whichdb
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RxDB vs WatermelonDB

RxDB: Reactive local-first NoSQL database for JavaScript with pluggable storage and replication. WatermelonDB: Lazy-loading reactive database for React Native and React apps, built on SQLite.

key differences

  • RxDB is primarily a document database; WatermelonDB is relational.
  • Only RxDB has json, change data capture, in-memory, compression, encryption at rest.
  • Only WatermelonDB has transactions.

choose rxdb for

  • +Offline-first progressive web apps
  • +React Native and Capacitor apps with background sync
  • +Electron apps needing local reactive storage
  • +Multi-tab browser apps sharing one database

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

choose watermelondb for

  • +Offline-capable React Native productivity apps
  • +Apps with large local lists that must render instantly
  • +Custom sync to an existing REST backend

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

RxDBReactive local-first NoSQL database for JavaScript with pluggable storage and replication.
WatermelonDBLazy-loading reactive database for React Native and React apps, built on SQLite.
overview
Primary model
Document
Relational
Also supports
–
–
Type
Embedded library
Embedded library
Status
Active
Active
Developer
Daniel Meyer (pubkey)
Nozbe
First release
2016
2018
Latest version
17.6.0 (Oct 5, 2026)
0.28.0 (Apr 7, 2025)
License
Open source (permissive)Apache License 2.0 (core); commercial premium plugins
Open source (permissive)MIT License
Free tier
✓
✓
popularity
WhichDB Score
20.2
17.8
Rank
#161
#187
GitHub stars
23.4K
11.8K
Stack Overflow questions
47
46
scale & guarantees
Comfortable data size
Small (≤ 100 GB)
Small (≤ 100 GB)
Horizontal scaling
None
None
Multi-region
None
None
ACID
Limited
Limited
Consistency
Eventual
Eventual
Schema
Strict
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
Mango query syntax
WatermelonDB Query API (Q)
Client languages
JavaScript, TypeScript
JavaScript, TypeScript
Best for
Local-first, Mobile/offline, Embedded
Mobile/offline, Local-first, Embedded
Add more to this comparisonNot sure either fits? Try smart match

RxDB vs WatermelonDB: FAQ

What is the difference between RxDB and WatermelonDB?

RxDB: Reactive local-first NoSQL database for JavaScript with pluggable storage and replication. WatermelonDB: Lazy-loading reactive database for React Native and React apps, built on SQLite. RxDB is primarily a document database; WatermelonDB is relational. Only RxDB has json, change data capture, in-memory, compression, encryption at rest. Only WatermelonDB has transactions.

When should I choose RxDB over WatermelonDB?

Choose RxDB for offline-first progressive web apps; react Native and Capacitor apps with background sync; and electron apps needing local reactive storage. Choose WatermelonDB for offline-capable React Native productivity apps, apps with large local lists that must render instantly and custom sync to an existing REST backend.

Is RxDB or WatermelonDB more popular?

RxDB ranks #161 on the WhichDB Score (20.2/100) and WatermelonDB ranks #187 (17.8/100). Popularity is not fit: check the requirements that matter for your project.

Are RxDB and WatermelonDB open source?

Yes. RxDB is open source. License: Apache License 2.0 (core); commercial premium plugins. Yes. WatermelonDB is open source. License: MIT License.