CockroachDB
Convex
| Feature | CockroachDB | Convex |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free / from $0/mo | Free / from $25/mo |
| Free Plan | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Rating | 4.3 / 5 | 4.5 / 5 |
| Best For | distributed-applications, fintech, global-companies, high-availability-apps | full-stack-developers, real-time-apps, startups, rapid-prototyping |
| Founded | 2015 | 2021 |
| Distributed Sql | ✓ | ✗ |
| Multi Region | ✓ | ✗ |
| Auto Scaling | ✓ | ✗ |
| Postgresql Compatible | ✓ | ✗ |
| Backup Recovery | ✓ | ✗ |
| Change Data Capture | ✓ | ✗ |
| Multi Tenancy | ✓ | ✗ |
| Real Time Database | ✗ | ✓ |
| Serverless Functions | ✗ | ✓ |
| File Storage | ✗ | ✓ |
| Authentication | ✗ | ✓ |
| Scheduling | ✗ | ✓ |
| Vector Search | ✗ | ✓ |
✓ CockroachDB Pros
- Survives infrastructure failures automatically
- PostgreSQL-compatible wire protocol
- Horizontal scaling without application changes
- Multi-region deployment with low-latency reads
- Generous free tier (10 GiB storage)
✗ CockroachDB Cons
- Higher latency than single-node databases for simple queries
- Complex pricing model for serverless tier
- Some PostgreSQL features not fully supported
✓ Convex Pros
- Real-time by default
- TypeScript-first
- Built-in auth and file storage
- Automatic caching
✗ Convex Cons
- Vendor lock-in
- Newer platform
- Limited to Convex runtime
The Verdict
CockroachDB is built for distributed applications and fintech, with a focus on distributed-sql and multi-region. Convex targets full stack developers and real time apps and leads with real-time-database and serverless-functions.
On pricing, CockroachDB is the clear winner for budget-conscious users — starting at $0/mo compared to $25/mo for Convex. That $25/mo difference adds up quickly for growing teams.
Both offer free plans, so you can test each with your real workflow before committing to a subscription.
Feature-wise, CockroachDB offers broader built-in capabilities (7 features vs 6), while Convex takes a more focused approach — which can mean a simpler, faster onboarding experience.
This is a genuinely close comparison. If you can, sign up for both free trials (where available) and run a one-week test with your actual team tasks before deciding.