Convex
Saleor
| Feature | Convex | Saleor |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free / from $25/mo | Free / from $300/mo |
| Free Plan | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Rating | 4.5 / 5 | 4.2 / 5 |
| Best For | full-stack-developers, real-time-apps, startups, rapid-prototyping | developer-teams, enterprise-ecommerce, multi-channel-retailers, graphql-enthusiasts |
| Founded | 2021 | 2018 |
| Real Time Database | ✓ | ✗ |
| Serverless Functions | ✓ | ✗ |
| File Storage | ✓ | ✗ |
| Authentication | ✓ | ✗ |
| Scheduling | ✓ | ✗ |
| Vector Search | ✓ | ✗ |
| Graphql Api | ✗ | ✓ |
| Multi Channel | ✗ | ✓ |
| Dashboard | ✗ | ✓ |
| Webhooks | ✗ | ✓ |
| Apps System | ✗ | ✓ |
| Warehouse Management | ✗ | ✓ |
| Promotions Engine | ✗ | ✓ |
✓ 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
✓ Saleor Pros
- GraphQL API-first architecture for modern frontends
- Enterprise features in free open-source edition
- Strong multi-channel commerce capabilities
- Built-in dashboard with excellent UX
✗ Saleor Cons
- Cloud hosting is expensive for startups
- Smaller community than Shopify/WooCommerce
- Self-hosting requires Python/Django expertise
The Verdict
Convex is built for full stack developers and real time apps, with a focus on real-time-database and serverless-functions. Saleor targets developer teams and enterprise ecommerce and leads with graphql-api and multi-channel.
On pricing, Convex is the clear winner for budget-conscious users — starting at $25/mo compared to $300/mo for Saleor. That $275/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, Saleor offers broader built-in capabilities (7 features vs 6), while Convex takes a more focused approach — which can mean a simpler, faster onboarding experience.
Bottom line: Convex has a slight overall edge — but if graphql api-first architecture for modern frontends matters most to you, Saleor may still be the right call.