🔧 Backend & BaaS Comparison
Convex vs Directus
A detailed comparison to help you choose the right tool for your needs.
Last updated: 2026-02-07
Convex
Free tier, paid from $25/mo per member
Strengths
- + Real-time data sync out of the box with no extra config
- + TypeScript-first with end-to-end type safety
- + Generous free tier that scales to zero
Weaknesses
- − Vendor lock-in with no self-hosting option
- − Relatively new platform with a smaller community
Directus
Free self-hosted, cloud from $15/mo
Strengths
- + Works with existing SQL databases without migration
- + Visual admin panel for non-technical content management
- + Self-hostable for free under MIT license
Weaknesses
- − Revenue threshold requires a paid license for self-hosted (over $5M/yr)
- − More CMS-oriented, less suited for complex application logic
The verdict
Which one is right for you?
Choose Convex if you want
- → Real-time data sync out of the box with no extra config
- → TypeScript-first with end-to-end type safety
Choose Directus if you want
- → Works with existing SQL databases without migration
- → Visual admin panel for non-technical content management
In depth
About each tool
Convex
Reactive backend platform with real-time database, serverless functions, and automatic caching
Convex is a reactive backend platform where the database, server functions, and caching work together as one system. It handles real-time subscriptions, ACID transactions, and file storage without requiring separate infrastructure. The free Starter plan is pay-as-you-go with no base cost, making it practical for solo founders to prototype and launch without upfront commitment.
Directus
Open-source headless CMS and backend-as-a-service that wraps any SQL database with a REST and GraphQL API
Directus is an open-source data platform that layers a real-time API and intuitive admin app on top of any SQL database. It supports REST and GraphQL out of the box, with granular role-based access control and built-in file storage. Ideal for solo founders who need a content backend with a visual dashboard, or who want to expose an existing database as an API without rewriting anything.
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