4 alternatives to Convex
Compare free and open-source solutions before building your own. Check each option’s license, setup, and limitations.
Database, functions, realtime, files, and auth in one self-hosted stack; SQL replaces Convex's document model.
LicenseApache-2.0
PlatformsOn your machine or in the cloud
InstallationHosted Supabase project, or the official Docker Compose stack; `supabase start` runs the local stack
DataRelational data, auth records, and platform metadata live in PostgreSQL; Realtime consumes the Postgres replication stream; object data lives in the configured storage backend with metadata in Postgres; edge-function and migration source stays in project files. Supabase Cloud stores and operates the managed copy.
Limitations compared to ConvexSupabase replaces Convex's document/function runtime with PostgreSQL, SQL migrations, row-level security, and separate services, so the application architecture must be rewritten rather than simply moved.
SetupSelf-hosting is not 'just Postgres': the Compose stack needs many secrets and services, plus SMTP, object storage, TLS, backups, observability, and coordinated upgrades.
Facts verified 2026-08-10
Auth, database, storage, realtime, and functions behind one polished console; the Compose file is doing a lot.
LicenseBSD-3-Clause
PlatformsOn your machine or in the cloud
InstallationHosted Appwrite Cloud signup, or the official Docker installer/Compose stack
DataSelf-hosted Appwrite stores application records in MariaDB, queues and cache in Redis, and uploaded files in Docker volumes or a configured object-storage adapter; functions and build artifacts are managed by the Appwrite worker/executor services. Appwrite Cloud stores the equivalent data in Appwrite's infrastructure.
Limitations compared to ConvexAppwrite supplies the backend pieces but not Convex's end-to-end reactive TypeScript query model, automatic dependency tracking, transactional functions, or client cache semantics.
SetupThe installer is one command, but it expands into a large multi-container platform; production use still needs a domain, TLS, SMTP, storage, backups, and careful version upgrades.
Facts verified 2026-08-10
Postgres plus GraphQL, auth, storage, functions, and realtime; closer to Firebase than most Firebase alternatives.
LicenseMIT
PlatformsOn your machine or in the cloud
InstallationHosted Nhost project, or Nhost CLI/Docker for local and self-hosted deployments
DataApplication and auth records live in PostgreSQL, GraphQL metadata and migrations can live beside the project in version-controlled files, uploaded objects use S3-compatible storage, and serverless-function source remains in the project directory. Nhost Cloud runs those services in Nhost's infrastructure.
Limitations compared to ConvexNhost's PostgreSQL-and-GraphQL model is conventional and powerful, but it does not reproduce Convex's reactive functions, automatic cache invalidation, or unified TypeScript data model.
SetupSelf-hosting means operating PostgreSQL, Hasura, authentication, storage, functions, networking, secrets, email, and upgrades rather than one small binary.
Facts verified 2026-08-10
The actual Convex backend and reactive function runtime on your own server; auth still comes from an external provider.
LicenseFSL-1.1-ALv2
PlatformsOn your server
InstallationDocker Compose for the Convex backend and dashboard
DataDatabase state, scheduled-function state, indexes, and file-storage objects are kept in Convex's internal representation inside persistent volumes controlled by the self-hosted backend; this is not a user-facing SQL database. Application functions remain in the project's source tree and are pushed to that deployment.
Limitations compared to ConvexThis is Convex's actual runtime, but the subscription savings remove managed scaling, backups, monitoring, upgrades, incident response, and integrated authentication from the package.
SetupThe first hurdle is not Docker itself but replacing Convex Cloud's managed envelope: configure instance secrets, a public URL/TLS, external authentication, durable volumes, backups, monitoring, and upgrades.
Facts verified 2026-08-10
Updated 2026-08-10 · no paid listings
PocketBaseDatabase, realtime, files, and auth fit in one binary, but there is no server-side functions runtime.
| Tool | License | Setup | Platforms | Stars | Activity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Supabase | Apache-2.0 | Self-hosted with ongoing maintenance | web, self-hosted, cli | 107,608 | 2026-08 |
| Appwrite | BSD-3-Clause | Docker on your server | web, self-hosted | 56,789 | 2026-08 |
| Nhost | MIT | Self-hosted with ongoing maintenance | web, self-hosted, cli | 9,266 | 2026-08 |
| Convex Self-Hosted | FSL-1.1-ALv2 | Self-hosted with ongoing maintenance | web, self-hosted | — | — |
Convex: Managed hosting sells a failure domain, on-call team, network, backups, and capacity planning, not merely a deploy button. If those points do not matter to you, the options above could save $300 per year.
Is there a free alternative to Convex?
Yes: Supabase, Appwrite, Nhost. This page lists 4 free or open-source options. Check the limitations of each.
Should I build my own Convex?
Our verdict: Worth subscribing. 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. The complete prompt is on the Convex page on Vibe Radar.
