--- title: "Convex vs Supabase vs Firebase (2026 Comparison)" description: "Convex vs Supabase vs Firebase in 2026: an honest comparison of three app backends on data model, real-time, pricing, self-hosting and which one to choose." type: "comparison" locale: "en" canonical: "https://agenticschool.dev/compare/convex-vs-supabase-vs-firebase" datePublished: "2026-06-13" dateModified: "2026-06-13" --- # Convex vs Supabase vs Firebase (2026 Comparison) - Keywords: convex vs supabase, convex vs supabase vs firebase, best backend for saas, firebase alternative - Canonical URL: https://agenticschool.dev/compare/convex-vs-supabase-vs-firebase - Locale: en > Convex vs Supabase vs Firebase in 2026: an honest comparison of three app backends on data model, real-time, pricing, self-hosting and which one to choose. Convex, Supabase and Firebase are the three backends most indie hackers and small teams choose between in 2026 to add a database, auth, storage and APIs without standing up servers from scratch. They take different shapes: Convex is a reactive, TypeScript-native backend where your queries are functions and the UI updates in real time by default; Supabase is managed Postgres with auth, storage, edge functions and instant REST APIs, and it is open-source and self-hostable; Firebase is Google's mature, mobile-first platform built on the Firestore NoSQL database with the deepest offline support. The choice usually comes down to your data model (SQL vs document vs reactive), how much you value real-time, and whether you want to be able to self-host. This page compares them honestly so you can match the backend to your app. It pairs with our Modern App Stack Explained article and the Course 3 Convex lesson. Facts are current as of June 2026 and pricing models move over time. ## Options ### Convex Reactive, TypeScript-native backend with real-time by default. - Tagline: TypeScript apps that want real-time reactivity, end-to-end type safety and the least backend wiring. - + Reactive by default: queries are TypeScript functions and the UI updates live with no extra plumbing. - + End-to-end type safety from the database to the client, which suits a modern TypeScript stack. - + Usage-based Pro pricing (about USD 25/mo as of 2026) with no always-on compute baseline. - - Source-available under a delayed-open license (FSL-1.1-Apache-2.0), not a classic open-source backend you freely self-host today. - - A newer, smaller ecosystem than Postgres or Firebase, and a document-style model rather than relational SQL. ### Supabase Open-source Postgres backend with auth, storage and APIs. - Tagline: Teams that want a real relational SQL database, the option to self-host and a full open-source backend suite. - + Real PostgreSQL with relational data, Row Level Security, instant REST APIs and a huge SQL ecosystem. - + Open-source (Apache-2.0) and self-hostable via Docker, so you can avoid lock-in and keep data in-house. - + A complete suite: database, auth, storage, edge functions and realtime in one platform. - - Pro is about USD 25/mo per project but includes always-on compute, so real bills grow with the tier you actually need. - - More manual wiring than Convex, and free projects pause after a week of inactivity. ### Firebase Google's mature, mobile-first BaaS on Firestore. - Tagline: Mobile and offline-first apps that want battle-tested SDKs and Google Cloud integration. - + The most established BaaS, with excellent iOS and Android SDKs and strong offline-first support. - + A broad ecosystem (auth, messaging, analytics, hosting) and tight Google Cloud integration. - + A real free tier (Spark) that is fine for prototypes and small apps. - - Hosted-only and not self-hostable, with meaningful Google lock-in. - - Per-read pricing on Firestore can be hard to predict and spike at scale, and the NoSQL model fits relational data poorly. | Convex | Supabase | Firebase | - Data model: Reactive document store (TypeScript functions) | Relational SQL (PostgreSQL) | NoSQL document store (Firestore) - Vendor: Convex | Supabase | Google - License: Source-available (FSL-1.1-Apache-2.0) | Open-source (Apache-2.0) | Closed-source - Self-hosting: Limited (source-available, delayed-open) | Yes, via Docker | No (hosted-only) - Real-time: Reactive by default | Realtime subscriptions (opt-in) | Realtime listeners (opt-in) - Pricing model (as of 2026): Usage-based; Pro about USD 25/mo, no always-on baseline | Free tier; Pro about USD 25/mo per project plus compute | Free Spark tier; pay-as-you-go, per-read pricing - Best for: Real-time TypeScript apps, least wiring | SQL apps, self-hosting, open-source suite | Mobile and offline-first apps ## Verdict Pick Convex if you are building a TypeScript app and want real-time reactivity and end-to-end type safety with the least backend wiring; it is the most natural fit when live updates are core to the product, with the trade-off of a source-available license and a younger ecosystem. Pick Supabase if you want a real relational SQL database, the freedom to self-host, and a full open-source suite of database, auth, storage and functions; it is the most versatile all-rounder and the safest against lock-in. Pick Firebase if you are shipping a mobile or offline-first app and value its mature SDKs and Google Cloud integration, accepting hosted-only lock-in and per-read pricing that can be hard to predict at scale. The honest rule of thumb: Convex for reactive TypeScript apps, Supabase for SQL and open-source control, Firebase for mobile. For how these fit a full modern stack alongside auth and payments, see our Modern App Stack Explained article, and compare auth providers in our Clerk vs Auth0 vs Supabase Auth page. ## FAQ ### Convex vs Supabase vs Firebase: which backend should I choose? It depends on your app. Choose Convex for real-time TypeScript apps that want reactivity and type safety with minimal wiring. Choose Supabase if you want a real relational SQL (Postgres) database, an open-source suite and the option to self-host. Choose Firebase for mobile and offline-first apps that benefit from its mature SDKs and Google Cloud integration. ### Which is cheapest, Convex, Supabase or Firebase? All three have free tiers. As of 2026, Convex and Supabase Pro both start around USD 25 per month, but Supabase adds always-on compute so real bills grow with the tier you need, while Convex is usage-based with no compute baseline. Firebase is pay-as-you-go and can be cheap for small apps but its per-read pricing is hard to predict and can spike at scale. ### Which of these backends can I self-host? Supabase is the clear self-hosting choice: it is open-source under Apache-2.0 and runs via Docker, so your data can stay on your own servers. Convex is source-available under a delayed-open license, so self-hosting is more limited. Firebase is hosted-only and cannot be self-hosted. ### Is Convex better than Supabase? Not universally. Convex is better when real-time reactivity and end-to-end TypeScript type safety matter most and you want the least wiring. Supabase is better when you want a real relational SQL database, the option to self-host and a mature open-source ecosystem. The right pick depends on your data model and how much you value real-time versus SQL and openness. ### Which backend is best for a SaaS built with AI coding tools? Both Convex and Supabase are excellent for AI-built SaaS because their TypeScript-friendly, well-documented APIs are easy for coding agents to work with; Convex shines for real-time apps and Supabase for SQL and self-hosting. Firebase is best when the SaaS is mobile-first. See our Modern App Stack Explained article for how the backend pairs with auth and payments.