---
title: "Convex vs Neon: Which is Better in 2026? | App Stack Builder"
description: "Convex vs Neon compared for 2026 — pricing, free tiers, features, pros & cons. See which database tool is the better fit for your startup."
source: https://appstackbuilder.com/compare/convex-vs-neon
retrieved: 2026-08-30
---

Database

# Convex vs Neon: Which is Better in 2026?

Choosing between [Convex](https://appstackbuilder.com/tools/convex) and [Neon](https://appstackbuilder.com/tools/neon)? Both are popular database tools. Below we compare them on pricing, free tiers, features, and pros & cons so you can pick the right fit for your stack.

Quick verdict

Neon is the safer pick if budget matters — it has a free tier, while Convex does not. Choose Convex when its specific features justify the cost.

## Convex vs Neon — Side by Side

|                | Convex                   | Neon                              |
| -------------- | ------------------------ | --------------------------------- |
| Category       | Database                 | Database                          |
| Pricing        | From $25/mo              | Free                              |
| Starting price | From $25/mo              | Free tier available               |
| Free tier      | —                        | ✓                                 |
| Rating         | 4.7                      | 4.7                               |
| Best for       | Database — backend, baas | Database — postgresql, serverless |

## Pros & Cons

![Convex](https://appstackbuilder.com/convex.svg)

[Convex](https://appstackbuilder.com/tools/convex)

* ✓Excellent real-time data model
* ✓Very fast developer iteration
* ✓TypeScript-first backend
* ✓Built-in cron, auth, and storage
* ✓AI-assisted app generation
* ✗Pricing is per-developer at scale
* ✗Less control than self-managed databases
* ✗Ecosystem smaller than traditional databases

![Neon](https://appstackbuilder.com/neon.svg)

[Neon](https://appstackbuilder.com/tools/neon)

* ✓True serverless PostgreSQL
* ✓Scale-to-zero reduces idle costs
* ✓Instant database branching
* ✓Excellent Vercel integration
* ✓Great for preview environments
* ✗Usage-based pricing can be unpredictable
* ✗Not ideal for always-on heavy workloads
* ✗Enterprise features are limited

## Key Features Compared

### Convex

* ✓1–6 developers
* ✓40 deployments
* ✓Chef AI app generation
* ✓Real-time database with indexes
* ✓Text search and vector search
* ✓File storage

### Neon

* ✓Up to 100 projects
* ✓100 compute hours per project
* ✓0.5 GB storage per project
* ✓Scale-to-zero compute
* ✓Read replicas
* ✓Built-in high availability

### Choose Convex if…

* ✓Excellent real-time data model
* ✓Very fast developer iteration
* ✓TypeScript-first backend
[Convex review & pricing ](https://appstackbuilder.com/tools/convex)

### Choose Neon if…

* ✓You want to start free — Neon has a free tier and Convex does not.
* ✓True serverless PostgreSQL
* ✓Scale-to-zero reduces idle costs
* ✓Instant database branching
[Neon review & pricing ](https://appstackbuilder.com/tools/neon)

## Frequently Asked Questions

Is Convex better than Neon?⌄

Neon is the safer pick if budget matters — it has a free tier, while Convex does not. Choose Convex when its specific features justify the cost.

What is the difference between Convex and Neon?⌄

Convex — Reactive backend-as-a-service with a built-in database, real-time queries, serverless functions, and AI-powered app generation. Neon — Serverless PostgreSQL with autoscaling, branching, and usage-based pricing. Both are database tools; the comparison table above breaks down pricing, free tiers, and what each is best for.

Convex vs Neon: which is cheaper?⌄

Convex pricing: From $25/mo. Neon pricing: Free. Confirm current pricing on each tool's official site, as plans change.

Which is rated higher, Convex or Neon?⌄

In our catalog, Convex rates 4.7 out of 5 and Neon rates 4.7 out of 5 — they are evenly matched.

See more options in our guide to the [best database tools for startups](https://appstackbuilder.com/categories/database).

## Still not sure which to pick?

Get a free, AI-powered tech stack — including the best database pick for your budget and team — in 60 seconds.

[Build my stack free ](https://appstackbuilder.com/)