Convex vs Turso for Solo Developers

Convex and Turso both target developers who want managed databases without the ops overhead, but they sit at opposite ends of the philosophy spectrum. Convex gives you a full reactive backend. Turso gives you edge-distributed SQLite. Understanding that difference is the whole game.

I have shipped projects with both and they solve genuinely different problems despite both being "modern database platforms."

Convex Overview

Convex is a backend platform that combines a document database, server functions, file storage, and real-time subscriptions into one cohesive system. You write your backend logic in TypeScript, deploy it to Convex, and your frontend gets automatic reactivity. When data changes, every subscribed client updates instantly.

There is no SQL, no REST API to design, and no separate hosting to manage. Your schema is defined in code, and queries are TypeScript functions that run on Convex's servers.

The free tier includes 1M function calls and 1GB of database storage, which is enough to build and launch a real product.

Turso Overview

Turso is a distributed SQLite platform built on libSQL, an open-source fork of SQLite. It lets you create databases that replicate to edge locations worldwide, giving users fast reads from the nearest replica. You interact with it using standard SQL through their libSQL client libraries.

The core idea is simple: SQLite's simplicity and reliability, but available over the network and replicated globally. You get the familiar SQL interface with none of the "where do I host my database" complexity.

Turso's free tier is generous. You get 500 databases, 9GB of total storage, and 25M row reads per month. For a solo developer, that covers a lot of ground.

Comparison Table

When to Pick Convex

Choose Convex when you want the fastest possible development experience and your app benefits from real-time updates. If you are building a collaborative tool, a live dashboard, a chat feature, or anything where users need to see changes from other users immediately, Convex handles all of that out of the box.

It is also a good fit when you do not want to build a separate API layer. Convex acts as both your database and your backend, so you go from frontend component to database query in a single function call. For solo developers who want to minimize the number of systems they manage, this is a real advantage.

The TypeScript-first approach means everything is type-safe. Your IDE catches errors in your database queries before you even run them.

When to Pick Turso

Choose Turso when you need global read performance and your app is read-heavy. If you are building a content site, an API that serves data to users worldwide, or anything where low-latency reads matter more than real-time collaboration, Turso's edge replicas give you a genuine performance advantage.

Turso also wins if you value portability. Your data is SQLite-compatible. You can export it, run it locally, use it in tests with a plain SQLite file, or switch to another SQLite-based solution. There is no proprietary format locking you in.

The embedded replicas feature is unique. You can sync a Turso database to a local SQLite file in your application, giving you offline-capable reads with zero latency. This is powerful for desktop apps, mobile apps, or any scenario where connectivity is unreliable.

Verdict

These tools solve different problems. Convex is your best bet when you want a complete backend with real-time sync baked in and you are comfortable with a proprietary platform. Turso is the right choice when you need a globally distributed relational database with the simplicity and portability of SQLite.

For a typical SaaS app where collaboration and live updates matter, lean toward Convex. For a content-heavy application, an API serving global users, or a project where you want low vendor lock-in, Turso is the smarter pick. Both have generous free tiers, so you can try each one on a side project before committing.