgreSQL, providing a managed database, authentication, file storage, realtime subscriptions, edge functions, auto-generated APIs, and vector.
Appwrite is an open-source backend-as-a-service that bundles a database, authentication, file storage, realtime, serverless functions, and messaging behind REST/GraphQL APIs and client SDKs, available.
AWS Amplify is Amazon's backend-as-a-service toolkit for web and mobile apps, providing managed authentication (Cognito), auto-generated GraphQL/REST APIs (AppSync), a database (DynamoDB), file storag.
InstantDB is an open-source backend-as-a-service focused on realtime, relational client-side queries: every query is multiplayer by default, with built-in authentication (magic codes, OAuth, guest aut.
Back4app is a backend-as-a-service platform built on top of the open-source Parse Server framework, offering a managed MongoDB (and NoSQL) database, auto-generated REST/GraphQL APIs, built-in authenti.
Firebase is Google's app-development platform offering a backend-as-a-service: the Firestore and Realtime Database, Authentication, Cloud Storage, Cloud Functions, hosting, and client SDKs for web, iO.
Parse Platform (Parse Server) is a fully open-source Node.js backend-as-a-service framework, originally built by Parse Inc.
Xano is a no-code/visual backend-as-a-service platform that gives teams a managed Postgres database, auto-generated and customizable REST/Swagger APIs, built-in authentication, file storage, and a vis.
PocketBase is an open-source backend-as-a-service packaged as a single Go executable, bundling an embedded SQLite database, authentication, file storage, realtime subscriptions, and an admin dashboard.
Feature comparison
Rows come from the Backend-as-a-service checklist (16 rows). Human-verified cells only. ? means the value has not been verified.
| Backend-as-a-service checklist | Convex | Supabase | Appwrite | AWS Amplify | InstantDB | Back4app |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | ||||||
| Starts at | ||||||
| License | ||||||
| Platforms | ||||||
| Managed database | ||||||
| Auth built in | ||||||
| File / object storage | ||||||
| Realtime subscriptions | ||||||
| Serverless / edge functions | ||||||
| Auto-generated APIs | ||||||
| Self-hostable | ||||||
| Open source | ||||||
| Client SDKs | ||||||
| Row-level security | ||||||
| Vector / AI support | ||||||
| Free tier |
Every fact and feature listed for Convex is verified against its own pages. Each alternative is sourced on its own page.
-
License FSL-1.1-Apache-2.0 verified 2026-07-13
Functional Source License, Version 1.1, Apache 2.0 Future License ## Abbreviation FSL-1.1-Apache-2.0
https://github.com/get-convex/convex-backend/blob/main/LICENSE.md -
Pricing model Freemium verified 2026-07-13
Free tier + paid Professional ($25/dev/mo) and Business & Enterprise tiers; backend itself is also open source and self-hostable (OSS + paid hosting also applies).
Free & Starter For personal projects and prototypes Free or $0/month and pay as you go
https://www.convex.dev/pricing -
Starts at $25/developer/month verified 2026-07-13
Professional For startups moving from prototype to production $25 per developer/month
https://www.convex.dev/pricing -
Platforms Web, Linux verified 2026-07-13
Cloud dashboard/app is web-based (Web); open-source backend can be self-hosted on your own Linux servers. Client SDKs additionally target React/React Native/iOS/Android/etc, but platform claim here is
If you're excited about self-hosting, you can run the Convex backend on your own servers.
https://docs.convex.dev/self-hosting -
Status active verified 2026-07-13
Actively developed/marketed product with current pricing, docs, and 2026 copyright notice on convex.dev.
Get your app up and running in minutes
https://www.convex.dev/pricing -
Managed database Yes verified 2026-07-13
The Convex database provides a relational data model, stores JSON-like documents, and can be used with or without a schema.
https://docs.convex.dev/database -
Auth built in Partial verified 2026-07-13
Built-in Convex Auth library exists but is in beta and more commonly paired with third-party providers (Clerk, WorkOS AuthKit, Auth0) per the same page.
For client-side React and React Native mobile apps you can implement auth directly in Convex with the Convex Auth library. ... Convex Auth is currently a beta feature.
https://docs.convex.dev/auth -
File / object storage Yes verified 2026-07-13
File Storage makes it easy to implement file upload in your app, store files from and send files to third-party APIs, and to serve dynamic files to your users.
https://docs.convex.dev/file-storage -
Realtime subscriptions Yes verified 2026-07-13
Turns out Convex is automatically realtime! ... Convex tracks the dependencies to your query functions, including database changes, and triggers the subscription in the client libraries.
https://docs.convex.dev/realtime -
Serverless / edge functions Yes verified 2026-07-13
Functions run on the backend and are written in JavaScript (or TypeScript). They are automatically available as APIs accessed through client libraries.
https://docs.convex.dev/functions -
Auto-generated APIs Yes verified 2026-07-13
Generated typed client API (api.js/api.d.ts) from your functions/schema via `npx convex dev`, not a REST-from-tables generator.
Convex uses code generation to create code that is specific to your app's data model and API.
https://docs.convex.dev/generated-api -
Self-hostable Yes verified 2026-07-13
Self-hosted Convex runs the open-source backend, and contains the same fully up-to-date code the cloud service uses.
https://docs.convex.dev/self-hosting -
Open source Yes verified 2026-07-13
The Convex backend, client libraries, dashboard, and CLI are all open-source.
https://docs.convex.dev/self-hosting -
Client SDKs Yes verified 2026-07-13
llms.txt lists additional quickstarts for Next.js, Remix, TanStack Start, React Native, Vue, Svelte, Node.js, Bun, Python, Android Kotlin, iOS Swift, Rust.
Convex React is the client library enabling your React application to interact with your Convex backend.
https://docs.convex.dev/client/react -
Row-level security No verified 2026-07-13
Access control is enforced in application code inside functions, not via SQL row-level security policies.
Convex doesn't need an opinionated authorization framework like RLS, which is required in client oriented databases like Firebase or Supabase.
https://docs.convex.dev/auth -
Vector / AI support Yes verified 2026-07-13
Vector search allows you to find Convex documents similar to a provided vector. ... Embeddings and vector search enable you to provide useful context to LLMs for AI powered applications.
https://docs.convex.dev/search/vector-search -
Free tier Yes verified 2026-07-13
Free & Starter For personal projects and prototypes Free or $0/month and pay as you go
https://www.convex.dev/pricing
FAQ
Yes. InstantDB, Back4app and Firebase have a free tier or are fully free. Free-tier limits in the comparison table are verified and dated.
Supabase, Appwrite and AWS Amplify — every license claim links its source.