Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

SQLite VS LokiJS

Compare SQLite VS LokiJS and see what are their differences

SQLite logo SQLite

SQLite Home Page

LokiJS logo LokiJS

In-memory JavaScript Datastore with Persistence
  • SQLite Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-21
  • LokiJS Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-29

SQLite features and specs

  • Zero Configuration
    SQLite does not require any server setup or configuration, allowing for easy integration and deployment in applications.
  • Lightweight
    It is extremely lightweight, with a small footprint, making it ideal for embedded systems and mobile applications.
  • Self-Contained
    SQLite is self-contained, meaning it has minimal external dependencies, which simplifies its distribution and usage.
  • File-Based Storage
    Data is stored in a single file, which makes it easy to manage and transfer databases as simple files.
  • ACID Compliance
    SQLite supports Atomicity, Consistency, Isolation, and Durability (ACID) properties, ensuring reliable transactions.
  • Cross-Platform
    SQLite is available on numerous platforms, including Windows, MacOS, Linux, iOS, and Android, providing a broad compatibility range.
  • Public Domain
    SQLite operates under the public domain, allowing for unrestricted use in commercial and non-commercial applications.

Possible disadvantages of SQLite

  • Limited Scalability
    SQLite is not designed to handle high levels of concurrency and large-scale databases, making it less suitable for large, high-traffic applications.
  • Write Performance
    Write operations can be slower compared to server-based databases, especially under heavy write loads.
  • Lack of Certain Features
    SQLite lacks some advanced features offered by other RDBMS like stored procedures, user-defined functions, and full-text search indexing.
  • Security
    As SQLite is file-based, it might lack some of the security features present in server-based databases, such as sophisticated access control.
  • Concurrency
    SQLite uses a locking mechanism to control access to the database, which can lead to contention and performance bottlenecks in highly concurrent environments.
  • Backup and Restore
    While it's straightforward to copy SQLite database files, it lacks the advanced backup and restore features found in more complex RDBMS.

LokiJS features and specs

  • In-Memory Storage
    LokiJS operates primarily in-memory, providing very fast read and write operations, which makes it ideal for lightweight applications or use as a caching mechanism.
  • Lightweight
    The library is small and easy to integrate, without requiring an external database server. It's a great fit for client-side applications or desktop software where resources are limited.
  • NoSQL Document Store
    LokiJS stores data as documents, which facilitates flexible and schema-less data management, similar to popular NoSQL databases like MongoDB.
  • Persistence Options
    Offers options for data persistence including serializing data to JSON or using adapters to store data in various backends, maintaining state even after application restarts.
  • JavaScript Ecosystem
    It is written in JavaScript and works seamlessly within Node.js and browser environments, allowing for consistent data handling and manipulation across stacks.

Possible disadvantages of LokiJS

  • Memory Usage
    Since LokiJS is an in-memory database, it can consume a significant amount of memory for large data sets, which can be a limitation for memory-constrained environments.
  • Single-User Focus
    Designed for applications with a single user or client, LokiJS doesn't natively support concurrent access patterns or multi-user data synchronization like more comprehensive database systems.
  • Limited Query Features
    Though it provides basic indexing and querying capabilities, LokiJS lacks the advanced query features seen in larger databases, which might be necessary for complex data manipulation.
  • Maturity and Community
    While actively developed, LokiJS has a smaller community and ecosystem compared to more established databases, which might limit access to third-party tools, extensions, or community support.
  • Scalability Concerns
    Built for small to moderate scale applications, itโ€™s not designed for high-scale scenarios that require distributed data handling or massive parallel processing.

Analysis of SQLite

Overall verdict

  • SQLite is an excellent choice for a variety of use cases, particularly where ease of use, scalability for smaller applications, and integration simplicity are prioritized. Its robust feature set and extensive community support make it a reliable option for many developers.

Why this product is good

  • SQLite is highly regarded for its efficiency, simplicity, and portability. It is a self-contained, serverless database engine that requires no configuration, making it easy to integrate into applications. Its zero-configuration system and minimal setup offer a lightweight solution that supports complex queries with ACID compliance. SQLite is also used widely due to its high reliability and performance, and it is included by default in several programming environments.

