whichdb
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PGlite vs SQLite

PGlite: Real PostgreSQL compiled to WebAssembly: an embeddable Postgres for browsers, Node, Bun and Deno. SQLite: The in-process SQL engine that ships in every phone, browser and OS: one file, zero servers.

key differences

  • Only PGlite has vector search, geospatial, stored procedures, materialized views, pub/sub.

choose pglite for

  • +Local-first web apps with Electric sync
  • +In-browser SQL playgrounds and tutorials
  • +Ephemeral Postgres for unit tests in Node/Bun
  • +Client-side vector search with pgvector

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

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

PGliteReal PostgreSQL compiled to WebAssembly: an embeddable Postgres for browsers, Node, Bun and Deno.
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, Vector, Spatial
Document
Type
Embedded library
Embedded library
Status
Active
Active
Developer
ElectricSQL
D. Richard Hipp / Hwaci (SQLite Consortium)
First release
2024
2000
Latest version
0.5.12 (Oct 26, 2026)
3.54.1 (Oct 16, 2026)
License
Open source (permissive)Apache License 2.0 / PostgreSQL License
Open source (permissive)Public Domain
Free tier
✓
✓
popularity
WhichDB Score
35.1
75.5
Rank
#57
#5
GitHub stars
16.2K
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
Full
Full
Consistency
Strong
Strong
Schema
Strict
Flexible
Architecture
Embedded, In memory
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, PL/pgSQL
SQL
Client languages
JavaScript, TypeScript
C, Python, Java, JavaScript, Go, Rust, C#, Swift
Best for
Embedded, Local-first, Mobile/offline, Edge
Embedded, Mobile/offline, Edge, Local-first
Add more to this comparisonNot sure either fits? Try smart match

PGlite vs SQLite: FAQ

What is the difference between PGlite and SQLite?

PGlite: Real PostgreSQL compiled to WebAssembly: an embeddable Postgres for browsers, Node, Bun and Deno. SQLite: The in-process SQL engine that ships in every phone, browser and OS: one file, zero servers. Only PGlite has vector search, geospatial, stored procedures, materialized views, pub/sub.

When should I choose PGlite over SQLite?

Choose PGlite for local-first web apps with Electric sync; in-browser SQL playgrounds and tutorials; and ephemeral Postgres for unit tests in Node/Bun. Choose SQLite for mobile and desktop application storage; embedded devices and IoT; and local-first apps and offline caches.

Is PGlite or SQLite more popular?

SQLite ranks #5 on the WhichDB Score (75.5/100) and PGlite ranks #57 (35.1/100). Popularity is not fit: check the requirements that matter for your project.

Are PGlite and SQLite open source?

Yes. PGlite is open source. License: Apache License 2.0 / PostgreSQL License. Yes. SQLite is open source. License: Public Domain.