Database & Data Management · head to head
Convex vs Google Cloud SQL
Convex
Database & Data Management
The reactive backend platform that keeps up with you and your agents
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
Google Cloud SQL
Database & Data Management
Fully managed relational database service for MySQL, PostgreSQL, and SQL Server
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only Google Cloud SQL has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Convex the Free and Starter tier includes only 1 million function calls and 0.5 GB of database storage per month before per-unit overage charges of $2.20 per million calls apply, as of August 2026.; Google Cloud SQL locked into Google Cloud ecosystem with limited cross-cloud portability
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Convex and Google Cloud SQL actually diverge.
| Attribute | Convex | Google Cloud SQL |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | On request | Free |
| Free tier | No | Yes |
| Platforms | Web | Google Cloud Platform |
| Category | Database & Data Management | Unknown |
| Founded | Unknown | 2008 |
Identical on both: pricing model (usage-based), user rating (Not yet rated).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in Convex
Nothing recorded that Google Cloud SQL does not also cover.
Only in Google Cloud SQL
- High Availability
- Automated Backups
- Point-in-time Recovery
- Encryption
- Regional/Zonal Instances
- Read Replicas
- Private IP
- BigQuery
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Convex
No use cases recorded yet. See the Convex review.
Google Cloud SQL
- Transaction processingnot Convex
- Data storagenot Convex
- Application backendnot Convex
- Reportingnot Convex
- Data analyticsnot Convex
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Convex
- The Free and Starter tier includes only 1 million function calls and 0.5 GB of database storage per month before per-unit overage charges of $2.20 per million calls apply, as of August 2026.
Google Cloud SQL
- Locked into Google Cloud ecosystem with limited cross-cloud portability
- Pay-as-you-go pricing can become expensive with unpredictable workloads
- Limited customization options compared to self-managed databases
Pricing, plan by plan
Convex
On requestNo published plan breakdown. See the Convex review.
Google Cloud SQL
Free- Free TierFree
- db-f1-micro instance
- 30GB storage
- Limited usage
- Standard$25/month
- High availability
- Automated backups
- Point-in-time recovery
Which should you pick?
Choose Convex if
Nothing in the data separates Convex from Google Cloud SQL on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.
Choose Google Cloud SQL if
- You need high availability.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Google Cloud Platform.
- You also want automated backups.
Questions people ask
- Is Convex or Google Cloud SQL better?
- Neither clearly leads. Convex starts at On request and Google Cloud SQL at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Convex or Google Cloud SQL?
- Google Cloud SQL has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Convex and Free for Google Cloud SQL.
- Does Convex or Google Cloud SQL run on more platforms?
- Convex runs on Web. Google Cloud SQL runs on Google Cloud Platform.
- Can I use Google Cloud SQL for free?
- Yes. Google Cloud SQL has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Convex starts at On request.
- What can Convex do that Google Cloud SQL cannot?
- Google Cloud SQL covers High Availability, Automated Backups, Point-in-time Recovery, Encryption.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Google Cloud SQL: What database engines does Google Cloud SQL support?
Google Cloud SQL supports MySQL, PostgreSQL, and SQL Server. Users can choose their preferred engine when provisioning an instance and Google handles automated backups, replication, patching, and scaling.
SourceGoogle Cloud SQL: Does Google Cloud SQL have a free tier?
Google Cloud SQL does not have a free tier, though new users receive free trial credits from Google Cloud Platform. Pricing is based on compute resources (CPU and memory) and storage used, with options for committed use discounts.
SourceGoogle Cloud SQL: Can Google Cloud SQL scale automatically?
Yes. Cloud SQL automatically scales database storage and compute resources to handle increased workloads without manual intervention, and includes automated backups and high availability configurations.
Source