What will I learn from this tool-comparisons tutorial?

Comparing Convex and MySQL 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 MySQL for Solo Developers

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

Convex vs MySQL for Solo Developers

Comparing Convex and MySQL for solo developers.

Quick Comparison

Feature	Convex	MySQL
Type	Reactive backend platform (database + functions + realtime)	Traditional relational database (SQL)
Pricing	Free tier (1M calls), then $25/mo	Free (open source), hosted from ~$5/mo
Learning Curve	Moderate (new paradigm)	Easy (most-taught database in the world)
Best For	Realtime React apps without a separate backend	Any application that needs a relational database
Solo Dev Rating	8/10	7/10

Convex Overview

Convex is a full backend platform built for modern web applications. It includes a document database, server-side functions, file storage, scheduled tasks, and automatic realtime data synchronization. You write your backend as TypeScript functions, and the platform handles hosting, scaling, and pushing data updates to connected clients.

For solo developers, Convex is a shortcut. Instead of setting up a database, building an API server, configuring WebSockets, and managing deployment, you write functions and call them from your frontend. The React hooks handle subscriptions. The TypeScript types flow end-to-end. You ship features instead of infrastructure.

The free tier covers 1 million function calls, 1 GB database storage, and 1 GB file storage per month.

MySQL Overview

MySQL is one of the oldest and most popular relational databases. It powers everything from WordPress blogs to enterprise applications. You write SQL to create tables, insert data, and query it. The syntax is standardized, well-documented, and taught in every database course.

For solo developers, MySQL is a proven choice. It works with every major programming language and framework. You can run it locally for development, host it on a $5 VPS for production, or use managed services like PlanetScale, Railway, or AWS RDS. The tooling ecosystem is mature, with GUI clients, migration tools, and ORMs available for every stack.

MySQL is free and open source. You can self-host it indefinitely without paying for a license. For solo developers on a tight budget, this is a significant advantage.

Head-to-Head Comparison

Criteria	Convex	MySQL
Data Model	Document (JSON-like)	Relational (SQL tables with strict schema)
Query Language	TypeScript functions	SQL
Realtime	Automatic (reactive subscriptions)	None (poll or external tool)
Backend Functions	Included	None (separate API needed)
Type Safety	Full (schema to frontend)	ORM-dependent
Self-Hosting	No	Yes
Free Tier	1M calls, 1 GB storage	Unlimited (self-host)
Joins	Not supported (document model)	Full SQL joins
Transactions	Supported	Full ACID transactions
Ecosystem	Small (TypeScript/React focused)	Massive (30+ years of tooling)
Hosting Options	Convex cloud only	Anywhere (self-host, PlanetScale, RDS, etc.)

When to Pick Convex

Pick Convex when you are building a React application and you want to avoid building a separate backend. If your project is a dashboard, a collaborative tool, a project management app, or anything where the frontend is the primary interface, Convex lets you write your entire backend as TypeScript functions and skip the API server entirely.

It is the right choice when realtime matters. If users need to see data changes instantly without refreshing, Convex's reactive queries handle this with zero additional code. Building the same feature with MySQL requires WebSockets, a pub/sub system, and manual cache invalidation.

Choose Convex when you prioritize development speed over long-term flexibility. The trade-off is vendor lock-in. Your Convex functions and data model do not transfer to another platform. But if your goal is to validate an idea fast and iterate quickly, that trade-off can be worth it.

When to Pick MySQL

Pick MySQL when you need a relational database that works with any tech stack. MySQL does not care if your frontend is React, Vue, Svelte, or a mobile app. It does not care if your backend is Node.js, Python, Go, Java, or PHP. It just stores and queries data.

It is the right choice when your data model is relational and you need complex queries. Joining multiple tables, running aggregations, using subqueries, and enforcing foreign key constraints are all things SQL was designed for. Convex's document model cannot replicate this.

Choose MySQL when cost control matters. You can run MySQL on a $5 VPS indefinitely. There is no metered pricing, no function call limits, and no risk of a surprise bill. For solo developers who want predictable costs, self-hosted MySQL is hard to beat.

MySQL also makes sense when you want to keep your options open. Your data lives in a standard SQL database that any tool can connect to. If you want to switch ORMs, frameworks, or hosting providers, MySQL goes with you.

The Verdict

Convex and MySQL serve different developer profiles. Convex is for React developers who want a complete backend platform with realtime features and minimal setup. MySQL is for developers who want a reliable, flexible relational database that works with anything.

For solo developers building React web applications where realtime data sync matters, Convex saves significant development time. You trade flexibility and vendor independence for speed and simplicity.

For solo developers building applications that need complex relational queries, work with multiple frontends, or require long-term portability, MySQL is the more practical choice. It has been reliable for over 25 years and it will be reliable for 25 more.

If you are unsure, consider what your application needs most. If it needs live collaboration and you want to ship fast, try Convex. If it needs complex data queries and you want maximum flexibility, go with MySQL and an ORM like Drizzle or Prisma. Both paths lead to a working product, but they optimize for different things.