Convex vs Supabase DB decision??
If you're about to build a new app, read this first.
(The wrong Convex vs Supabase decision could cost you 6 months of rebuilding)
The secret? These platforms solve COMPLETELY different problems.
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𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝗺 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗱𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝗲:
You spend weeks setting up real-time sync.
You write custom WebSocket logic for every feature.
You fight authentication bugs constantly.
Still breaks in production.
Still costs more than expected.
Still scales worse than promised.
Why? Because you picked based on a random tweet.
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𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲'𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲:
→ Convex = Real-time apps made easy
→ Supabase = SQL power with modern features
Pick the wrong one = major technical debt.
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𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘅 — 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹-𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗲:
What you get:
→ Real-time updates BY DEFAULT (no WebSocket setup)
→ TypeScript-native everything
→ Custom reactive document database
→ Client + backend fully open source
Pricing:
→ Free tier for hobby projects
→ ~$25/member/month for Pro
→ Startup program = up to 1 YEAR FREE
Best for: Collaborative apps, TypeScript teams, real-time features.
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𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗮𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗲 — 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗦𝗤𝗟 𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲:
What you get:
→ Full PostgreSQL database (SQL power)
→ Complete ecosystem: auth, storage, realtime, edge functions
→ 100% open source
→ Self-hostable
Pricing:
→ Free tier with 2 projects
→ $25/month Pro plan with 8GB database
→ $599/month Team with SOC2/HIPAA compliance
Best for: SQL-first teams, enterprise requirements, traditional database needs.
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𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗸𝗲𝘆 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸:
Choose Convex if:
→ Real-time is your core feature
→ You hate backend complexity
→ TypeScript-first team
→ Building collaborative/multiplayer apps
Choose Supabase if:
→ You need SQL power + relations
→ Enterprise compliance is required
→ Traditional database structure preferred
→ Existing SQL expertise on team
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𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗻:
Stop picking backends based on hype.
Start picking based on:
→ Your app's core needs
→ Your team's skillset
→ Your growth trajectory
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95% will pick their backend based on a random tweet.
But if you're the 5% who actually analyzes the tradeoffs?
You'll ship faster.
Scale smoother.
Sleep better.
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Convex vs Supabase DB decision??
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