Convex vs Prisma for Solo Developers

Quick Comparison

Convex Overview

Convex is not just a database. It's an entire backend platform. You get a reactive database, server functions, file storage, scheduled jobs, and real-time subscriptions, all in one package. Your frontend subscribes to data queries, and when the underlying data changes, the UI updates automatically. No WebSocket setup, no polling, no manual cache invalidation.

The TypeScript-first approach is a strength. You write your server functions in TypeScript, define your schema in TypeScript, and the generated client gives you end-to-end type safety from database to frontend. Change a field in your schema, and TypeScript errors appear everywhere that field is used. It's impressive.

I've been intrigued by Convex for real-time features. Building collaborative apps, live dashboards, or chat systems with Convex means you skip the entire real-time infrastructure setup. Data changes propagate to connected clients automatically. For a solo developer, not having to build and maintain WebSocket servers is a massive time savings.

The free tier is usable for real projects. The $25/mo Pro plan scales with you. And the developer experience, from the CLI to the dashboard to the documentation, is polished.

Prisma Overview

Prisma is the most popular TypeScript ORM. You define your models in a .prisma schema, generate a typed client, and query your database with full autocomplete and type safety. It supports PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite, MongoDB, and CockroachDB.

Prisma is a tool, not a platform. It handles one thing well: type-safe database access. It doesn't host your data, doesn't run server functions, doesn't handle file storage. You pair it with a database (Neon, Supabase, PlanetScale) and a backend framework (Next.js API routes, Express, Hono). You assemble the stack yourself.

The maturity shows. Documentation is excellent. The community is huge. Prisma Studio for visual browsing is unique. The migration system is battle-tested. For solo developers building traditional request-response APIs, Prisma is a proven choice.

Key Differences

Platform vs tool is the core distinction. Convex gives you the database, server functions, file storage, and real-time subscriptions as one integrated platform. Prisma gives you one piece (the ORM) and you choose everything else. Convex is a fully set table. Prisma is a really good fork.

Real-time is where Convex shines uniquely. With Prisma, adding real-time means setting up WebSockets, managing subscriptions, handling reconnections, and invalidating caches. With Convex, real-time is the default. Every query is reactive. This is a massive difference for applications that need live data: collaborative tools, dashboards, chat, notifications.

Vendor lock-in is the Convex tradeoff. Prisma is open source and works with any SQL database. You can switch from Neon to Supabase to a self-hosted Postgres and your Prisma code stays the same. Convex is proprietary. Your server functions, queries, and data model are all Convex-specific. If Convex raises prices or shuts down, migration is a full rewrite.

Query language differs fundamentally. Prisma generates SQL under the hood. Your queries eventually become SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE statements. Convex uses its own query language and execution model. Your SQL knowledge doesn't transfer to Convex. If you've spent years learning SQL, Prisma leverages that investment. Convex asks you to learn something new.

Server functions replace your API layer in Convex. With Prisma, you write API routes in Express, Next.js, or Hono, then use Prisma to query the database inside those routes. With Convex, the server functions ARE your API. Queries and mutations run on Convex's infrastructure. You skip the backend framework entirely. For solo developers who find backend setup tedious, this is liberating.

Flexibility vs speed tradeoff. Prisma + a custom backend gives you infinite flexibility. You control the server, the deployment, the caching, everything. Convex gives you less control but much faster development. For MVPs and side projects where speed matters most, Convex wins. For applications that need custom infrastructure, Prisma's approach is better.

Pricing at scale. Prisma is always free (ORM layer). Your database host costs money, but you choose the provider. Convex is free to start, $25/mo for Pro, and scales from there. At high usage, Convex can get expensive because you're paying for compute, storage, and bandwidth in one bill. With Prisma + self-hosted Postgres, your scaling costs are more controllable.

When to Choose Convex

• You're building a real-time application (collaborative tools, chat, live dashboards)
• You want to skip backend infrastructure setup entirely
• Speed to MVP matters more than long-term flexibility
• You're comfortable with vendor lock-in for faster development
• You want TypeScript end-to-end with reactive data

When to Choose Prisma

• You want full control over your backend architecture
• You prefer SQL databases and want to use your SQL knowledge
• Avoiding vendor lock-in is important to you
• You're building a traditional request-response API
• You want to pair your ORM with any database provider you choose

The Verdict

Both earn 8/10 for solo developers, but for very different reasons.

Choose Convex if you're building something real-time and you want to ship as fast as possible. The integrated platform means you write server functions and frontend queries, and everything else (real-time sync, caching, scaling) is handled for you. For side projects, MVPs, and applications where live data is central, Convex can save you weeks of development time.

Choose Prisma if you want maximum control and flexibility. Pair it with Neon or Supabase for the database, Next.js or Hono for the API, and you have a stack you fully understand and control. No vendor lock-in, your SQL skills transfer, and you can optimize every layer.

My take: for your first project or an MVP, Convex's speed is hard to beat. For your primary product or a project you expect to maintain for years, Prisma's flexibility and the broader ecosystem give you more room to grow. Use the right tool for the phase you're in.