PicoBase vs Convex

All the Reactivity, None of the Boilerplate

Realtime data without schema files, server functions, or third-party auth.

Convex offers powerful reactive queries, but requires you to define schemas, write server-side functions, and bring your own auth provider. PicoBase gives you realtime data, built-in auth, and auto-creating collections with a standard REST API.

What is Convex?

Convex is a reactive backend platform that provides a document database with automatic realtime updates, server functions, and file storage. It uses a custom query language and requires schema definitions and server-side query/mutation functions. Auth requires a third-party integration like Clerk or Auth0.

See the Difference in Code

Compare how common tasks look in PicoBase vs Convex

Initialize the Client

PicoBase
import { createClient } from '@picobase_app/client'

// Zero config — reads from env
const pb = createClient()
Convex
// convex/_generated/api.js is auto-generated
import { ConvexProvider, ConvexReactClient }
  from 'convex/react'

const convex = new ConvexReactClient(
  'https://your-deployment.convex.cloud'
)

// Must wrap app in provider
<ConvexProvider client={convex}>
  <App />
</ConvexProvider>

Create a Record

PicoBase
// Collection auto-creates on first write
const post = await pb
  .collection('posts')
  .create({ title: 'Hello', published: true })
Convex
// Must define schema + mutation first
// convex/schema.ts
import { defineSchema, defineTable }
  from 'convex/server'
import { v } from 'convex/values'

export default defineSchema({
  posts: defineTable({
    title: v.string(),
    published: v.boolean(),
  }),
})

// convex/posts.ts
export const create = mutation({
  args: { title: v.string(), published: v.boolean() },
  handler: async (ctx, args) => {
    return await ctx.db.insert('posts', args)
  },
})

// Client code
await convex.mutation(api.posts.create, {
  title: 'Hello', published: true
})

Query with Filters

PicoBase
const posts = await pb
  .collection('posts')
  .getList(1, 20, {
    filter: 'published = true',
    sort: '-created',
  })
Convex
// Must define query function first
// convex/posts.ts
export const list = query({
  handler: async (ctx) => {
    return await ctx.db
      .query('posts')
      .filter(q => q.eq(q.field('published'), true))
      .order('desc')
      .take(20)
  },
})

// Client code
const posts = useQuery(api.posts.list)

Authentication

PicoBase
// Built-in, no third party needed
await pb.auth.signUp({
  email: 'user@example.com',
  password: 'secure123',
})

await pb.auth.signIn({
  email: 'user@example.com',
  password: 'secure123',
})
Convex
// Requires Clerk, Auth0, or custom integration
// Example with Clerk:
import { ClerkProvider } from '@clerk/nextjs'

// Wrap app
<ClerkProvider>
  <ConvexProviderWithClerk client={convex}>
    <App />
  </ConvexProviderWithClerk>
</ClerkProvider>

// No built-in email/password auth

Feature Comparison

How PicoBase stacks up against Convex

FeaturePicoBaseConvex

Setup & DX

Zero-config start
Auto-creating collections
No custom query language
TypeScript SDK
React hooks
Works with AI coding tools

Database

Relational database
Document-based database
Realtime by default
REST API
Server-side queries
ACID transactions

Auth

Built-in auth
OAuth providers
Via Clerk/Auth0
Drop-in auth UI
Via integration
No third-party auth required

Infrastructure

Managed hosting
File storage
Server functions
Scheduled jobs
Open source
Self-hostable
Per-tenant isolation

Pricing

Free tier
Paid from
$7/mo
$25/mo
Predictable pricing

Why Developers Choose PicoBase

No Custom Query Language

Convex requires you to learn its own query builder and define server-side query/mutation functions. PicoBase uses simple, familiar filter strings you can write inline.

Built-In Authentication

Convex has no built-in auth — you must integrate Clerk, Auth0, or roll your own. PicoBase ships with email/password and OAuth out of the box.

No Schema Boilerplate

Convex requires a schema definition file and separate query/mutation functions before you can read or write data. PicoBase collections auto-create on first write.

Self-Hostable & Open Source

PicoBase is fully open source and can be self-hosted anywhere. Convex is a proprietary, cloud-only platform with no self-hosting option.

Standard REST API

PicoBase exposes a REST API for every collection, usable from any language or tool. Convex requires its own client libraries and server functions.

Simpler Pricing

PicoBase has flat, predictable plans starting at $7/mo. Convex pricing is usage-based and starts at $25/mo for the Pro plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about PicoBase vs Convex

How does PicoBase compare to Convex for realtime?

Both platforms support realtime data. Convex makes every query reactive by default through its custom query system. PicoBase uses WebSocket subscriptions you can add to any collection. The key difference is PicoBase doesn't require you to write server-side query functions — you subscribe directly from the client.

Does PicoBase require a third-party auth provider?

No. PicoBase ships with built-in email/password authentication and OAuth provider support. Convex has no built-in auth and requires you to integrate Clerk, Auth0, or another third-party auth service, adding cost and complexity.

Can I self-host PicoBase unlike Convex?

Yes. PicoBase is fully open source and self-hostable as a single binary. Convex is a proprietary cloud-only platform with no self-hosting option, creating vendor lock-in.

Why doesn't PicoBase use a custom query language?

PicoBase uses simple filter strings (e.g., 'published = true') and a REST API, which means any developer or AI tool can use it immediately. Convex's custom query builder requires learning a new API and writing server-side functions for every data access pattern.

Is PicoBase good for React apps like Convex?

Yes. PicoBase has a dedicated React package (@picobase_app/react) with hooks like useCollection and useAuth, plus a PicoBaseProvider component. You get the same React-first developer experience without the schema boilerplate.

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