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AppwritevsConvex

Reactive everywhere. Open by design._

Convex makes database queries reactive in TypeScript. Appwrite streams realtime events from every service, runs functions in 13+ runtimes, and ships auth, storage, hosting, and messaging in one platform. And unlike Convex, Appwrite is fully open source.

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realtime.subscribe(channels, onEvent)
1 socket, every service
DatabasesStorageFunctionsAuthTeams
  • Databasesdatabases.main.tables.tasks.rows.*.update
  • Storagebuckets.avatars.files.*.create
  • Functionsfunctions.summarize.executions.*.update
  • Authusers.*.sessions.*.create
  • Teamsteams.acme.memberships.*.create
  • Databasesdatabases.main.tables.comments.rows.*.create
  • Functionsfunctions.thumbnail.executions.*.create
  • Storagebuckets.exports.files.*.update
  • Databasesdatabases.main.tables.tasks.rows.*.update
  • Storagebuckets.avatars.files.*.create
  • Functionsfunctions.summarize.executions.*.update
  • Authusers.*.sessions.*.create
  • Teamsteams.acme.memberships.*.create
  • Databasesdatabases.main.tables.comments.rows.*.create
  • Functionsfunctions.thumbnail.executions.*.create
  • Storagebuckets.exports.files.*.update

Functions_

Write backend logic in the language you already use_

Pick Python for AI libraries, Go for throughput, or Dart to share code with your Flutter app. Every Appwrite function can call external APIs, run on a schedule, react to platform events, or serve HTTP.

src/main.pyAppwrite Functions
import requests

def main(context):
    rate = requests.get("https://api.example.com/fx")
    return context.res.json(rate.json())

Convex server functions are TypeScript and JavaScript only, and only actions can call external APIs.

License_

Appwrite is open source. Convex is not._

Appwrite is fully open source, so you can read, run, and change every line. Convex is source-available under the Functional Source License, which is not an open source license and comes with usage restrictions.

Appwrite

Open source

OSI approved, free to self-host

57.6K GitHub stars800+ Contributors

Convex

Not open source

FSL-1.1 · Source-available

The Functional Source License is not approved by the Open Source Initiative and restricts how you can use the code for two years after each release.

OSI-approved open source license
Yes
No
Self-hosting support
Official guides, same Console as Cloud
Community support on Discord
Auth, hosting, and messaging when self-hosted
Yes
No

Databases_

More than one way to model your data_

Convex stores everything as documents on its own serverless database. Appwrite gives you five database models in one project: TablesDB on serverless or dedicated compute, plus DocumentsDB, VectorsDB, PostgreSQL, and MySQL on dedicated compute.

Database models in one Appwrite project
5
Convex: Convex database
1
AppwriteConvex

  • TablesDB

    Relational tables

    ServerlessDedicated

    Convex: Not offered

  • DocumentsDBBeta

    JSON documents

    Dedicated

    Convex

    Convex database

    Serverless only

  • VectorsDBBeta

    Vectors and embeddings

    Dedicated

    Convex: Not offered

  • PostgreSQLBeta

    Native SQL

    Dedicated

    Convex: Not offered

  • MySQLBeta

    Native SQL

    Dedicated

    Convex: Not offered

Vector search runs over the same document tables, and only from actions.

One platform_

A reactive database is a start. Appwrite is the whole backend._

Convex covers data and TypeScript functions. Appwrite adds first-party sign-in, file storage, PostgreSQL, web hosting, messaging, domains, and a firewall, all wired to the same realtime events.

10
Appwrite products in one project
5
Not offered by Convex

Team pricing_

Your team grows. Your plan does not._

Convex Professional is priced per developer. Appwrite Pro covers your whole organization with unlimited members, so adding a teammate is free.

Convex Professional

$200/mo

$25 per developer, 8 developers

Appwrite Pro

$25/mo

From $25/mo, unlimited members

Appwrite vs Convex_

Everything Convex does, in more languages_

Two very different takes on a modern backend, side by side.

