Skip to content
← Back to dictionary
Convex preview

Convex

Reactive backend with built-in database and real-time sync. Zero config.

Lv.2 TweakerFree tierDatabase

In plain English

Like a Google Doc for your app's data. When one person makes a change, everyone else sees it instantly — no refreshing, no waiting. The data just stays in sync across all screens automatically.

Real-world example

You're building a kanban board like Trello. When someone moves a task card from 'To Do' to 'Done', every teammate looking at the board sees it move in real-time. Convex handles all that syncing for you.

Where this fits in your project

This is a reactive backend — database + serverless functions + real-time sync. Everything in one place.

Idea & Planning
Prototyping
Frontend / UI
Backend / API
Database & Storage
Authentication
Deploy & Hosting
Polish & DX
Scale & Optimize

When to use this

When you want a backend that updates your UI in real-time automatically. No polling, no WebSocket setup. Data changes → UI updates instantly.

The situation

You're building a collaborative app, chat, or anything where multiple users see changes in real-time.

Good for

  • + Real-time apps
  • + Chat apps
  • + Collaborative tools
  • + Dashboards that need live data

Not ideal for

  • - Simple CRUD apps that don't need real-time
  • - When you need raw SQL access

Getting started

Run `npm create convex@latest` and follow the setup wizard.

Alternatives

Supabase + Realtime (more manual)Firebase (Google's equivalent)Liveblocks (for collaborative features only)