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Ditto vs PowerSync

Ditto: Edge-native document database that syncs peer-to-peer over Bluetooth, P2P Wi-Fi and LAN without internet. PowerSync: Sync engine that keeps on-device SQLite in sync with Postgres, MongoDB, MySQL or SQL Server.

key differences

  • Ditto is primarily a document database; PowerSync is relational.
  • Licensing: Ditto is proprietary (Proprietary); PowerSync is source-available (FSL-1.1-ALv2 (service); Apache-2.0 client SDKs).
  • Transactions: Ditto offers limited ACID; PowerSync offers full.
  • Only Ditto has pub/sub.
  • Only PowerSync has transactions, joins, secondary indexes, encryption at rest, runs in webassembly.

choose ditto for

  • +In-flight crew and cabin apps
  • +Restaurant and retail point-of-sale that must work offline
  • +Defence and field operations on disconnected networks
  • +Replacing Realm Device Sync

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

choose powersync for

  • +Offline-first field-service and inspection apps
  • +Migrating off Realm/Atlas Device Sync
  • +Flutter and React Native apps on a Postgres or MongoDB backend
  • +Local-first web apps with SQLite in the browser

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

DittoEdge-native document database that syncs peer-to-peer over Bluetooth, P2P Wi-Fi and LAN without internet.
PowerSyncSync engine that keeps on-device SQLite in sync with Postgres, MongoDB, MySQL or SQL Server.
overview
Primary model
Document
Relational
Also supports
–
–
Type
Database engine
Database engine
Status
Active
Active
Developer
DittoLive Inc.
JourneyApps (Journey Mobile, Inc.)
First release
2020
2023
Latest version
5.1.0 (JS SDK) (Aug 19, 2026)
service 1.27.2 (Oct 24, 2026)
License
ProprietaryProprietary
Source-availableFSL-1.1-ALv2 (service); Apache-2.0 client SDKs
Free tier
✓
✓
popularity
WhichDB Score
4.3
23.3
Rank
#411
#129
GitHub stars
–
395
Stack Overflow questions
–
–
scale & guarantees
Comfortable data size
Medium (≤ 10 TB)
Medium (≤ 10 TB)
Horizontal scaling
Native
Native
Multi-region
Active active
Read replicas
ACID
Limited
Full
Consistency
Eventual, Causal
Causal, Eventual
Schema
Schemaless
Strict
Architecture
Embedded, Distributed, Multi primary
Client server, Embedded
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
DQL (Ditto Query Language)
SQL (SQLite on device), Sync Rules / Sync Streams (SQL-like)
Client languages
Swift, Kotlin, JavaScript, C#, C++, Rust, Dart
Dart, JavaScript, Kotlin, Swift, C#
Best for
Mobile/offline, Edge, Local-first, IoT
Mobile/offline, Local-first, Embedded
Add more to this comparisonNot sure either fits? Try smart match

Ditto vs PowerSync: FAQ

What is the difference between Ditto and PowerSync?

Ditto: Edge-native document database that syncs peer-to-peer over Bluetooth, P2P Wi-Fi and LAN without internet. PowerSync: Sync engine that keeps on-device SQLite in sync with Postgres, MongoDB, MySQL or SQL Server. Ditto is primarily a document database; PowerSync is relational. Licensing: Ditto is proprietary (Proprietary); PowerSync is source-available (FSL-1.1-ALv2 (service); Apache-2.0 client SDKs). Transactions: Ditto offers limited ACID; PowerSync offers full.

When should I choose Ditto over PowerSync?

Choose Ditto for in-flight crew and cabin apps; restaurant and retail point-of-sale that must work offline; and defence and field operations on disconnected networks. Choose PowerSync for offline-first field-service and inspection apps; migrating off Realm/Atlas Device Sync; and flutter and React Native apps on a Postgres or MongoDB backend.

Is Ditto or PowerSync more popular?

PowerSync ranks #129 on the WhichDB Score (23.3/100) and Ditto ranks #411 (4.3/100). Popularity is not fit: check the requirements that matter for your project.

Are Ditto and PowerSync open source?

No. Ditto is proprietary, closed-source software. Not in the OSI sense. PowerSync is source-available: you can read the code, but the license restricts some uses, typically offering it as a competing managed service. License: FSL-1.1-ALv2 (service); Apache-2.0 client SDKs.