What is the difference between Supabase and Convex?

Supabase is best for Developers who want a full backend with Postgres at the core, while Convex is best for Full-stack developers wanting a reactive backend. Supabase starts at $25/mo and Convex starts at Free.

Is Supabase or Convex cheaper?

Supabase starts at $25/mo with a free tier. Convex starts at Free with a free tier.

Is there a free alternative to Convex?

Both Supabase and Convex offer free tiers.

Supabase vs Convex

Supabase is Open-source Firebase alternative providing a Postgres database, authentication, storage, and edge functions, while Convex is reactive backend-as-a-service with real-time sync, scheduled functions, and file storage. The biggest difference up front: Convex is free, while Supabase starts at $25/mo. Supabase is built for developers who want a full backend with postgres at the core, whereas Convex targets full-stack developers wanting a reactive backend.

At a glance

	Supabase	Convex
Best for	Developers who want a full backend with Postgres at the core	Full-stack developers wanting a reactive backend
Starting price	$25/mo	Free
Free tier	✓	✓
Open source	✓	—
Free tier available	✓	✓
Open source	✓	—
Auth	✓	—
Edge Functions	✓	—
File Storage	—	✓
Postgres	✓	—
Real-Time Sync	—	✓
Realtime	✓	—
Scheduling	—	✓
Server Functions	—	✓
Storage	✓	—

Supabase

Strengths

Full Postgres database with SQL access and extensions
Open source with self-hosting option for full control
Built-in auth, storage, and realtime subscriptions
Generous free tier for prototyping and small projects

Weaknesses

Free tier pauses inactive projects after one week
Edge functions are still maturing compared to alternatives
Connection pooling can be tricky at scale
Dashboard can feel overwhelming with many features

Try Supabase → 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: Convex is completely free (Free for small projects), which makes it the obvious pick if budget is the top concern. Supabase starts at $25/mo, but Free for 2 projects, pauses after inactivity. That cost buys you a more polished or feature-rich experience, so it comes down to whether the extras justify the spend.

Feature gaps: Supabase offers Auth, Edge Functions and Postgres that Convex lacks. Convex brings File Storage, Real-Time Sync and Scheduling that Supabase does not have.

Team fit: Supabase 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.

Open source: Supabase is open source, meaning you can self-host, audit the code, and avoid vendor lock-in. Convex is proprietary — you are trusting the vendor with your data and uptime.

Where each tool shines: Supabase's biggest strengths are: full postgres database with sql access and extensions. open source with self-hosting option for full control. 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 Supabase, users commonly note that free tier pauses inactive projects after one week. With Convex, the main complaint is that free plan exists but key features are locked behind the paid upgrade.

Choose Supabase if...

Your profile matches its sweet spot: developers who want a full backend with postgres at the core
You need self-hosting, data sovereignty, or the ability to audit source code
You specifically need Auth and Edge Functions
You care about open source with self-hosting option for full control
Your team size fits the any size profile Supabase is designed for

Choose Convex if...

You need a tool built for full-stack developers wanting a reactive backend
Budget is a hard constraint — Convex is free, Supabase is not
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