Convex vs Neon for Solo Developers

Quick Comparison

Convex Overview

Convex is not just a database. It is a complete backend platform. You get a document database, serverless functions, file storage, scheduled jobs, and real-time subscriptions, all integrated into a single system with end-to-end TypeScript types. The idea is that you write your entire backend as Convex functions and the database, API layer, and real-time sync are handled for you.

The reactive model is what makes Convex unique. When you use a Convex query in your React component, it automatically subscribes to changes. If another user or a server function modifies the data your query depends on, your component re-renders with the new data. No manual refetching, no WebSocket configuration, no stale data. It just works.

For solo developers, this means you can build features that would normally require significant backend infrastructure (real-time collaboration, live feeds, presence indicators) with remarkably little code. The TypeScript types generated from your schema flow through your entire application, catching errors at compile time instead of in production.

The learning curve is the main barrier. Convex has its own way of doing things. Queries are functions, not SQL. The database is a document store, not relational. Pagination, indexing, and data modeling patterns differ from what you know if you come from PostgreSQL. The documentation is solid, but you are learning a new paradigm.

Neon Overview

Neon is serverless PostgreSQL with a few killer features. You get a standard Postgres database that scales to zero when idle (so you are not paying for compute when nobody is using your app), branches your database like Git (so you can test schema changes on a copy before applying them to production), and connects over HTTP or WebSockets for edge and serverless environments.

For solo developers, Neon solves the biggest pain point of managed PostgreSQL: cost. Traditional managed Postgres (RDS, Cloud SQL, even smaller providers) charges you for a running instance 24/7, even when nobody is hitting your database at 3 AM. Neon's serverless model scales to zero and only charges for the compute you actually use. The free tier includes 512 MB of storage and reasonable compute limits, which is more than enough for side projects and early-stage products.

I switched to Neon for a project that was costing me $15 per month on another provider just to sit idle most of the day. The savings were immediate. Cold starts are the tradeoff. The first query after the database has been idle takes a moment longer, but for most applications this is barely noticeable.

The database branching feature is quietly revolutionary. Before running a migration in production, you create a branch, test the migration there, verify everything works, and then apply it to your main database. It is the safety net every solo developer needs when there is nobody to review your schema changes.

When to Pick Convex

Convex is the right choice when you want a complete backend platform with real-time reactivity and minimal infrastructure management.

Pick Convex if:

• Your application needs real-time data sync (collaborative features, live dashboards)
• You want a complete backend, not just a database (functions, storage, scheduling included)
• End-to-end TypeScript type safety is a priority
• You are building with React or Next.js
• You prefer writing server functions over SQL queries
• You do not need the relational model (JOINs, complex queries)

Convex gives you more than a database. It gives you the entire backend layer, which means fewer services to manage and faster development velocity for the right type of application.

When to Pick Neon

Neon is the right choice when you want a standard, reliable PostgreSQL database with modern serverless conveniences.

Pick Neon if:

• You know PostgreSQL and want to keep using it
• You want a database that scales to zero and does not charge when idle
• Database branching for safe migrations appeals to you
• You are building with any framework or language (Neon is just Postgres)
• You need relational data modeling with JOINs, indexes, and constraints
• You want to use your favorite ORM (Prisma, Drizzle, SQLAlchemy, etc.)
• Portability matters, because you can migrate to any Postgres host anytime

Neon is PostgreSQL with better developer experience. No new paradigm to learn, just a smarter way to run the database you already trust.

The Verdict

Convex and Neon occupy very different positions in the backend tooling landscape. Convex is an opinionated, all-in-one platform that replaces your database, API layer, and real-time infrastructure. Neon is a focused, best-in-class PostgreSQL service that fits into any architecture you choose.

For most solo developers, Neon is the more versatile choice. PostgreSQL works with every framework, every ORM, every language. Your skills transfer directly. Your data model is portable. You can pair Neon with any backend framework (Django, Rails, Express, FastAPI) and any frontend. The serverless pricing means you only pay for what you use, and the branching feature makes database changes safer.

Choose Convex when real-time reactivity is a core product requirement and you are working in the TypeScript/React ecosystem. For these specific use cases, Convex delivers a better experience than bolting real-time features onto Postgres. Collaborative tools, live-updating dashboards, and multiplayer applications are where Convex truly shines.

If you are not sure which camp you fall into, start with Neon. It is the more conventional choice, and you can always reach for Convex when a project specifically calls for it. PostgreSQL has been the right answer for most applications for decades, and Neon makes it easier than ever to use.