Recommended for

  • Small to medium-sized applications
  • Embedded devices and IoT applications
  • Mobile applications
  • Testing and prototyping
  • Internal or standalone tools and applications
  • Education and learning environments

Analysis of LokiJS

Overall verdict

  • LokiJS is a solid option for developers seeking an in-memory database solution with minimal setup. It offers performance benefits in situations where high-speed operations are critical, and the data does not require frequent persistence. However, it may not be suitable for applications needing robust ACID compliance or for those handling large-scale production-level datasets.

Why this product is good

  • LokiJS is a fast and lightweight in-memory database that is particularly suited for applications where performance in data retrieval is important and data is stored locally. It's JavaScript-based, making it easy to integrate into Node.js or browser environments. LokiJS is a good choice for scenarios needing speed and efficiency without the overhead of a full-fledged database management system. It is schema-less and allows for rapid prototyping.

Recommended for

    Ideal for small to medium-sized applications, single-page applications (SPAs), development and prototyping phases, or scenarios where a lightweight storage solution is preferred over a traditional database system. It's especially beneficial for Node.js developers and those building client-side applications that require fast access to in-memory data.

SQLite videos

SQLite | What, Why , Where

More videos:

  • Review - W20 PROG1442 3.3 UWP sqLite Review
  • Tutorial - How To Create SQLite Databases From Scratch For Beginners - Full Tutorial

LokiJS videos

No LokiJS videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

Add video

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to SQLite and LokiJS)
Databases
95 95%
5% 5
Relational Databases
100 100%
0% 0
NoSQL Databases
91 91%
9% 9
Developer Tools
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, SQLite seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 18 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

SQLite mentions (18)

  • Can I have my Lightroom catalogue pointing at two sources...?
    Yes. A Lightroom catalog file is, after all, just a SQLite database. (Srsly, make a copy of your catalog file, rename it whatever.sqlite and use your favorite SQLite GUI to rip it open and look at the tables and fields). It's just storing the pathame to the RAW file for that file's record in the database. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Building a database to search Excel files
    I use visidata with a playback script I recorded to open the sheet to a specific Excel tab, add a column, save the sheet as a csv file. Then I have a sqlite script that takes the csv file and puts it in a database, partitioned by monthYear. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Saw this on my friends Snapchat story, this hurts my heart
    Use the most-used database in the world: https://sqlite.org/index.html. Source: over 2 years ago
  • "Managing" a SQLite Database with J (Part 2)
    With this in mind, I wrote a few versions of this post, but I hated them all. Then I realized that jodliterate PDF documents mostly do what I want. So, instead of rewriting MirrorXref.pdf, I will make a few comments about jodliterate group documents in general. If you're interested in using SQLite with J, download the self-contained GitHub files MirrorXref.ijs and MirrorXref.pdf and have a look. - Source: dev.to / about 3 years ago
  • "Managing" a SQLite Database with J (Part 1)
    SQLite, by many estimates, is the most widely deployed SQL database system on Earth. It's everywhere. It's in your phone, your laptop, your cameras, your car, your cloud, and your breakfast cereal. SQLite's global triumph is a gratifying testament to the virtues of technical excellence and the philosophy of "less is more.". - Source: dev.to / about 3 years ago
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LokiJS mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of LokiJS yet. Tracking of LokiJS recommendations started around Mar 2021.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing SQLite and LokiJS, you can also consider the following products

MySQL - The world's most popular open source database

IndexedDB - IndexedDB is a low-levelย API for client-side storage of significant amounts of structured data, including files/blobs.

PostgreSQL - PostgreSQL is a powerful, open source object-relational database system.

SignalDB - SignalDB is a reactive, local-first JavaScript database designed for modern web applications. It combines signal-based reactivity with powerful local data management and real-time synchronization capabilities.

Microsoft SQL - Microsoft SQL is a best in class relational database management software that facilitates the database server to provide you a primary function to store and retrieve data.

PouchDB - Open-source JavaScript database inspired by Apache CouchDB that's designed to run well within the browser