Convex vs Supabase: Choosing the Right Backend

Building modern web and mobile applications almost always requires a reliable backend to handle data storage, authentication, real-time updates, and API access. Two tools that have recently gained strong traction in the developer community are Convex and Supabase.

While both serve as backends for application development, they differ significantly in approach, features, and ecosystem.

Let’s break down how they compare and where they fit best.

What is Convex?

Convex is a serverless backend platform designed to simplify state management and real-time application development. Unlike traditional database-as-a-service providers, Convex focuses on delivering an end-to-end backend with automatic reactivity, so developers can spend less time managing servers and APIs and more time focusing on user experience.

Key features of Convex:

• Reactive queries: Data updates automatically propagate to clients without extra setup.
• Serverless functions: Write backend logic directly in TypeScript/JavaScript.
• Built-in auth: Connect providers like Auth0 or Clerk with minimal setup.
• Zero-config scaling: No infrastructure overhead for handling traffic spikes.
• Developer-friendly SDKs: Native integrations with React, Next.js, and modern frameworks.

Convex shines when building real-time, interactive applications such as multiplayer apps, collaborative tools, or dashboards where instant updates matter most.

What is Supabase?

Supabase brands itself as the open-source alternative to Firebase, providing a full backend-as-a-service built on top of PostgreSQL. Its appeal lies in combining the robustness of SQL with developer-friendly APIs and modern features like authentication and storage.

Key features of Supabase:

• PostgreSQL database: A proven relational database at the core.
• Realtime support: Built-in subscriptions on database changes.
• Authentication & user management: Secure, with multiple login providers.
• Edge functions: Run serverless functions close to your users.
• Storage & APIs: REST and GraphQL APIs generated automatically.
• Self-hosting: Flexibility to run on your own infrastructure.

Supabase is a strong choice for developers who need a SQL-based backend with rich features, scalability, and open-source flexibility. It’s especially suited for startups building SaaS products or apps that require structured data and integrations.

Convex vs Supabase: key differences

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In short: Convex is better if your app requires realtime-first functionality out of the box, while Supabase is the better pick if you want SQL power, flexibility, and a broad ecosystem.

Where does UI Bakery fit In?

While Convex and Supabase provide the backend infrastructure, many teams also need a way to quickly build frontends, dashboards, or internal tools on top of that data. That’s where UI Bakery comes in.

UI Bakery is a low-code platform that lets developers and business teams build internal apps, CRMs, and admin panels much faster. It connects seamlessly to databases like PostgreSQL, MySQL, MongoDB, and APIs (including Supabase and Convex APIs).

Why consider UI Bakery as an alternative?

• AI-powered app generator: Build CRUD apps, dashboards, and forms from natural language prompts.
• Data integrations: Connect directly to your Supabase or Convex backend (and dozens more).
• On-prem & cloud: Enterprise-grade flexibility with SOC 2 compliance.
• Customizable UI: Build React/Tailwind-based interfaces without starting from scratch.
• Faster internal tool delivery: Perfect for companies needing admin dashboards, reporting systems, or customer support tools.

So if Convex and Supabase give you the backend, UI Bakery makes it easy to turn that backend into usable apps for your team or customers — without wasting months on frontend development.

Last thoughts

Both Convex and Supabase are excellent choices depending on your needs:

• Choose Convex if you prioritize reactivity, real-time collaboration, and minimal backend setup.
• Choose Supabase if you need SQL power, flexibility, and a scalable open-source solution.
• Use UI Bakery if your goal is to quickly build internal apps, dashboards, or admin tools on top of either backend.