Upstash vs Convex
Upstash is Serverless Redis, Kafka, and QStash with per-request pricing for edge and serverless, while Convex is reactive backend-as-a-service with real-time sync, scheduled functions, and file storage. Upstash is built for serverless developers wanting redis and kafka at the edge, whereas Convex targets full-stack developers wanting a reactive backend.
At a glance
|
Upstash
|
Convex
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Serverless developers wanting Redis and Kafka at the edge | Full-stack developers wanting a reactive backend |
| Starting price | Free | Free |
| Free tier | ✓ | ✓ |
| Open source | — | — |
| Free tier available | ✓ | ✓ |
| Open source | — | — |
| Edge | ✓ | — |
| File Storage | — | ✓ |
| Kafka | ✓ | — |
| QStash | ✓ | — |
| Real-Time Sync | — | ✓ |
| Scheduling | — | ✓ |
| Server Functions | — | ✓ |
| Serverless Redis | ✓ | — |
Upstash
Strengths
- Includes Serverless Redis as a core feature, purpose-built for database workflows
- Includes Kafka as a core feature, purpose-built for database workflows
- Free 10K commands/day — generous enough for most small teams to get real work done
- Includes qstash 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
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
The bottom line
Pricing: Both tools offer free tiers, so you can test each before committing. Upstash's free plan: Free 10K commands/day. Convex's free plan: Free for small projects.
Feature gaps: Upstash offers Edge, Kafka and QStash that Convex lacks. Convex brings File Storage, Real-Time Sync and Scheduling that Upstash does not have.
Team fit: Both tools target small teams teams, so the decision hinges on features and workflow fit rather than scale.
Where each tool shines: Upstash's biggest strengths are: includes serverless redis as a core feature, purpose-built for database workflows. includes kafka 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 Upstash, 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 Upstash if...
- You need a tool built for serverless developers wanting redis and kafka at the edge
- You specifically need Edge and Kafka
- You care about includes kafka as a core feature, purpose-built for database workflows
- The free tier works for you: free 10k commands/day
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
Looking for more options?
Related comparisons
vs
vs
vs
vs
vs
vs
Stay sharp
price changes, and honest takes — weekly.