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Convex vs PlanetScale

Two sides of the database decision: backend platform and managed database. When each fits, what it costs, who moves from one to the other, and what makers who chose it say.

ConvexBackend platformllms.txtCLI
PlanetScaleManaged databasellms.txt
Ask your AI about this, with this page as the source:ChatGPT ↗Claude ↗Perplexity ↗

Which fits you

Choose Convex if
  • You're building a live, collaborative app entirely in TypeScript

Use it whenYou want queries that update the UI live without writing sync code.

Trade-offIts own data model and query API rather than SQL.

Choose PlanetScale if
  • Apps that expect heavy scale and want zero-downtime schema changes.

Use it whenYour tables are big and busy enough that a locking migration would mean downtime.

Trade-offNo free tier.

At a glance

ConvexPlanetScale
Used by50 makers' products · 9 open-source projects29 makers' products · 9 open-source projects
Cost at default usagedatabase size 8 GB, data transfer 50 GB, document or row reads 10 million reads, document or row writes 2 million writes$29/mo Professional$7.40/mo Postgres PS-5 (single node)
Downloads1.3M/wk5.5× vs npm265.6k/wk−35% vs npm
PricingFree tier; paid plans by usage and seats. · paid from $25 per developer/moPaid plans only, from $5/month for a single-node Postgres database. · paid from $5/mo
Free tierYesNo
Open sourceYes · self-hostableNo
Incidents, 90 daysfrom its status page6 (3 major)9 (5 major)

Cost as you grow

At 0.5 GB Convex costs less ($0.56 vs $5.00); from about 5 GB PlanetScale does ($6.28 vs $19). They're different kinds of tool — backend platform and managed database — so the prices don't buy the same thing.

$0$50$200$500$1,0000.51582050100500
PlanetScaleConvexx: database size (GB), other usage scaled with it; held at 730 hours (compute hours per month) · cheapest usable plan at each point, list prices · try your own numbers
The numbers, plan by plan
Database sizeConvexPlanetScale
0.5$0.56 Free / Starter$5.00 Postgres PS-5 (single node)
1$1.90 Free / Starter$5.00 Postgres PS-5 (single node)
5$19 Free / Starter$6.28 Postgres PS-5 (single node)
8$29 Professional$7.40 Postgres PS-5 (single node)
20$44 Professional$13 Postgres PS-5 (single node)
50$157 Professional$28 Postgres PS-5 (single node)
100$354 Professional$53 Postgres PS-5 (single node)
500$1,934 Professional$253 Postgres PS-5 (single node)

From each vendor's pricing page: Convex, PlanetScale.

What makers say

Makers on using it for database, from Product Hunt and Starter Story interviews, each linked to the source. Products with a page of their own and fuller notes first.

On Convex
This real-time database for TypeScript is a game-changer. It seamlessly integrates with my application, providing real-time data synchronization and making development a breeze.
BloxGPT, the makerSep 2026 ↗
Convex backend-as-a-service that provided real-time databases, authentication, and API services. It enabled to build and scale applications quickly without managing server infrastructure.
Super BNA, the makerSep 2026 ↗
Love their UI, their reactivity is insanely good. Was initially with supabase, but have shifted to convex now. Also don't like writing SQL, so Convex was a no-brainer.
PayPing, the makerSep 2026 ↗
28 more on the Convex page →
On PlanetScale
A joy to work with. Branching, schema changes, and zero-downtime deploys make PlanetScale perfect for our evolving data models. Developer-friendly + production-safe = rare combo.
RunLLM, the makerSep 2026 ↗
If you want really fast and reliable database technology this is the way to go. Not only does it allow us to have super fast performance of our service, their analytics help us make it even better.
Sailhouse, the makerSep 2026 ↗
As a NextJS and Rails app, Planetscale is the backbone of Campsite. Our database is incredibly fast, secure, and easy to manage. Deploy Requests are GOATed.
Campsite, the makerSep 2026 ↗
20 more on the PlanetScale page →

Loved and watch-outs

Themes that recur in makers' words and Hacker News comments, each linked to what it summarises.

Convex
Most loved
  • Real-time sync is built in, so dashboards, comments and leaderboards update for every user without refreshes or extra plumbing. PHHN
  • Database, server functions and auth in one service replace a whole backend stack for a one-person team. PHPH 2HN
  • Everything is TypeScript with schema validation, giving strong typing from the database to the UI and no SQL to write. PHHN
Watch-outs
  • It works unlike a conventional database; joins are written imperatively in JavaScript and SQL-oriented tools integrate awkwardly. HNHN 2
  • It does not work offline, and optimistic updates must be written by hand. HN
On Product Hunt: 5.0★, 53 reviews · mentioned most: real-time data synchronization, developer experience, fast performance
PlanetScale
Most loved
  • Database branching, deploy requests and zero-downtime schema changes let teams change data models as fast as code. PHHN
  • It stays fast and reliable from launch to billions of rows, often with a single engineer running it. PHPH 2HN
  • Vitess-based sharding gives battle-tested write scaling that the big clouds' managed databases do not offer in the same package. HNHN 2HN 3
Watch-outs
  • Newer features like Neki sharding and TIN search are proprietary and cloud-only, raising vendor lock-in worries. HNHN 2HN 3HN 4
  • Dropping the free tier forced hobby projects to move elsewhere and cost it goodwill with indie developers. HNHN 2
  • Postgres databases cannot yet get in-place major version upgrades. HN
On Product Hunt: 4.8★, 27 reviews · mentioned most: scalability, developer-friendly, database branching

Who uses each

Convex50 makers' products
a0.devBloxGPTbrag.fastBrewBrutal VerdictCandle (YC F24)CheapFeedbackCherry BlossomClawcastClipwingConduitDataGems+38 more
PlanetScale29 makers' products
BalanceCampsiteCushionEververseGraphyHeimaHopliteKeystrokeLangtaillocalskills.shMindFortOctolens+17 more

What makers pair each with

With Convex
Frontend Framework
Authentication
Transactional Email
LLM API
With PlanetScale
Transactional Email
Hosting
Frontend Framework
LLM API

Neither quite right?

See the whole database decision →
SupabaseBackend platformPostgres plus auth, storage and realtime in one project.vs Convex →vs PlanetScale →
FirebaseBackend platformMobile apps that need offline sync and client-side SDKs.
NeonManaged databaseServerless Postgres that scales to zero, with a branch per preview deploy.vs PlanetScale →
TursoManaged databaseSQLite at the edge, or one database per customer.
MongoDBManaged databaseDocument-shaped data and teams already fluent in Mongo.
PostgreSQLRun it yourselfThe engine behind most of the hosted options above, run on your own server or container for full control and a flat cost.