Tacobase 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. tacobase 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 Tacobase vs Convex

Initialize the Client

Tacobase
import { createClient } from '@tacobase/client'

// Zero config — reads from env
const db = 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

Tacobase
// Collection auto-creates on first write
const post = await db
  .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

Tacobase
const posts = await db
  .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

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

await db.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 Tacobase stacks up against Convex

FeatureTacobaseConvex

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

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

Why Developers Choose Tacobase

No Custom Query Language

Convex requires you to learn its own query builder and define server-side query/mutation functions. tacobase 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. tacobase 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. tacobase collections auto-create on first write.

Self-Hostable & Open Source

tacobase 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

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

Simpler Pricing

tacobase 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 Tacobase vs Convex

How does tacobase compare to Convex for realtime?

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

Does tacobase require a third-party auth provider?

No. tacobase 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 tacobase unlike Convex?

Yes. tacobase 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 tacobase use a custom query language?

tacobase 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 tacobase good for React apps like Convex?

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

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