Convex vs Zed — Pricing, Plans, and Verified Costs (2026)
Convex starts at $25/mo. Zed starts at $10/mo. Zed is $15/mo cheaper on the entry tier than Convex.
Reactive backend platform positioned as the alternative to Firebase for TypeScript developers who want end-to-end type safety + real-time subscriptions without configuring WebSockets. Distinctive per-developer pricing ($25/dev/mo Professional) instead of usage-based — predictable bills regardless of data volume or query count. Free tier is generous for solo projects. Popular with venture-backed startups building interactive AI/collaboration apps.
Open-source, high-performance code editor with AI features built in. Written in Rust with GPU-accelerated UI. Zed core is free and open source; Zed Pro adds premium AI models + higher usage limits at $20/user/mo. Business plan at $50/user/mo adds team features. Positioned as the fast-native alternative to Electron-based editors (Cursor, VS Code) for developers who care about performance.
All plans compared
| Tier role | Plan | Convex monthly | Convex annual | Zed monthly | Zed annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free / starter | Free / Personal | Free | Free | Free | Free |
| Entry paid | Professional / Pro | $25 | $25 | $10 | $10 |
| Teams | — / Business | — | — | $30 | $30 |
| Enterprise | Enterprise / — | Custom | Custom | — | — |
Tier names differ across vendors. Rows are aligned by tier role, not name. Full tier structures on each tool's page.
What each is best for
Convex is worth it if… Convex is the reactive backend-as-a-service for developers who want real-time database + serverless functions + file storage — all with TypeScript type safety end-to-end. Free tier covers development and small production apps; Starter (free with usage-based overages) removes hard caps; Professional adds team features.
Zed is worth it if… developers who want a fast-native code editor that feels sub-16ms on every action, with AI features that don't slow it down. Free tier is a real editor (not a demo); Pro at $20/user/mo unlocks Claude Opus and other premium models.
Bottom line: Similar positioning, closer to a preference call than a strategic one.
Choose Convex over Zed if…
Choose Convex if…
- You're comfortable with Convex's from $25/mo entry point.
- You match the profile Convex is built for: the reactive backend-as-a-service for developers who want real-time database + serverless functions + file storage — all with TypeScript type safety end-to-end.
- You need a general-purpose developer & infrastructure option rather than a vertical-specific one.
Choose Zed if…
- You want fixed-price predictability (per seat, from $10/mo).
- You match the profile Zed is built for: developers who want a fast-native code editor that feels sub-16ms on every action, with AI features that don't slow it down.
- You need a general-purpose developer & infrastructure option rather than a vertical-specific one.
At a glance
| Convex | Zed | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | No |
| Entry price | $25/mo | $10/mo |
| Enterprise available | Yes | No |
| Pricing model | — | Per Seat |
| Verification | Pricing under review | Checked September 28, 2026 |
| Full pricing | View full pricing | View full pricing |
Pricing last verified September 28, 2026. Tracked daily.