Convex
activeby Convex, Inc. · since 2022 · also known as Convex.dev
Reactive TypeScript backend with a transactional document database, server functions and live queries.
Overview
Convex is a backend platform whose core is a transactional document database. You write queries, mutations and actions as TypeScript functions that run next to the data, and every query used by the client is automatically a live subscription that re-runs when its inputs change. Transactions are serializable via optimistic concurrency, and it includes indexes, full-text and vector search, file storage, scheduling and cron. It removes most cache and websocket plumbing for React-style apps and is popular with AI coding tools. The backend is source-available under FSL and can be self-hosted, but most teams use the managed cloud.
Strengths & trade-offs
Strengths
- +Every query is reactive by default; no manual cache invalidation or websocket code
- +Serializable transactions with automatic retries on conflict
- +End-to-end TypeScript types from schema to client
- +Built-in full-text search, vector search, scheduling and file storage
- +Open-source backend can be self-hosted if you leave the cloud
Trade-offs
- −Data access only through Convex functions; no SQL or external BI connection
- −Single-region deployments with limited control over placement
- −No offline writes on the client
- −Function time and size limits shape how you design heavy jobs
Great for
- +Realtime collaborative SaaS apps
- +AI chat and agent apps with vector search
- +Startups replacing a hand-built API plus cache
- +Apps scaffolded by AI coding tools
Think twice for
- −Analytics and ad-hoc SQL reporting
- −Offline-first mobile apps
- −Workloads needing multi-region writes
Capabilities
Native or official first-party support · 9 of 25 tracked
Scale & consistency
- Comfortable data size
- Medium · ≤ 10 TB
- Horizontal scaling
- None
- Multi-region
- No
- Transactions
- Full ACID
- Consistency
- Strong
- Schema
- Flexible
- Architecture
- Serverless, Client server
- Query languages
- TypeScript query functions
A deployment is a single logical database; function execution scales out, storage does not shard.
Deployment
Ecosystem
Alternatives to Convex
Google's app platform: Firestore, Realtime Database and Data Connect, plus auth, functions and hosting.
convex vs firebase →Open-source Postgres backend platform: database, auth, storage, realtime and edge functions in one project.
convex vs supabase →Realtime client-side database with relational queries, auth and permissions; cloud sunsets in 2027.
convex vs instantdb →Open-source backend platform with databases, auth, storage, functions and realtime, self-hosted or cloud.
convex vs appwrite →In-memory relational database that runs your server logic as WASM modules and streams changes to clients.
convex vs spacetimedb →Open-source backend in one Go binary: SQLite database, auth, files, realtime and admin UI.
convex vs pocketbase →Convex FAQ
What is Convex?
Convex is a document database by Convex, Inc., first released in 2022. Convex is a backend platform whose core is a transactional document database. You write queries, mutations and actions as TypeScript functions that run next to the data, and every query used by the client is automatically a live subscription that re-runs when its inputs change. Transactions are serializable via optimistic concurrency, and it includes indexes, full-text and vector search, file storage, scheduling and cron. It removes most cache and websocket plumbing for React-style apps and is popular with AI coding tools. The backend is source-available under FSL and can be self-hosted, but most teams use the managed cloud.
Is Convex open source?
Not in the OSI sense. Convex is source-available: you can read the code, but the license restricts some uses, typically offering it as a competing managed service. License: FSL-1.1-Apache-2.0 (backend); Apache-2.0 client.
Does Convex support ACID transactions?
Yes. Convex supports full ACID transactions, with strong consistency.
Does Convex scale horizontally?
Convex does not scale horizontally; it runs on a single node, so you scale it up rather than out. It is comfortable at medium scale (≤ 10 TB).
How can I run Convex?
You can self-host it, use the vendor's managed cloud and run it serverless.
What is Convex best for?
Convex is a strong fit for realtime collaborative SaaS apps; AI chat and agent apps with vector search; and startups replacing a hand-built API plus cache. Think twice for analytics and ad-hoc SQL reporting.
What are the best alternatives to Convex?
Common alternatives to Convex include Firebase, Supabase, InstantDB, Appwrite and SpacetimeDB. The right choice depends on your workload, scale and hosting; WhichDB's smart match ranks them against your requirements.
How popular is Convex?
Convex ranks #114 of 844 databases on the WhichDB Score (26.0/100), and #12 among document databases. The score combines public adoption signals such as package downloads, GitHub activity, job posts and developer discussion.