whichdb
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AlaSQL vs PGlite

AlaSQL: Pure-JavaScript in-memory SQL engine for browsers and Node.js that queries arrays, JSON, CSV and Excel files. PGlite: Real PostgreSQL compiled to WebAssembly: an embeddable Postgres for browsers, Node, Bun and Deno.

key differences

  • Transactions: AlaSQL offers limited ACID; PGlite offers full.
  • Only PGlite has transactions, secondary indexes, full-text search, vector search, geospatial.

choose alasql for

  • +Client-side filtering, grouping and joining of JSON API results
  • +Exporting app data to Excel or CSV from the browser
  • +Quick data transforms in Node.js scripts
  • +Prototyping SQL logic without a database server

best at · Embedded, OLAP, Local-first

choose pglite for

  • +Local-first web apps with Electric sync
  • +In-browser SQL playgrounds and tutorials
  • +Ephemeral Postgres for unit tests in Node/Bun
  • +Client-side vector search with pgvector

best at · Embedded, Local-first, Mobile/offline

AlaSQLPure-JavaScript in-memory SQL engine for browsers and Node.js that queries arrays, JSON, CSV and Excel files.
PGliteReal PostgreSQL compiled to WebAssembly: an embeddable Postgres for browsers, Node, Bun and Deno.
overview
Primary model
Relational
Relational
Also supports
Document
Document, Vector, Spatial
Type
Embedded library
Embedded library
Status
Active
Active
Developer
Andrey Gershun, Mathias Rangel Wulff and contributors
ElectricSQL
First release
2014
2024
Latest version
4.21.0 (Oct 21, 2026)
0.5.12 (Oct 26, 2026)
License
Open source (permissive)MIT License
Open source (permissive)Apache License 2.0 / PostgreSQL License
Free tier
✓
✓
popularity
WhichDB Score
20.2
35.1
Rank
#159
#57
GitHub stars
7.3K
16.2K
Stack Overflow questions
229
–
scale & guarantees
Comfortable data size
Small (≤ 100 GB)
Small (≤ 100 GB)
Horizontal scaling
None
None
Multi-region
None
None
ACID
Limited
Full
Consistency
Strong
Strong
Schema
Flexible
Strict
Architecture
Embedded, In memory
Embedded, In memory
deployment
Self-hosted
—
✓
Vendor-managed cloud
—
—
Serverless
—
—
Embedded
✓
✓
Edge
—
✓
Clouds
–
–
capabilities
Transactions
—
✓
Joins
✓
✓
Secondary indexes
—
✓
Full-text search
—
✓
Vector search
—
✓
Geospatial
—
✓
JSON
✓
✓
Change data capture
—
—
Triggers
—
✓
Stored procedures
—
✓
Materialized views
—
✓
TTL / expiry
—
—
Pub/Sub
—
✓
Columnar storage
—
—
In-memory
✓
✓
Durable persistence
✓
✓
Compression
—
—
Encryption at rest
—
—
Role-based access
—
—
Time travel
—
—
Branching
—
—
Online schema changes
—
—
Streaming ingest
—
—
Offline sync
—
✓
Runs in WebAssembly
—
✓
interfaces
Query languages
SQL
SQL, PL/pgSQL
Client languages
JavaScript, TypeScript
JavaScript, TypeScript
Best for
Embedded, OLAP, Local-first
Embedded, Local-first, Mobile/offline, Edge
Add more to this comparisonNot sure either fits? Try smart match

AlaSQL vs PGlite: FAQ

What is the difference between AlaSQL and PGlite?

AlaSQL: Pure-JavaScript in-memory SQL engine for browsers and Node.js that queries arrays, JSON, CSV and Excel files. PGlite: Real PostgreSQL compiled to WebAssembly: an embeddable Postgres for browsers, Node, Bun and Deno. Transactions: AlaSQL offers limited ACID; PGlite offers full. Only PGlite has transactions, secondary indexes, full-text search, vector search, geospatial.

When should I choose AlaSQL over PGlite?

Choose AlaSQL for client-side filtering, grouping and joining of JSON API results; exporting app data to Excel or CSV from the browser; and quick data transforms in Node.js scripts. Choose PGlite for local-first web apps with Electric sync; in-browser SQL playgrounds and tutorials; and ephemeral Postgres for unit tests in Node/Bun.

Is AlaSQL or PGlite more popular?

PGlite ranks #57 on the WhichDB Score (35.1/100) and AlaSQL ranks #159 (20.2/100). Popularity is not fit: check the requirements that matter for your project.

Are AlaSQL and PGlite open source?

Yes. AlaSQL is open source. License: MIT License. Yes. PGlite is open source. License: Apache License 2.0 / PostgreSQL License.