What will I learn from this tool-comparisons tutorial?

Comparing Convex and Drizzle for solo developers. This comprehensive guide covers all the essential concepts and practical steps you need to master tool-comparisons.

Is this tool-comparisons tutorial suitable for beginners?

This tutorial is designed to be accessible for learners at various skill levels. We provide clear explanations and step-by-step instructions to help you understand tool-comparisons concepts effectively.

How long does it take to complete this tool-comparisons tutorial?

This tutorial has an estimated reading time of 5 minutes. However, we recommend taking additional time to practice the concepts and techniques covered to fully master the material.

Where can I find more tool-comparisons tutorials and resources?

You can find more tool-comparisons tutorials in our tool-comparisons category section. We also recommend exploring our related articles and following our blog for the latest updates on tool-comparisons techniques and best practices.

/ tool-comparisons / Convex vs Drizzle for Solo Developers

tool-comparisons • February 17, 2025 • 5 min read

Convex vs Drizzle for Solo Developers

Comparing Convex and Drizzle for solo developers.

Convex vs Drizzle for Solo Developers

This comparison is a bit unusual because Convex and Drizzle are not the same category of tool. Convex is a full backend platform with its own database. Drizzle is a TypeScript ORM that sits on top of whatever database you choose. But solo developers often evaluate them side by side because both promise a great TypeScript developer experience for data management.

Having used both, I think the real question is: do you want a platform or a library?

Convex Overview

Convex is an all-in-one backend that includes a document database, serverless functions, file storage, scheduling, and real-time subscriptions. You write your entire backend in TypeScript, deploy it to Convex, and your frontend gets automatic reactivity. There is no separate database to provision, no ORM to configure, and no API layer to build.

Your schema lives in TypeScript code alongside your query and mutation functions. Convex validates your schema at deploy time and gives you full type safety from database to frontend.

The free tier offers 1M function calls and 1GB of storage. Paid plans begin at $25/month.

Drizzle Overview

Drizzle is a TypeScript ORM that generates SQL from TypeScript code. It supports PostgreSQL, MySQL, and SQLite, and it is designed to be lightweight, type-safe, and close to the SQL you would write by hand. Unlike heavier ORMs, Drizzle does not abstract away SQL. It embraces it.

You define your schema in TypeScript, and Drizzle generates the corresponding SQL types and query builders. The queries it produces are predictable, and you can always see the raw SQL being executed. It also includes Drizzle Kit for migrations and Drizzle Studio for browsing your data.

Drizzle is free and open source. You only pay for whatever database you connect it to.

Comparison Table

Feature	Convex	Drizzle
Type	Backend platform	TypeScript ORM
Database	Built-in (document)	BYO (Postgres, MySQL, SQLite)
Query Style	TypeScript functions	SQL-like TypeScript builders
Real-time	Built-in	Not included (add yourself)
Server Functions	Built-in	Not included (use your own)
Migrations	Automatic	Drizzle Kit (manual or push)
Price	Free tier, then $25/mo	Free (open source)
Database Choice	Convex only	Postgres, MySQL, SQLite
Data Model	Document	Relational
Type Safety	End-to-end	Schema to query
Vendor Lock-in	High	None
Hosting	Managed by Convex	You manage (or use a managed DB)

When to Pick Convex

Choose Convex when you want to eliminate as many infrastructure decisions as possible. If you are a solo developer who wants to go from idea to deployed product without setting up a database, writing API routes, or configuring a deployment pipeline, Convex handles all of it.

The real-time reactivity is genuinely useful for apps that need live updates. Instead of polling or setting up WebSockets, your React components automatically re-render when data changes. For collaborative tools, dashboards, or social features, this saves significant development time.

Convex is also the right choice if you are building a frontend-heavy app and want your backend to feel like an extension of your frontend code. The tight integration between Convex functions and React hooks makes the boundary between client and server almost invisible.

When to Pick Drizzle

Choose Drizzle when you want full control over your database and hosting while still getting a great TypeScript developer experience. If you prefer relational data modeling with proper joins and transactions, and you want to see the actual SQL your app generates, Drizzle gives you that transparency.

Drizzle shines when you already have a database you like. Maybe you are using Neon, Supabase, Turso, PlanetScale, or a self-hosted PostgreSQL instance. Drizzle connects to all of them and gives you type-safe queries without forcing you onto a specific platform.

It is also the better choice for solo developers who want zero vendor lock-in. Drizzle is open source, works with standard databases, and your schema definitions double as documentation for your data model. If you need to switch ORMs or drop down to raw SQL later, the migration path is clean.

Cost is another factor. Drizzle itself is free. Pair it with a free-tier database like Neon or Turso and your total database cost is zero for a long time.

Verdict

Convex and Drizzle solve the problem at different levels. Convex replaces your database, your API layer, and your real-time infrastructure. Drizzle replaces just the query layer and leaves the rest up to you.

For solo developers who want maximum speed and minimal ops, Convex gets you to a working product faster. For solo developers who want flexibility, control, and the ability to choose their own database, Drizzle with a managed database provider is the more versatile foundation. Both deliver excellent TypeScript experiences, which is what matters most when you are the only one reading the code.