whichdb
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LiteDB vs SQLCipher

LiteDB: Serverless single-file NoSQL document database for .NET, in the spirit of SQLite. SQLCipher: SQLite with transparent 256-bit AES encryption of the whole database file.

key differences

  • LiteDB is primarily a document database; SQLCipher is relational.
  • Only SQLCipher has joins, full-text search, triggers.

choose litedb for

  • +Desktop and WPF/WinForms app storage
  • +Configuration and state for .NET tools and services
  • +Unit-test databases and small prototypes

best at · Embedded, Coordination, Metadata

choose sqlcipher for

  • +Encrypting local data in healthcare, finance and enterprise mobile apps
  • +Password managers and secure note apps
  • +Desktop apps storing sensitive data offline

best at · Embedded, Mobile/offline, OLTP

LiteDBServerless single-file NoSQL document database for .NET, in the spirit of SQLite.
SQLCipherSQLite with transparent 256-bit AES encryption of the whole database file.
overview
Primary model
Document
Relational
Also supports
–
–
Type
Embedded library
Embedded library
Status
Active
Active
Developer
Mauricio David and the LiteDB community
Zetetic LLC
First release
2015
2008
Latest version
5.0.21 (Jul 5, 2024)
4.19.0 (Sep 8, 2026)
License
Open source (permissive)MIT License
Open source (permissive)BSD 3-Clause (Community Edition); commercial editions
Free tier
✓
✓
popularity
WhichDB Score
10.8
17.5
Rank
#293
#190
GitHub stars
9.5K
7.3K
Stack Overflow questions
190
594
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
Schemaless
Strict
Architecture
Embedded
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
LINQ, LiteDB SQL-like syntax (BsonExpression)
SQL
Client languages
C#
C, Java, Kotlin, Swift, Objective-C, C#, Python, JavaScript
Best for
Embedded, Coordination, Metadata
Embedded, Mobile/offline, OLTP
Add more to this comparisonNot sure either fits? Try smart match

LiteDB vs SQLCipher: FAQ

What is the difference between LiteDB and SQLCipher?

LiteDB: Serverless single-file NoSQL document database for .NET, in the spirit of SQLite. SQLCipher: SQLite with transparent 256-bit AES encryption of the whole database file. LiteDB is primarily a document database; SQLCipher is relational. Only SQLCipher has joins, full-text search, triggers.

When should I choose LiteDB over SQLCipher?

Choose LiteDB for desktop and WPF/WinForms app storage; configuration and state for .NET tools and services; and unit-test databases and small prototypes. Choose SQLCipher for encrypting local data in healthcare, finance and enterprise mobile apps; password managers and secure note apps; and desktop apps storing sensitive data offline.

Is LiteDB or SQLCipher more popular?

SQLCipher ranks #190 on the WhichDB Score (17.5/100) and LiteDB ranks #293 (10.8/100). Popularity is not fit: check the requirements that matter for your project.

Are LiteDB and SQLCipher open source?

Yes. LiteDB is open source. License: MIT License. Yes. SQLCipher is open source. License: BSD 3-Clause (Community Edition); commercial editions.