Tool profile
Reactive backend with a built in database, TypeScript functions, realtime sync, and vector search.
Realtime collaborative products (docs, PM, design tools)
Convex provides a hosted backend where you write queries, mutations, and actions in TypeScript; clients subscribe to reactive updates instead of hand-rolling polling. The platform bundles a document-relational database, file storage, vector search, cron jobs, HTTP actions, auth integrations, and component marketplace pieces aimed at product engineers.
Pricing (convex.dev/pricing) separates Free & Starter pay-as-you-go (up to six developers, tens of deployments) from Professional at $25 per developer per month with higher included function calls (25M/mo then about $2 per additional million), action compute (250 GB-hours/mo then about $0.30 per GB-hour), database storage (50 GB included then about $0.20/GB-mo), and analogous meters for files and vectors. Starter overage rates are slightly higher on some meters. EU hosting is available with a stated 30% surcharge on usage.
Convex suits teams building collaborative or realtime apps who want one vendor for DB + functions + scheduling. Compare Supabase when Postgres and RLS are non-negotiable; compare Firebase for Google ecosystem document sync; self-host remains an option via open-source backend docs for regulated environments.
Quick fit
Editorial take
Convex is one of the clearer usage-based backend products, but it still has several distinct meters. The right editorial move is to separate the free or Starter envelope from the Professional seat price and then call out the ongoing usage math plainly.
What it does well
Primary use cases
Fit notes
Compare with
Pressure-test this pick against nearby alternatives.
Pricing snapshot
Convex's pricing page shows Free and Starter at $0 with pay-as-you-go usage, including 1 million function calls per month, 20 GB-hours of action compute, 0.5 GB of database storage, and other small included resource pools on Starter. Professional is $25 per developer per month and raises included usage substantially, including 25 million function calls, 250 GB-hours of action compute, and 50 GB of database storage. Convex also says EU hosting carries a 30 percent pass-through surcharge on usage.
Alation
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