whichdb
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OpenQM vs SQLite

OpenQM: Compact MultiValue (Pick) database from Ladybridge, once GPL-licensed, now Rocket's entry-level MV product. SQLite: The in-process SQL engine that ships in every phone, browser and OS: one file, zero servers.

key differences

  • OpenQM is primarily a multivalue (Pick) database; SQLite is relational.
  • Licensing: OpenQM is proprietary (Proprietary (historic GPLv2 community edition)); SQLite is open source (permissive) (Public Domain).
  • Transactions: OpenQM offers limited ACID; SQLite offers full.
  • Only SQLite has joins, full-text search, json, in-memory, runs in webassembly.
  • SQLite can run embedded in your application process.

choose openqm for

  • +Hosting small Pick-based business applications
  • +Migrating off ageing Pick systems to commodity servers
  • +Learning the MultiValue model

best at · 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

OpenQMCompact MultiValue (Pick) database from Ladybridge, once GPL-licensed, now Rocket's entry-level MV product.
SQLiteThe in-process SQL engine that ships in every phone, browser and OS: one file, zero servers.
overview
Primary model
Multivalue (Pick)
Relational
Also supports
–
Document
Type
Database engine
Embedded library
Status
Active
Active
Developer
Rocket Software (originally Ladybridge Systems)
D. Richard Hipp / Hwaci (SQLite Consortium)
First release
1993
2000
Latest version
–
3.54.1 (Oct 16, 2026)
License
ProprietaryProprietary (historic GPLv2 community edition)
Open source (permissive)Public Domain
Free tier
✓
✓
popularity
WhichDB Score
0.2
75.5
Rank
#670
#5
GitHub stars
–
10.8K
Stack Overflow questions
–
94.9K
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
Flexible
Architecture
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
QMBasic, QM query language
SQL
Client languages
C, Python, C#, Java
C, Python, Java, JavaScript, Go, Rust, C#, Swift
Best for
OLTP
Embedded, Mobile/offline, Edge, Local-first
Add more to this comparisonNot sure either fits? Try smart match

OpenQM vs SQLite: FAQ

What is the difference between OpenQM and SQLite?

OpenQM: Compact MultiValue (Pick) database from Ladybridge, once GPL-licensed, now Rocket's entry-level MV product. SQLite: The in-process SQL engine that ships in every phone, browser and OS: one file, zero servers. OpenQM is primarily a multivalue (Pick) database; SQLite is relational. Licensing: OpenQM is proprietary (Proprietary (historic GPLv2 community edition)); SQLite is open source (permissive) (Public Domain). Transactions: OpenQM offers limited ACID; SQLite offers full.

When should I choose OpenQM over SQLite?

Choose OpenQM for hosting small Pick-based business applications, migrating off ageing Pick systems to commodity servers and learning the MultiValue model. Choose SQLite for mobile and desktop application storage; embedded devices and IoT; and local-first apps and offline caches.

Is OpenQM or SQLite more popular?

SQLite ranks #5 on the WhichDB Score (75.5/100) and OpenQM ranks #670 (0.2/100). Popularity is not fit: check the requirements that matter for your project.

Are OpenQM and SQLite open source?

No. OpenQM is proprietary, closed-source software. Yes. SQLite is open source. License: Public Domain.