Convex vs Directus
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted apps from related categories — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
Not the right match-up?
Convex
Open-source reactive backend with a TypeScript database
VS
Directus
Instant REST and GraphQL API for any SQL database
| Feature | Convex | Directus |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Developer Tools & Git | Self-Hosting Platforms (PaaS) |
| License | Apache-2.0 | BSL-1.1 |
| Language | TypeScript | TypeScript |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 1,024 MB | 1,024 MB |
| Deployment | docker, source | docker, kubernetes, binary |
| GitHub stars | ★ 12,332 | ★ 37,238 |
| First released | 2024 | 2015 |
| Replaces | Firebase | Contentful, Firebase |
Why pick each one
Choose Convex if…
- Released under the Apache-2.0 license
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Mature project with 12.3k GitHub stars
- Written in TypeScript
Choose Directus if…
- Released under the BSL-1.1 license
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Kubernetes-ready with Helm charts available
- Mature project with 37.2k GitHub stars
Frequently asked questions
Is Convex or Directus better?
Neither is universally better. Directus has the larger community; both share a medium setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are Convex and Directus free and open-source?
Yes. Convex is licensed under Apache-2.0 and Directus under BSL-1.1. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Convex and Directus with Docker?
Convex: yes. Directus: yes.