What is the difference between Turso and Convex?

Turso is best for Developers wanting SQLite at the edge, while Convex is best for Full-stack developers wanting a reactive backend. Turso starts at Free and Convex starts at Free.

Is Turso or Convex cheaper?

Turso starts at Free with a free tier. Convex starts at Free with a free tier.

Is there a free alternative to Convex?

Both Turso and Convex offer free tiers.

Turso vs Convex

Turso is edge-hosted distributed database built on libSQL (SQLite fork) for ultra-low latency reads, while Convex is reactive backend-as-a-service with real-time sync, scheduled functions, and file storage. Turso is open source and can be self-hosted, giving you full control over your data. Turso is built for developers wanting sqlite at the edge, whereas Convex targets full-stack developers wanting a reactive backend.

At a glance

	Turso	Convex
Best for	Developers wanting SQLite at the edge	Full-stack developers wanting a reactive backend
Starting price	Free	Free
Free tier	✓	✓
Open source	✓	—
Free tier available	✓	✓
Open source	✓	—
Branching	✓	—
Edge SQLite	✓	—
Embedded Replicas	✓	—
File Storage	—	✓
Multi-Region	✓	—
Real-Time Sync	—	✓
Scheduling	—	✓
Server Functions	—	✓

Turso

Strengths

Open source and transparent
Includes Edge SQLite as a core feature, purpose-built for database workflows
Fully open-source — you can self-host, audit the code, and avoid vendor lock-in
Free 9 GB total storage — generous enough for most small teams to get real work done

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
Community support can be slower than the dedicated support teams at commercial alternatives

Try Turso → 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. Turso's free plan: Free 9 GB total storage. Convex's free plan: Free for small projects.

Feature gaps: Turso offers Branching, Edge SQLite and Embedded Replicas that Convex lacks. Convex brings File Storage, Real-Time Sync and Scheduling that Turso does not have.

Team fit: Both tools target small teams teams, so the decision hinges on features and workflow fit rather than scale.

Open source: Turso 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: Turso's biggest strengths are: open source and transparent. includes edge sqlite as a core feature, purpose-built for database workflows. 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 Turso, users commonly note that free plan exists but key features are locked behind the paid upgrade. With Convex, the main complaint is that free plan exists but key features are locked behind the paid upgrade.

Choose Turso if...

Your profile matches its sweet spot: developers wanting sqlite at the edge
You need self-hosting, data sovereignty, or the ability to audit source code
You specifically need Branching and Edge SQLite
You care about includes edge sqlite as a core feature, purpose-built for database workflows
The free tier works for you: free 9 gb total storage

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
The free tier works for you: free for small projects