Firebase is Google's real-time database. Convex is the next generation.
Firebase and Convex both offer real-time data sync and serverless backend capabilities. Convex has TypeScript-native functions, ACID transactions, and a developer experience built for 2024. Understanding when each is the right choice.
Backend selection between Convex and Firebase for a real-time web application — or an existing Firebase application considering migration
Firebase was the default real-time backend for web applications for a decade. Firestore's real-time listeners, Firebase Auth, and the Firebase ecosystem were unmatched. The limitations that drove teams away: no ACID transactions, NoSQL data model that creates denormalization complexity, pricing that scales poorly at volume.
Convex is a newer entrant with a different architecture:
Convex:
- TypeScript-native: queries and mutations are TypeScript functions, end-to-end type safety
- ACID transactions: database consistency guarantees
- Relational data model with a document-inspired query API
- Real-time subscriptions built in
- Functions run server-side in a managed environment
- Automatic reactivity: components re-render when subscribed queries change
Firebase (Firestore):
- NoSQL document model (nested collections)
- Real-time listeners via snapshots
- Google ecosystem (Google Auth, Google Cloud Functions integration)
- Larger ecosystem and more community resources
- Better known by more developers
When Convex is the right choice:
- TypeScript-native team that wants end-to-end type safety
- Applications with complex data relationships (Convex's SQL-like queries handle this better than Firestore's collection/document hierarchy)
- Teams who want ACID transaction guarantees
When Firebase is the right choice:
- Teams with Firebase expertise and existing Firebase infrastructure
- Applications already using Google Cloud Platform heavily
- Simple real-time data use cases where Firebase's model fits
Backend selection based on the application's data model, query requirements, and the team's TypeScript experience
Convex or Postgres depending on the application's requirements. Convex for real-time collaborative applications; Neon Postgres for most web applications.
One honest number to start.
Fixed-scope, fixed-price. The number below is the starting point — final scope is built from your brief.
Backend selection based on the application's data model, query requirements, and the team's TypeScript experience
Three steps, every time.
The same repeatable engagement on every project. No surprises, no mystery, no billable ambiguity.
Brief & discovery.
We send you questions, then get on a call. Output: a written scope with every step, feature, and integration listed.
Build & ship.
Fixed schedule, weekly reviews. No scope creep unless you change the scope — and if you do, we reprice it transparently.
Warranty & retainer.
30-day warranty on every launch. Most clients stay on a monthly retainer for ongoing features and maintenance.
Why Fixed-Price Matters Here
Backend selection is made at project start. The choice is baked into the fixed-price proposal.
Related engagements.
Questions, answered.
Yes. Data migration from Firestore to Convex is feasible for most data models. The migration complexity depends on how deeply the data model relies on Firestore's collection/document hierarchy.
Yes. Convex is used in production by many companies. The platform has passed from early-adopter stage to mainstream.
Tell Ryel about your project.
Describe what you’re building and what outcome you need. You’ll have a written, fixed-price scope within the week.