Cloudflare vs Convex — Which One Wins?
A detailed, side-by-side comparison of Cloudflare and Convex to help you pick the right tool for your workflow.
Quick Verdict
Cloudflare takes the lead with a 4.6 rating and is best for every website for cdn/dns, and developers building on edge computing.. Convex (4.4) is the better pick if you need developers building real-time apps who want a full backend solution.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Criteria | Cloudflare | Convex |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★★★★★ 4.6(398) | ★★★★ 4.4(33) |
| Pricing Model | freemium | freemium |
| Starter Price | $20/mo (Pro) | $25/mo |
| Free Tier | Yes | Yes |
| Platforms | web | web, cli |
| Learning Curve | medium | medium |
| API Available | Yes | Yes |
| Best For | Every website for CDN/DNS, and developers building on edge computing. | Developers building real-time apps who want a full backend solution |
| Verdict | recommended | recommended |
Feature Checklist
| Feature | Cloudflare | Convex |
|---|---|---|
| Global CDN with 300+ locations | — | |
| Workers (edge computing) | — | |
| R2 object storage (no egress fees) | — | |
| Pages (site hosting) | — | |
| DDoS protection | — | |
| DNS management | — | |
| D1 edge database | — | |
| Real-time sync | — | |
| Server functions | — | |
| File storage | — | |
| Scheduled jobs | — | |
| Full TypeScript | — |
Cloudflare
Pros
- ✓Most valuable free tier — CDN, DNS, and security for free
- ✓Workers edge computing with 300+ global locations
- ✓R2 storage eliminates egress fees
Cons
- ✕Edge computing paradigm requires rethinking application architecture
- ✕Workers have runtime limitations (CPU time, memory)
- ✕Enterprise pricing is opaque
Convex
Pros
- ✓Real-time sync just works
- ✓Excellent TypeScript DX
- ✓Eliminates backend boilerplate
Cons
- ✕Vendor lock-in is real
- ✕Non-standard data model
- ✕Smaller community than Firebase
The Bottom Line
Both Cloudflare and Convex are solid tools in the Developer Tools space. Cloudflare edges ahead with a stronger overall rating (4.6 vs 4.4) and is the better choice for every website for cdn/dns, and developers building on edge computing.. However, if you prioritize developers building real-time apps who want a full backend solution, Convex is worth serious consideration. We recommend trying the free tier or trial of each before committing.