Convex vs Pocketbase: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for Convex and Pocketbase side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
Convex
Real-time backend platform for reactive apps
Best for you if:
- • You want real-time first
Pocketbase
Open-source backend in a single file
Best for you if:
- • You want a fully free tool (Convex requires payment)
| At a Glance | Pocketbase | |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free plan, paid from $25/mo, billed monthly Professional plan | Free 100% free |
Category | Data & Databases Low-Code Backend | Low-Code Backend Data & Databases |
Rating | 4.6/5 G2 4.5 · SourceForge 5.0 6 reviews | 4.3/5 SourceForge 4.3 67 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Watch out for | EU hosting adds a 30% surcharge on all usage, significant for European teams | n/a |
Choose Convex or Pocketbase?
Choose Convex if
- You want real-time first
- You want great DX
- You work in data & databases, not low-code backend
Choose Pocketbase if
- You want a fully free tool (Convex requires payment)
- You want simple backend in a file
- You want SQLite based
- You work in low-code backend, not data & databases
In-Depth Analysis
Convex
Real-time backend platform for reactive apps
Convex Free tier is generous for side projects: 1M function calls/mo and 0.5GB storage at no cost.
Watch out
EU hosting adds a 30% surcharge on all usage, significant for European teams
Strengths
- Pro: Real-time first
- Pro: Great DX
- Pro: TypeScript native
Weaknesses
- Con: Vendor lock-in
- Con: Newer platform
Key features
Pocketbase
Open-source backend in a single file
The pricing for Pocketbase is exceptionally generous, as it is entirely open-source and free.
Strengths
- Pro: Simple backend in a file
- Pro: SQLite based
- Pro: Real-time subscriptions
- Pro: Auth built-in
- Pro: Open source
Weaknesses
- Con: Single file limits scale
- Con: Go knowledge helpful
- Con: Limited ecosystem
- Con: Not for large apps
- Con: Documentation basic
Key features
Plans and prices: Convex vs Pocketbase
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Convex |
| convex.dev/pricing read Oct 27, 2026 |
| Pocketbase |
| pocketbase.io read Sep 29, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on Convex pricing and Pocketbase pricing.
Key Takeaways
Convex
- Choose if you want real-time backend platform for reactive apps
Pocketbase
- Choose if you want open-source backend in a single file
What the data shows
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
- User ratings rest on too few reviews to rank (4.6/5 from 6 reviews for Convex, 4.3/5 from 67 reviews for Pocketbase; we compare ratings only above 20 reviews on both sides).
- Convex starts at $25/mo, billed monthly; Pocketbase has no public paid plan price on file.
- Both have a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Convex and Pocketbase compare in 2026?
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair. User ratings rest on too few reviews to rank (4.6/5 from 6 reviews for Convex, 4.3/5 from 67 reviews for Pocketbase; we compare ratings only above 20 reviews on both sides). Convex starts at $25/mo, billed monthly; Pocketbase has no public paid plan price on file. Both have a free plan.
What are Convex and Pocketbase used for?
Convex: Real-time backend platform for reactive apps. Pocketbase: Open-source backend in a single file.
What does Convex cost vs Pocketbase?
Convex's cheapest paid plan is Professional at $25/mo, billed monthly; it also has a free plan. Pocketbase is free. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Oct 27, 2026.
What's the main difference between Convex and Pocketbase?
Convex's main strength: real-time first. Pocketbase's main strength: simple backend in a file.