Convex vs Redis for Solo Developers

Quick Comparison

Convex Overview

Convex is a backend platform that bundles a document database, server functions, file storage, and realtime subscriptions into a single system. You write your backend logic as TypeScript functions. Queries automatically subscribe to data changes. When a mutation updates a document, every connected client running a query that touches that document gets the new data pushed to it. No WebSocket setup, no cache invalidation logic, no polling.

For solo developers, the appeal is obvious. You skip building an API layer entirely. Define your data schema, write query and mutation functions, and call them from your React frontend. The type safety flows from your schema definition through your functions to your components. Everything stays in sync automatically.

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

Redis Overview

Redis is an in-memory data structure store. It supports strings, lists, sets, sorted sets, hashes, streams, and more. The primary use case is caching and fast data access. Data lives in memory, so reads and writes are measured in microseconds. Redis is one of the most widely used technologies in web development.

For solo developers, Redis serves as the supporting data layer. Your primary database (Postgres, MongoDB, etc.) stores your core application data. Redis handles the operational stuff: caching expensive queries, storing sessions, rate limiting API endpoints, managing job queues, and powering pub/sub messaging.

You can self-host Redis for free or use managed services like Upstash (serverless, HTTP-based) or Redis Cloud. Upstash's free tier gives you 10,000 commands per day, which is plenty for development.

Head-to-Head Comparison

When to Pick Convex

Pick Convex when you want a complete backend solution and your application needs realtime data sync. If you are building a collaborative editor, a live dashboard, a project management tool, or anything where users see updates as they happen, Convex handles the hardest part automatically.

It is the right choice when you are a solo React developer and you do not want to build a separate API server. Convex functions are your API. You write them in TypeScript, call them from your components, and they execute on Convex's infrastructure. No Express, no tRPC, no API routes to maintain.

Choose Convex when you want to move from idea to working product as fast as possible. The development loop is tight: change a function, see it update in your app immediately. For solo developers racing to validate an idea, this speed matters.

When to Pick Redis

Pick Redis when you already have a backend and database and you need a fast supporting data layer. Caching database queries so your API responds faster, storing user sessions without hitting your primary database, rate limiting endpoints to prevent abuse, and queuing background jobs are all Redis strengths.

It is the right choice when your needs are simple and specific. Redis does a few things extremely well. If you need a cache, Redis is the industry standard. If you need a job queue, Bull or BullMQ built on Redis are battle-tested. If you need pub/sub messaging, Redis handles it natively.

Choose Redis when you want a tool you can use with any stack. Redis works with Node.js, Python, Go, Java, Ruby, and every other major language. It does not care what your frontend looks like or what ORM you use. It fits into any architecture.

The Verdict

Convex and Redis solve fundamentally different problems, and comparing them directly is a bit like comparing a car to a bicycle. They are both useful, but for different situations.

Convex replaces your entire backend: database, API, and realtime infrastructure. Redis supplements your existing backend with fast data operations.

If you are starting a new project and you want the fastest path to a working reactive application, Convex eliminates a lot of backend work. You can build a complete full-stack app without ever setting up an API server, and the realtime features come free.

If you already have a backend and need to make it faster or add operational features like caching and job queues, Redis is the right tool. It has been solving these problems reliably for over 15 years.

Most mature applications end up using both a primary database (or backend platform like Convex) and Redis. But as a solo developer starting out, pick the one that solves your most pressing problem. If that problem is "I need a complete backend quickly," look at Convex. If that problem is "my API is slow and I need caching," look at Redis.