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Most buyers should pick Convex.
Choose Convex if your app is TypeScript-first and depends on reactive updates, ACID transactions, resumable workflows, or built-in agent tools. Choose Supabase if portable Postgres, authentication, Row Level Security, and ready-to-use REST APIs matter more. Both have free plans and a $25 paid entry point, but Convex Professional is $25 per developer monthly; Supabase Pro is $25 monthly. Compare usage limits and add-ons before treating those prices as equivalent.
01Side by side
| Convex | Supabase | |
|---|---|---|
| Paid starting price | $25 per developer/month (Professional) | $25/month (Pro) |
| Free plan | 1M function calls; 0.5 GB database storage included | 50,000 MAUs; 500 MB database; 5 GB egress |
| Best for | Reactive TypeScript apps with workflows and agent tools | Apps built around portable Postgres and authentication |
| Core strength | ACID transactions and real-time data updates | Postgres, Row Level Security, and REST APIs |
| Learning curve | Ease-of-use review score: 8/10 | Ease-of-use review score: 7.5/10 |
| Database approach | Reactive backend with TypeScript functions | Portable Postgres with built-in Auth and REST APIs |
| Team and seat costs | $25/developer monthly; Business minimum $2,500/month | Pro $25/month; Team $599/month |
| Support | Professional includes email support | Enterprise includes 24×7×365 premium support |
Convex Choose Convex if
- Choose Convex if you want a TypeScript-first backend platform.
- Choose Convex if real-time updates and ACID transactions matter.
- Choose Convex if built-in workflows or agent tools fit your app.
Supabase Choose Supabase if
- Choose Supabase if portable Postgres is central to your app.
- Choose Supabase if you want built-in Auth and Row Level Security.
- Choose Supabase if ready-to-use REST APIs suit your workflow.
02Pricing compared
Both offer a free plan and a $25 starting price, but the paid prices are not equivalent. According to the pricing pages, Convex Professional costs $25 per developer per month and includes 25 million function calls, 50 GB of database storage, and 300 deployments. Usage beyond included limits is billed separately. Its Business & Enterprise plan has a $2,500 monthly minimum.
Supabase Pro costs $25 per month and includes 100,000 monthly active users, 8 GB of disk per project, 250 GB of egress, and 100 GB of file storage. Compute, extra projects, and usage overages can add to the bill. Supabase Team is $599 per month; Enterprise pricing is custom. Annual prices are not published for either product. Compare your expected usage and team size, not just the entry price.
03Features and depth
Convex is a TypeScript-first reactive backend. Its platform combines a database and backend functions with real-time sync, search, file storage, and workflow tools for multi-step processes that checkpoint, retry, and resume. Convex also highlights ACID transactions and agent features including threads, context, and vector search. That package suits teams that want those capabilities within one backend platform.
Supabase centers on portable Postgres, with built-in Auth and Row Level Security, file storage, Edge Functions, realtime features, and ready-to-use REST APIs. Its tools also cover vectors, scheduled jobs, and message queues. If keeping a Postgres database is a requirement, Supabase is the clearer fit; Convex is not described as a Postgres platform in the published product information. Both offer real-time features, but the surrounding model differs: Convex emphasizes reactive TypeScript functions and workflows, while Supabase builds on Postgres and its database access controls. Check which model fits your app before comparing feature checklists.
04Ease of use and learning curve
The easier option depends on what your team already knows and wants to own. Convex foregrounds TypeScript functions, reactive updates, and workflows, so it may be a more direct fit if those are central to how you plan to build. Supabase gives you a Postgres database, Auth, Row Level Security, and REST APIs; teams that want those familiar database and access-control concepts may prefer that structure.
Neither choice removes the need to understand its limits. Convex has function-call and storage allowances, while Supabase has project, disk, egress, and user limits, with paid add-ons and overages. Before switching, map your data model, auth requirements, and expected usage to the platform—not just the getting-started path.
Questions people ask
Is Supabase the best option?
Not for every app. Supabase is a strong fit when portable Postgres, built-in Auth, Row Level Security, and REST APIs are priorities. Convex may suit a TypeScript-first app that needs reactive updates, ACID transactions, resumable workflows, or built-in agent tools. Compare the plan caps and likely add-ons too.
What does Convex do?
Convex is a reactive TypeScript backend platform that combines a database and functions with real-time sync, search, file storage, and workflow tools. Its feature set also includes ACID transactions and tools for AI agents, including threads, context, and vector search.
What are alternatives to Supabase?
Convex is one alternative in this comparison. It offers a reactive TypeScript backend with database functions, sync, workflows, search, and storage. It is not described here as a Postgres platform, so it may not replace Supabase if portable Postgres is a requirement.
Which database does Supabase use?
Supabase uses Postgres. Its product information describes each project as including a full, portable Postgres database, with Auth and Row Level Security. The platform also provides storage, Edge Functions, realtime features, and ready-to-use REST APIs.