At a glance

Xata Convex
Best for Developers wanting a serverless database with search built-in Full-stack developers wanting a reactive backend
Starting price Free Free
Free tier
Open source
Free tier available
Open source
Analytics
Branching
File Attachments
File Storage
Full-Text Search
Real-Time Sync
Scheduling
Server Functions

Xata

Strengths

  • Includes Full-Text Search as a core feature, purpose-built for database workflows
  • Built-in analytics show open rates, click rates, and conversion data in real time
  • Free 15 GB — generous enough for most small teams to get real work done
  • Includes branching 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. Xata's free plan: Free 15 GB. Convex's free plan: Free for small projects.

Feature gaps: Xata offers Analytics, Branching and File Attachments that Convex lacks. Convex brings File Storage, Real-Time Sync and Scheduling that Xata 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: Xata's biggest strengths are: includes full-text search as a core feature, purpose-built for database workflows. built-in analytics show open rates, click rates, and conversion data in real time. 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 Xata, 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 Xata if...

  • Your profile matches its sweet spot: developers wanting a serverless database with search built-in
  • You specifically need Analytics and Branching
  • You care about built-in analytics show open rates, click rates, and conversion data in real time
  • The free tier works for you: free 15 gb

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

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