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It's a split decision.
Choose Convex for a TypeScript backend where reactive data, functions, workflows and sync are designed to work together. Choose Supabase if you want a portable Postgres database, REST APIs, built-in Auth and the option to self-host. Both have free tiers and paid plans starting at $25 per month, but their bills grow differently: Convex charges by developer and usage, while Supabase pricing adds project, compute and usage costs.
01Side by side
| Convex | Supabase | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Per developer plus usage overages | Per project plus compute and usage |
| Free tier | 1–6 developers; 1M function calls included | 50,000 MAUs; 500 MB database per project |
| Open source and licence | Open-source status and licence not published | Open source; check component licence terms |
| Self-hosting | Self-hosting option not published | Self-hostable |
| API and SDKs | TypeScript backend functions and reactive database | REST APIs; JavaScript client SDK |
| CLI and docs | npm setup; `convex dev`; documentation | React docs; Edge Functions deployment |
| Integrations | Stripe, Resend, Twilio, WorkOS, PostHog | React, Flutter, Stripe, Vercel, OpenAI |
| Platforms | Web | Web and mobile |
Convex Choose Convex if
- Choose Convex if reactive data and TypeScript functions belong together.
- Choose Convex if your app needs checkpointed, retryable workflows.
- Choose Convex if its included function-call allowance fits your workload.
Supabase Choose Supabase if
- Choose Supabase if you want a portable Postgres database.
- Choose Supabase if you need a self-hosting option.
- Choose Supabase if built-in Auth, Storage and REST APIs fit your stack.
02Pricing at real usage
Convex’s Free & Starter tier costs $0 and includes 1–6 developers, 40 deployments, 1M function calls and 0.5 GB of database storage. Professional is $25 per developer monthly, with 25M function calls and 50 GB of database storage included. Additional calls cost $2 per million on Professional; database storage is $0.20 per GB. No additional developer-seat price is listed.
Supabase Free includes 50,000 monthly active users, 500 MB database storage per project and 5 GB egress. Pro starts at $25 monthly, with 100,000 MAUs, 8 GB disk and 250 GB egress. Paid plans include $10 monthly in compute credits; compute starts at $10 monthly for Micro. Pro overages include $0.00325 per additional MAU and $0.09 per GB of egress. Supabase bills can also grow with projects, compute and storage. Neither pricing page lists annual prices.
03API, SDKs and integration
Convex is a TypeScript backend: you write backend functions in TypeScript and use its reactive database, sync, workflows, search and file storage as one platform. Its setup uses npm: create a project with npm create convex@latest, or add the convex package and run convex dev. The homepage points developers to Convex docs and includes setup instructions for coding agents. It lists Stripe, Resend, Twilio, WorkOS and PostHog integrations.
Supabase centers on Postgres and exposes ready-to-use REST APIs alongside Auth, Storage, Realtime and Edge Functions. Its React example uses the @supabase/supabase-js client. The homepage also lists React, Next.js, Flutter, Expo and React Native, plus integrations including Stripe, Vercel, OpenAI, Hugging Face and LangChain. Supabase presents database access through SQL and its APIs; Convex emphasizes TypeScript functions and reactive data. Choose based on whether your codebase fits Postgres and its client or Convex’s TypeScript backend model.
04Open source, self-hosting and lock-in
Supabase is open source and self-hostable, and each project uses a full, portable Postgres database. That gives teams a database format they can use beyond Supabase, although moving Auth, Storage, Realtime and Edge Functions still means replacing those service integrations. Check the licences for the specific components you plan to run or modify.
Convex doesn’t publish an open-source licence, self-hosting option or export procedure. Its database, functions, reactive sync, search and storage are presented as a hosted backend platform. That creates more dependence on Convex-specific services than Supabase’s portable Postgres approach. Before adopting Convex, ask the vendor how to export data and what migration paths are supported. For either platform, map the application features you rely on—not just database records—before estimating the work to leave.
Questions people ask
Is Supabase the best option?
Supabase is a strong fit when you want Postgres, built-in Auth and Storage, REST APIs, or the option to self-host. Convex may fit better when the application is TypeScript-first and depends on reactive data, backend functions and workflows working together. The right choice depends on your database and deployment requirements.
What does Convex do?
Convex is a TypeScript backend platform that combines a reactive database, backend functions, real-time sync, workflows, search and file storage. Its workflow tools can checkpoint, retry and resume multi-step processes. The platform is aimed at applications that need data updates to reach users in real time.
What are alternatives to Supabase?
Convex is an alternative for teams that want a reactive TypeScript backend rather than a Postgres-centered platform. It includes a database, functions, sync, workflows, search and file storage. If self-hosting and portable Postgres are requirements, Supabase’s own architecture may be a better fit than switching.
Which database does Supabase use?
Supabase uses Postgres. Its homepage describes each project as a full, portable Postgres database, with built-in Auth and Row Level Security. Supabase also provides REST APIs, file storage, Realtime and Edge Functions around that database.