PowerSync vs SQLite Cloud
PowerSync: Sync engine that keeps on-device SQLite in sync with Postgres, MongoDB, MySQL or SQL Server. SQLite Cloud: Managed, distributed SQLite with pub/sub, edge functions and CRDT sync to on-device databases.
key differences
- Licensing: PowerSync is source-available (FSL-1.1-ALv2 (service); Apache-2.0 client SDKs); SQLite Cloud is proprietary (Proprietary service; client drivers MIT).
- PowerSync is built for larger datasets (≤ 10 TB) than SQLite Cloud (≤ 100 GB).
- Horizontal scaling is native in PowerSync and none in SQLite Cloud.
- Only PowerSync has encryption at rest, runs in webassembly.
- Only SQLite Cloud has full-text search, vector search, triggers, pub/sub, role-based access.
- SQLite Cloud has a serverless option; PowerSync does not.
- PowerSync can run embedded in your application process.
choose powersync for
- +Offline-first field-service and inspection apps
- +Migrating off Realm/Atlas Device Sync
- +Flutter and React Native apps on a Postgres or MongoDB backend
- +Local-first web apps with SQLite in the browser
best at · Mobile/offline, Local-first, Embedded
choose sqlite-cloud for
- +Backends for apps already standardised on SQLite
- +Offline-first mobile apps syncing local SQLite
- +Edge and IoT data collection
best at · OLTP, Edge, Local-first
PowerSync vs SQLite Cloud: FAQ
What is the difference between PowerSync and SQLite Cloud?
PowerSync: Sync engine that keeps on-device SQLite in sync with Postgres, MongoDB, MySQL or SQL Server. SQLite Cloud: Managed, distributed SQLite with pub/sub, edge functions and CRDT sync to on-device databases. Licensing: PowerSync is source-available (FSL-1.1-ALv2 (service); Apache-2.0 client SDKs); SQLite Cloud is proprietary (Proprietary service; client drivers MIT). PowerSync is built for larger datasets (≤ 10 TB) than SQLite Cloud (≤ 100 GB). Horizontal scaling is native in PowerSync and none in SQLite Cloud.
When should I choose PowerSync over SQLite Cloud?
Choose PowerSync for offline-first field-service and inspection apps; migrating off Realm/Atlas Device Sync; and flutter and React Native apps on a Postgres or MongoDB backend. Choose SQLite Cloud for backends for apps already standardised on SQLite; offline-first mobile apps syncing local SQLite; and edge and IoT data collection.
Is PowerSync or SQLite Cloud more popular?
PowerSync ranks #129 on the WhichDB Score (23.3/100) and SQLite Cloud ranks #246 (13.8/100). Popularity is not fit: check the requirements that matter for your project.
Are PowerSync and SQLite Cloud open source?
Not in the OSI sense. PowerSync is source-available: you can read the code, but the license restricts some uses, typically offering it as a competing managed service. License: FSL-1.1-ALv2 (service); Apache-2.0 client SDKs. No. SQLite Cloud is proprietary, closed-source software.