Convex
Trigger.dev
| Feature | Convex | Trigger.dev |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free / from $25/mo | Free / from $0/mo |
| Free Plan | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Rating | 4.5 / 5 | 4.4 / 5 |
| Best For | full-stack-developers, real-time-apps, startups, rapid-prototyping | typescript-developers, saas-apps, background-processing, serverless-teams |
| Founded | 2021 | 2022 |
| Real Time Database | ✓ | ✗ |
| Serverless Functions | ✓ | ✗ |
| File Storage | ✓ | ✗ |
| Authentication | ✓ | ✗ |
| Scheduling | ✓ | ✗ |
| Vector Search | ✓ | ✗ |
| Background Jobs | ✗ | ✓ |
| Scheduled Tasks | ✗ | ✓ |
| Event Triggers | ✗ | ✓ |
| Retries | ✗ | ✓ |
| Observability | ✗ | ✓ |
| Concurrency Control | ✗ | ✓ |
| Self Hostable | ✗ | ✓ |
✓ 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
✓ Trigger.dev Pros
- Write background jobs in TypeScript (not YAML/config)
- Built-in retries, queues, and concurrency controls
- Excellent developer experience with type safety
- Open-source with self-hosting option
✗ Trigger.dev Cons
- TypeScript only (no Python/Go support)
- Cloud pricing based on compute time
- Newer platform with evolving API
The Verdict
Convex is built for full stack developers and real time apps, with a focus on real-time-database and serverless-functions. Trigger.dev targets typescript developers and saas apps and leads with background-jobs and scheduled-tasks.
On pricing, Trigger.dev 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, Trigger.dev 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.