Free Convex alternatives
Convex is in Backend & Database. It scored 8.7/10 in our tests. We list free or no-monthly-fee options first. Neon is the highest-scoring tested free or no-monthly-fee alternative at 9.5/10. Firebase is recorded as requiring no card: Yes (Spark): capped free quotas, no card
Our record describes Convex as suited to: TypeScript developers who want a reactive backend with functions and a database in one.. Recorded considerations: Self-hosted Docker images returned 'denied' for anonymous pulls in our test.
Free or no-monthly-fee alternatives
Listed first because most people comparing alternatives want a free or no-card starting point. Scores are recorded overall scores from our tests, not one shared benchmark. Official limits can change; re-check the tool page dates.
| Alternative | Overall | Free plan or fee model | Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Neon | 9.5/10 | Yes: 100 CU-hours/project/mo, 1 GB storage/project (20 GB account total), 5 GB transfer/project, 10 branches/project | Launch: usage-based, no minimum ($0.106/CU-hour) |
| Supabase | 9.2/10 | Yes: 2 projects, 500 MB DB, 50K MAU; pauses after 1 week inactive | Pro from $25/mo per org ($10 compute credit) |
| Firebase | not yet tested | Yes (Spark): capped free quotas, no card | Blaze pay-as-you-go above free quotas |
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Tested: Neon Free plan, API v2 + serverless HTTP driver, Postgres 18.6 · 2026-10-16
Free tier: Yes: 100 CU-hours/project/mo, 1 GB storage/project (20 GB account total), 5 GB transfer/project, 10 branches/project
3/3 runs: one API call created a Postgres branch with compute that answered queries ~2s later; created a todos table, inserted, updated and read rows, then deleted the branch.
Pros- A new Postgres branch was queryable about 2s after one API call
- Branching makes throwaway test databases trivial
- HTTPS serverless driver works where TCP 5432 is blocked
Cons- The projects API demanded org_id even for a single-org account
- Our test covered the database only, not auth
Best if: Indie devs who want serverless Postgres with instant branches for previews, tests and AI agents.
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Tested: Supabase Cloud, Free plan (ap-southeast-2); self-hosted Docker edition also tested: 8.6 · 2026-10-16
Free tier: Yes: 2 projects, 500 MB DB, 50K MAU; pauses after 1 week inactive
Cloud: project provisioned in ~9s, table + REST write/read + email signup/login/wrong-password rejected passed 3/3 runs (~12s task).
Pros- Cloud project provisioned in about 9 seconds
- Database, REST API and email auth all passed 3 of 3 runs
- Generous free tier: 2 projects, 500 MB database, 50K MAU
Cons- Free projects pause after 1 week of inactivity
- Self-hosted Docker had an unhealthy edge-functions container on our box (scored 8.6)
Best if: Indie developers who want Postgres, auth and an instant REST API in one backend.
- Firebase Not yet tested
Free tier: Yes (Spark): capped free quotas, no card
Google's app development platform.
How Convex compares
Convex scored 8.7/10. Neon is the highest-scoring tested free or no-monthly-fee alternative at 9.5/10 (difference 0.8 points).
Back to Convex · Best free Backend & Database · Best Backend & Database
FAQ
Is there a free alternative to Convex?
Neon (9.5/10), Supabase (9.2/10) have a tested score and a free plan or no monthly fee on record. Also listed as not yet tested: Firebase. Official limits are dated on each tool page; free does not mean unlimited.
Which free Convex alternative scored highest?
Neon scored 9.5/10 overall among the free or no-monthly-fee tools we have tested in this category.
How are alternatives ranked?
Free or no-monthly-fee options are listed first. Tested tools show their recorded overall score; untested tools are marked not yet tested and have no score. Scores come from separate hands-on runs, not one shared benchmark. See our methodology for the rubric.
Scores come from our own tests and are never for sale; sponsored placements are always labelled. Some links are affiliate links (currently Railway). Disclosure