MMKV vs ObjectBox
MMKV: Tencent's mmap-backed key-value store for mobile apps, built as a faster SharedPreferences/NSUserDefaults. ObjectBox: Fast on-device object database with built-in HNSW vector search and an optional commercial sync server.
key differences
- MMKV is primarily a key-value database; ObjectBox is object.
- Licensing: MMKV is open source (permissive) (BSD 3-Clause License); ObjectBox is proprietary (Free closed-source core; Apache-2.0 language bindings).
- Transactions: MMKV offers none ACID; ObjectBox offers full.
- Only MMKV has ttl / expiry, encryption at rest.
- Only ObjectBox has transactions, secondary indexes, vector search, in-memory, offline sync.
choose mmkv for
- +Replacing SharedPreferences, NSUserDefaults or AsyncStorage
- +Feature flags and user settings
- +Small session and token caches on device
best at · Embedded, Coordination, Cache
choose objectbox for
- +Offline-first Android and Flutter apps
- +On-device AI features needing local vector search
- +IoT gateways and embedded Linux devices
- +Replacing Realm after the Device Sync shutdown
best at · Embedded, Mobile/offline, IoT
MMKV vs ObjectBox: FAQ
What is the difference between MMKV and ObjectBox?
MMKV: Tencent's mmap-backed key-value store for mobile apps, built as a faster SharedPreferences/NSUserDefaults. ObjectBox: Fast on-device object database with built-in HNSW vector search and an optional commercial sync server. MMKV is primarily a key-value database; ObjectBox is object. Licensing: MMKV is open source (permissive) (BSD 3-Clause License); ObjectBox is proprietary (Free closed-source core; Apache-2.0 language bindings). Transactions: MMKV offers none ACID; ObjectBox offers full.
When should I choose MMKV over ObjectBox?
Choose MMKV for replacing SharedPreferences, NSUserDefaults or AsyncStorage; feature flags and user settings; and small session and token caches on device. Choose ObjectBox for offline-first Android and Flutter apps; on-device AI features needing local vector search; and IoT gateways and embedded Linux devices.
Is MMKV or ObjectBox more popular?
ObjectBox ranks #269 on the WhichDB Score (12.4/100) and MMKV ranks #364 (6.3/100). Popularity is not fit: check the requirements that matter for your project.
Are MMKV and ObjectBox open source?
Yes. MMKV is open source. License: BSD 3-Clause License. No. ObjectBox is proprietary, closed-source software. License: Free closed-source core; Apache-2.0 language bindings.