Hosting

Should you build your own Convex?

Managed database, functions, realtime sync, file storage, and auth helpers

Worth subscribing · the value goes beyond code
Price $25/moEstimated savings $300/yrEstimated time not a true replacement; consolation build in one to two daysCategory HostingCatalog votes 0

Do not mistake the interface for the product. Convex's durable value is infrastructure, uptime, operations, which a solo one-shot build cannot reproduce responsibly. The prompt therefore builds only the closest honest personal consolation tool.

ENOriginal research content in English. Original prompt preserved in English.

The complete prompt
Build the closest honest consolation tool inspired by Convex; do not claim to replace its structural moat.
Use exactly this stack: Go 1.24 + Docker + SQLite.
Primary job: Build a single-server deployment panel for one user that accepts a repository, builds a container, deploys it, shows logs, and supports rollback.
Start from an empty folder and create the complete working project.
Make the default mode single-user and private.
Store user data locally unless the core job requires the declared self-hosted database.
Do not add analytics, telemetry, ads, or third-party accounts.
Put every secret and external credential in .env and provide .env.example.
Use realistic sample data that is clearly labelled and easy to delete.
Implement the smallest polished interface that completes the core loop end to end.
Include clear empty, loading, validation, success, and failure states.
Add import and export so the user is not trapped in the app.
Use accessible keyboard navigation, labels, focus states, and sensible contrast.
Validate untrusted input and never log secrets or private file contents.
Deliberately exclude these paid-product advantages: 24-hour operations and support; managed global infrastructure; multi-region failover.
Do not fake integrations, network effects, proprietary data, model quality, compliance, or security claims.
Where an external API is optional, keep the app useful without it and explain the degraded mode.
Write focused unit tests for the data model and the most important workflow.
Add one end-to-end smoke test that proves the core loop works.
Create a README with setup, permissions, architecture, data location, backup, and limitations.
Add scripts for install, development, test, build, and a production-style local run.
Run the tests and build before finishing, then fix errors rather than merely describing them.

The prompt opens pre-filled in your agent. Review it before running. · this prompt is generated from the build plan · improve it via PR

Original prompt preserved in English.

What would building your own look like?

Build a single-server deployment panel for one user that accepts a repository, builds a container, deploys it, shows logs, and supports rollback.

What you will need

Why paying can still make sense

Convex: Managed hosting sells a failure domain, on-call team, network, backups, and capacity planning, not merely a deploy button.

What you lose

x24-hour operations and support

xmanaged global infrastructure

xmulti-region failover

xDDoS protection and compliance

Share on X ↗"I just replaced Convex ($25/mo) with one prompt"
Free alternatives

Prefer something ready-made?

SupabaseDatabase, functions, realtime, files, and auth in one self-hosted stack; SQL replaces Convex's document model.108kAug 2026Open source↗AppwriteAuth, database, storage, realtime, and functions behind one polished console; the Compose file is doing a lot.57kAug 2026Open source↗NhostPostgres plus GraphQL, auth, storage, functions, and realtime; closer to Firebase than most Firebase alternatives.9.3kAug 2026Open source↗

View all 4 alternatives to Convex →· Licença, instalação e limitações em cada alternativa.

Plans and pricing

How much does Convex cost?

In your currency · US DollarChecked on 10/20/2026
Monthly billing
$25/mo · per person
Per year
$300/yr
Buy on the official site

You complete the purchase on Convex’s site. Vibe Radar does not handle payments.

PlanMonthlyAnnual (per month)What is included
free$0/workspace$0/workspace1-6 developers; 40 deployments; 0.5 GB database; 1 GB database I/O/month; 1M function calls/month; 20 action GB-hours; 1 GB files and 1 GB egress.
starter$0/workspace-Same free included quotas and 1-6 developers/40 deployments, then pay as you go above them.
professional$25/user-1-20 developers; 300 deployments; 25M function calls; 250 action GB-hours; 50 GB database storage and I/O; 100 GB files; 50 GB egress.
business / enterprise$2500/workspace-$2,500 monthly minimum with custom included allocations and dedicated terms.

Free tier1-6 developers, 40 deployments, 0.5 GB database, 1 GB database I/O/month, 1M function calls/month, 20 action GB-hours, 1 GB files and 1 GB egress

Billing termsFree and Starter have no base fee; Professional is monthly; annual commitment discounts are limited to Business/Enterprise

Additional costsOverages meter each resource separately. Starter rates include $2.20/M calls, $0.33/action-GB-hour, $0.22/GB database storage, $0.033/GB files and $0.132/GB egress; Professional rates are lower. EU-region usage is priced at 1.3x US.

verified 2026-10-20 · source ↗

Build or buy

Is it cheaper to build or buy Convex?

Adjust the numbers: hours to build, your hourly rate, running costs and the subscription price.

Subscribe
Build it yourself
Horizon
Subscribe$600
Build it yourself$1,920

Over 24 months, subscribing is cheaper.

Starting hours estimated from the analysis (not a true replacement; consolation build in one to two days). Does not price what you give up (support, integrations, security).

Frequently asked questions
Can I rebuild Convex?

Not really. Convex’s value is not the code: the moat survives one prompt. See the honest breakdown above.

How much does Convex cost?

Convex costs about $25/mo (Professional, checked 10/20/2026), which is $300 per year.

What do I lose by replacing Convex?

Honestly: 24-hour operations and support; managed global infrastructure; multi-region failover; DDoS protection and compliance. If any of those are load-bearing for you, keep paying.

Is there an open-source alternative to Convex?

Yes: Supabase (Database, functions, realtime, files, and auth in one self-hosted stack; SQL replaces Convex's document model.) Appwrite (Auth, database, storage, realtime, and functions behind one polished console; the Compose file is doing a lot.) Nhost (Postgres plus GraphQL, auth, storage, functions, and realtime; closer to Firebase than most Firebase alternatives.) All 4 curated free alternatives are at https://viberadar.si/convex/alternatives. The prompt is for when you want it exactly your way.

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