What is the difference between Firebase and Convex?

Firebase is best for Mobile and web apps that need realtime sync and fast prototyping, while Convex is best for Full-stack developers wanting a reactive backend. Firebase starts at Pay as you go and Convex starts at Free.

Is Firebase or Convex cheaper?

Firebase starts at Pay as you go with a free tier. Convex starts at Free with a free tier.

Is there a free alternative to Convex?

Both Firebase and Convex offer free tiers.

Firebase vs Convex

Firebase is google's app development platform providing a realtime database, authentication, hosting, and cloud functions, while Convex is reactive backend-as-a-service with real-time sync, scheduled functions, and file storage. Firebase is built for mobile and web apps that need realtime sync and fast prototyping, whereas Convex targets full-stack developers wanting a reactive backend.

At a glance

	Firebase	Convex
Best for	Mobile and web apps that need realtime sync and fast prototyping	Full-stack developers wanting a reactive backend
Starting price	Pay as you go	Free
Free tier	✓	✓
Open source	—	—
Free tier available	✓	✓
Open source	—	—
Analytics	✓	—
Auth	✓	—
Cloud Functions	✓	—
File Storage	—	✓
Firestore	✓	—
Hosting	✓	—
Real-Time Sync	—	✓
Scheduling	—	✓
Server Functions	—	✓

Firebase

Strengths

Realtime data sync works brilliantly for mobile apps
Comprehensive platform covering auth, storage, hosting, and more
Excellent documentation and large community
Free tier is generous for prototyping and small apps

Weaknesses

Proprietary NoSQL queries are limiting compared to SQL
Costs can spike unpredictably with traffic growth
Strong vendor lock-in to Google Cloud ecosystem
Complex data modeling without relational joins

Try Firebase → Full review

Convex

Strengths

Includes Real-Time Sync as a core feature, purpose-built for database workflows
Includes Server Functions as a core feature, purpose-built for database workflows
Free for small projects — generous enough for most small teams to get real work done
Includes file storage alongside the core feature set — fewer separate tools needed

Weaknesses

Free plan exists but key features are locked behind the paid upgrade
Fewer built-in features means you may need additional tools to cover gaps
Ecosystem of third-party integrations is smaller than the market leaders in database
Limited team/admin features if your organization eventually scales up

Try Convex → Full review

The bottom line

Pricing: Both tools offer free tiers, so you can test each before committing. Firebase's free plan: Free Spark plan with generous limits. Convex's free plan: Free for small projects.

Feature gaps: Firebase offers Analytics, Auth and Cloud Functions that Convex lacks. Convex brings File Storage, Real-Time Sync and Scheduling that Firebase does not have.

Team fit: Firebase is geared toward any size teams, while Convex is aimed at small teams teams. Pick the one that matches where your team is today and where it is headed — migrating tools later is always painful.

Where each tool shines: Firebase's biggest strengths are: realtime data sync works brilliantly for mobile apps. comprehensive platform covering auth, storage, hosting, and more. Convex's biggest strengths are: includes real-time sync as a core feature, purpose-built for database workflows. includes server functions as a core feature, purpose-built for database workflows.

Watch out for: With Firebase, users commonly note that proprietary nosql queries are limiting compared to sql. With Convex, the main complaint is that free plan exists but key features are locked behind the paid upgrade.

Choose Firebase if...

You need a tool built for mobile and web apps that need realtime sync and fast prototyping
You specifically need Analytics and Auth
You care about comprehensive platform covering auth, storage, hosting, and more
Your team size fits the any size profile Firebase is designed for
The free tier works for you: free spark plan with generous limits

Choose Convex if...

You need a tool built for full-stack developers wanting a reactive backend
You specifically need File Storage and Real-Time Sync
You care about includes server functions as a core feature, purpose-built for database workflows
Your team size fits the small teams profile Convex is designed for
The free tier works for you: free for small projects