Convex vs Firebase: Which One Fits Your Solo Dev Stack?
Free tier limits, real costs for 1-10 users, and honest "not for" warnings. The Solo Dev decision guide for Convex vs Firebase.
⚡ Quick Verdict
Firebase edges ahead with a 4.5/5 rating. However, the best choice depends on your team size, budget, and workflow needs. Read on for the full breakdown.
💰 Cost by Team Size
| Team Size | Convex | Firebase |
|---|---|---|
| Solo (1 user) | $0/mo | $—/mo |
| Small (5 users) | $25/mo | $—/mo |
| Growing (10 users) | $25/mo | $—/mo |
| Free Tier | ✅ 1M function calls/month | ✅ 1GB stored, 10GB transfer |
Pricing Plans
| Plan | Convex | Firebase |
|---|---|---|
| Free Plan | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Pro | $25/mo | $0/mo |
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Convex | Firebase |
|---|---|---|
| Ease of Use | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
Pros & Cons
Convex
✅ Pros
- Modern and well-maintained
- Good free tier for solo developers
- Active community
❌ Cons
- Learning curve for advanced features
- Pricing can escalate with team growth
Firebase
✅ Pros
- Real-time sync
- Easy Auth
- Google Cloud integration
❌ Cons
- NoSQL limits complex queries
- Vendor lock-in
- Scale costs
Who Should Use What?
✅ Choose Convex if...
- You are a solo developers
- You are a small startups
- You are a side projects
🚫 Skip if...
- Enterprise with complex compliance needs
✅ Choose Firebase if...
- You are a small teams
- You are a startups
- You are a developers
🚫 Skip if...
- Enterprise with complex compliance needs
🏆 Our Verdict
Both Convex (4.4/5) and Firebase (4.5/5) are excellent tools in their category. Firebase takes a slight edge overall, but the best choice ultimately depends on your team's specific needs, budget, and existing tool ecosystem.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Convex better than Firebase?
It depends on your needs. Convex excels in some areas while Firebase has its own strengths. Read our full comparison above to see which tool fits your specific requirements.
How does Convex pricing compare to Firebase?
Convex starts at Free / $25/mo, while Firebase starts at Free / $0/mo. Both offer different value propositions — check our pricing comparison section for a detailed breakdown.
Can I migrate from Convex to Firebase?
Yes, most B2B tools offer data import/export features. Firebase typically provides migration guides and sometimes even dedicated support for switching from Convex.
Which is easier to use, Convex or Firebase?
Ease of use depends on your team's experience and workflow preferences. We evaluated both tools on usability — see our feature comparison scores above for details.
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