Convex alternatives: 6 open-source picks
These 6 Convex alternatives replace it for $0, led by Supabase, Appwrite and Nhost. All 6 are open source. License, stars and last commit checked by hand on 2026-08-29. No trials, no crippled tiers.
Database, functions, realtime, files, and auth in one self-hosted stack; SQL replaces Convex's document model.
licenseApache-2.0
runsyour machine or their cloud
installHosted Supabase project, or the official Docker Compose stack; `supabase start` runs the local stack
dataRelational data, auth records, and platform metadata live in PostgreSQL; Realtime consumes the Postgres replication stream; object data lives in the configured storage backend with metadata in Postgres; edge-function and migration source stays in project files. Supabase Cloud stores and operates the managed copy.
the catch vs ConvexSupabase replaces Convex's document/function runtime with PostgreSQL, SQL migrations, row-level security, and separate services, so the application architecture must be rewritten rather than simply moved.
setupSelf-hosting is not 'just Postgres': the Compose stack needs many secrets and services, plus SMTP, object storage, TLS, backups, observability, and coordinated upgrades.
facts verified 2026-08-10
Auth, database, storage, realtime, and functions behind one polished console; the Compose file is doing a lot.
licenseBSD-3-Clause
runsyour machine or their cloud
installHosted Appwrite Cloud signup, or the official Docker installer/Compose stack
dataSelf-hosted Appwrite stores application records in MariaDB, queues and cache in Redis, and uploaded files in Docker volumes or a configured object-storage adapter; functions and build artifacts are managed by the Appwrite worker/executor services. Appwrite Cloud stores the equivalent data in Appwrite's infrastructure.
the catch vs ConvexAppwrite supplies the backend pieces but not Convex's end-to-end reactive TypeScript query model, automatic dependency tracking, transactional functions, or client cache semantics.
setupThe installer is one command, but it expands into a large multi-container platform; production use still needs a domain, TLS, SMTP, storage, backups, and careful version upgrades.
facts verified 2026-08-10
Postgres plus GraphQL, auth, storage, functions, and realtime; closer to Firebase than most Firebase alternatives.
licenseMIT
runsyour machine or their cloud
installHosted Nhost project, or Nhost CLI/Docker for local and self-hosted deployments
dataApplication and auth records live in PostgreSQL, GraphQL metadata and migrations can live beside the project in version-controlled files, uploaded objects use S3-compatible storage, and serverless-function source remains in the project directory. Nhost Cloud runs those services in Nhost's infrastructure.
the catch vs ConvexNhost's PostgreSQL-and-GraphQL model is conventional and powerful, but it does not reproduce Convex's reactive functions, automatic cache invalidation, or unified TypeScript data model.
setupSelf-hosting means operating PostgreSQL, Hasura, authentication, storage, functions, networking, secrets, email, and upgrades rather than one small binary.
facts verified 2026-08-10
Self-hostable PaaS that deploys apps, databases, and services to your own servers via Docker with one-click setup
licenseApache-2.0
runsyour server
setupnot verified by us yet — check the repo README
facts verified 2026-08-29
Open-source PaaS using Docker/Traefik to deploy apps, Compose stacks, and databases across one or many servers
licenseApache-2.0
runsyour server
setupnot verified by us yet — check the repo README
facts verified 2026-08-29
Minimal Heroku-like PaaS powered by Docker: git push to deploy on a single VPS with buildpacks
licenseMIT
runsyour server
setupnot verified by us yet — check the repo README
facts verified 2026-08-29
What each one is, in full: Supabase · Appwrite · Nhost · Coolify · Dokploy · Dokku
last updated 2026-08-29 · no votes, no pay-to-list · just what's real
the usual suspects · recommended everywhere, rejected here
PocketBaseDatabase, realtime, files, and auth fit in one binary, but there is no server-side functions runtime.
how to choose a Convex alternative
Easiest to get running
Coolify — a one-click install, no server to maintain.
Most proven
Supabase, with 107,608 GitHub stars — the largest community of the 6, which usually means more answers when something breaks.
Needs real ops to self-host
Supabase and Nhost are capable but expect someone to run a server, updates and backups. Budget for that before choosing one.
what you give up by leaving Convex
- 24-hour operations and support
- managed global infrastructure
- multi-region failover
- DDoS protection and compliance
None of the picks above covers all of it. The full verdict says which gaps matter.
Convex alternatives at a glance
| tool | license | running it | platforms | stars | active |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Supabase | Apache-2.0 | self-host, real ops | web, self-hosted, cli | 107,608 | 2026-08 |
| Appwrite | BSD-3-Clause | docker to self-host | web, self-hosted | 56,789 | 2026-08 |
| Nhost | MIT | self-host, real ops | web, self-hosted, cli | 9,266 | 2026-08 |
| Coolify | Apache-2.0 | one-click install | self-hosted, web | 45,000 | 2026-08 |
| Dokploy | Apache-2.0 | one-click install | self-hosted, web | 33,000 | 2026-08 |
| Dokku | MIT | docker to self-host | self-hosted, web | 30,000 | 2026-08 |
why people still pay for Convex
Convex: Managed hosting sells a failure domain, on-call team, network, backups, and capacity planning, not merely a deploy button.
questions about switching from Convex
Is there an open-source alternative to Convex?
Yes: Supabase, Appwrite, Nhost and 3 more. Every tool on this page is open source: no trials, no crippled tiers.
Can open source really replace Convex?
Our verdict is YES. Supabase (108k stars), Appwrite (57k stars), Coolify (45k stars) are mature open-source replacements for Convex — self-host with real ops work and stop paying. The full verdict, and what you give up by switching, is at caniopensourceit.online/convex.
What is the easiest open-source Convex alternative to set up?
Coolify — a one-click install, no server to maintain.
What is the most popular open-source Convex alternative?
By GitHub stars, Supabase (107,608). Appwrite is next with 56,789.
