whichdb
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HyperSQL (HSQLDB) vs SQLite

HyperSQL (HSQLDB): Long-running pure-Java SQL database with strong SQL:2023 coverage, used embedded and in LibreOffice. SQLite: The in-process SQL engine that ships in every phone, browser and OS: one file, zero servers.

key differences

  • Only HyperSQL (HSQLDB) has stored procedures, encryption at rest, role-based access, time travel.
  • Only SQLite has full-text search, json, runs in webassembly.

choose hsqldb for

  • +Embedded storage in Java applications
  • +Unit tests needing strict SQL semantics
  • +LibreOffice Base documents
  • +Teaching SQL standard features

best at · Embedded, OLTP

choose sqlite for

  • +Mobile and desktop application storage
  • +Embedded devices and IoT
  • +Local-first apps and offline caches
  • +Test fixtures and data interchange files

best at · Embedded, Mobile/offline, Edge

HyperSQL (HSQLDB)Long-running pure-Java SQL database with strong SQL:2023 coverage, used embedded and in LibreOffice.
SQLiteThe in-process SQL engine that ships in every phone, browser and OS: one file, zero servers.
overview
Primary model
Relational
Relational
Also supports
–
Document
Type
Database engine
Embedded library
Status
Active
Active
Developer
The hsql Development Group
D. Richard Hipp / Hwaci (SQLite Consortium)
First release
2001
2000
Latest version
2.7.4 (Oct 25, 2024)
3.54.1 (Oct 16, 2026)
License
Open source (permissive)HSQLDB License (BSD-style)
Open source (permissive)Public Domain
Free tier
✓
✓
popularity
WhichDB Score
9.4
75.5
Rank
#312
#5
GitHub stars
–
10.8K
Stack Overflow questions
2.5K
94.9K
scale & guarantees
Comfortable data size
Small (≤ 100 GB)
Small (≤ 100 GB)
Horizontal scaling
None
None
Multi-region
None
None
ACID
Full
Full
Consistency
Strong
Strong
Schema
Strict
Flexible
Architecture
Embedded, In memory, Client server, Single node
Embedded, Single node
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
Client languages
Java
C, Python, Java, JavaScript, Go, Rust, C#, Swift
Best for
Embedded, OLTP
Embedded, Mobile/offline, Edge, Local-first
Add more to this comparisonNot sure either fits? Try smart match

HyperSQL (HSQLDB) vs SQLite: FAQ

What is the difference between HyperSQL (HSQLDB) and SQLite?

HyperSQL (HSQLDB): Long-running pure-Java SQL database with strong SQL:2023 coverage, used embedded and in LibreOffice. SQLite: The in-process SQL engine that ships in every phone, browser and OS: one file, zero servers. Only HyperSQL (HSQLDB) has stored procedures, encryption at rest, role-based access, time travel. Only SQLite has full-text search, json, runs in webassembly.

When should I choose HyperSQL (HSQLDB) over SQLite?

Choose HyperSQL (HSQLDB) for embedded storage in Java applications, unit tests needing strict SQL semantics and LibreOffice Base documents. Choose SQLite for mobile and desktop application storage; embedded devices and IoT; and local-first apps and offline caches.

Is HyperSQL (HSQLDB) or SQLite more popular?

SQLite ranks #5 on the WhichDB Score (75.5/100) and HyperSQL (HSQLDB) ranks #312 (9.4/100). Popularity is not fit: check the requirements that matter for your project.

Are HyperSQL (HSQLDB) and SQLite open source?

Yes. HyperSQL (HSQLDB) is open source. License: HSQLDB License (BSD-style). Yes. SQLite is open source. License: Public Domain.