Checked against public pricing and documentation in October 2026.

Appwrite
Convex
Platform
Open source
Yes
No
License
Open source

OSI approved

FSL-1.1

Source-available, not open source

Self-hosting
Yes

Same APIs, SDKs, and Console as Cloud

Partial

Community support only

Frontend hosting
Yes
No
Email, SMS, and push messaging
Yes
No

Through third-party services

MCP server for AI agents
Yes
Yes
Data and realtime
Database models
5

Tables, documents, vectors, PostgreSQL, MySQL

1

Documents, optional schema

Serverless or dedicated databases
Yes

Serverless TablesDB, or dedicated compute for any engine

No

Serverless only

Realtime coverage
Every service

Rows, files, executions, sessions, teams

Query results

Reactive database queries

Vector search
Yes

VectorsDB or pgvector

Partial

From actions only, results are not reactive

Managed PostgreSQL and MySQL
Yes
No
Auth and compute
First-party authentication
Yes

MFA, teams, 40+ OAuth providers

Partial

Convex Auth is in beta, third-party providers recommended

Server languages
13+ runtimes

Node.js, Python, Go, Dart, PHP, and more

TypeScript and JavaScript
Calling external APIs
From any function
From actions only
Scheduled jobs
Yes
Yes
Pricing
Paid plan
From $25/mo

Unlimited members

$25 per developer per month
Realtime is billed as
Connections and messages

500 connections and 6M messages on Pro

Function calls

Subscription updates count as calls

Fair play_

When Convex might still fit_

Convex has a thoughtful developer experience and a loyal community. It may suit you better if these ring true.

  1. 01

    Reactive UI drives your product and you prefer Convex's built-in reactivity over wiring Realtime yourself.

    That path trades flexibility for speed: more abstraction, and less room to mix databases, auth, and hosting on your own terms.

  2. 02

    You picked Convex before you evaluated Appwrite, and migrating this project is not worth the effort right now.

  3. 03

    Your team is mid-ship on Convex and would rather finish the current roadmap than replatform.

Why developers choose Appwrite over Convex_

For most teams, yes. Appwrite gives you realtime on every service, first-party Auth with MFA and teams, functions in 13+ runtimes, storage, messaging, and web hosting in one open-source platform. Convex focuses on reactive queries in TypeScript and leaves auth, hosting, and messaging to other services.

Go deeper_

See why teams make the switch_

Guides, deep dives, and product pages from the Appwrite team.

BlogAppwrite vs Convex for AI apps and agent workflowsAuth, data model, and function boundaries compared.ProductAppwrite RealtimeLive events from every service over one socket.ProductAppwrite FunctionsAPIs, cron jobs, and event handlers in 13+ runtimes.ProductAppwrite AuthEmail, OAuth, SMS, MFA, teams, and sessions.DocsFunction runtimesEvery supported language and version.

Compare_

See how Appwrite stacks up elsewhere_

Appwrite vsSupabasePostgres development platformHosting, messaging, and permissions without SQL policies.Appwrite vsFirebaseApp development platformOpen source, self-hostable, and a free migration path.Appwrite vsVercelFrontend cloudFrontend hosting with the backend in the same project.Appwrite vsNetlifyWeb hosting platformYour site and its backend, in one project.Appwrite vsNeonServerless PostgresPostgres plus the whole backend around it.Appwrite vsAuth0Identity platform3x the free monthly active users and no growth penalty.Appwrite vsCloudinaryMedia platformPay per origin image, not per variant.Appwrite vsClerkUser management and authenticationUsers and data in one place, no webhooks to sync.Appwrite vsAWS AmplifyFull-stack framework on AWSOne project instead of a stack of AWS services.Appwrite vsPlanetScaleManaged MySQL and PostgresPostgres and MySQL, plus the backend around them.PricingOne plan for your whole backend and hosting.Compare plans

Build reactive apps on an open platform_

Realtime on every service, functions in 13+ runtimes, and auth and hosting included from day one.

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