SQLite vs MariaDB

by Gralio Mar 11, 2025

SQLite excels in simplicity and portability, ideal for smaller, self-contained applications. MariaDB provides greater scalability, features, and security, making it better suited for complex, multi-user environments. Choose SQLite for its ease of use in basic applications; choose MariaDB when performance, security, and advanced features are paramount.

At Gralio.ai we help to simplify your decision-making process by offering detailed, side-by-side software comparisons like this one, to help you confidently choose the tool that aligns with your business goals.

This comparison was created by analysing 666 reviews and 60 websites, saving 4 hours, 12 minutes of reading.

SQLite

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MariaDB

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About

SQLite is a self-contained database system that requires no setup or server management. SQLite Cloud builds upon this by offering a way to synchronize and scale your SQLite databases across multiple devices and servers. This allows you to build applications that work reliably even when offline, while still being able to handle large amounts of data and users.

MariaDB is a popular, free alternative to traditional database software. Developed by the creators of MySQL, it's known for its strong performance, reliability, and open-source nature. MariaDB is highly adaptable, working well for both transaction-heavy tasks (like processing orders) and analyzing large datasets. It's commonly used by companies of all sizes and is a key part of many cloud computing services. Notably, MariaDB offers similar features as more expensive database products but without the high cost.

Summary

Main difference

SQLite is a serverless, embedded database ideal for local, single-user applications and offline functionality. MariaDB is a robust, client-server database better suited for multi-user, high-availability applications requiring scalability and advanced features.

Relative strengths of SQLite (compared to MariaDB)

Easy setup and portability (no server required).
Lightweight and efficient for simple applications.
Cost-effective for basic data storage with a free option.

Relative weaknesses of SQLite (compared to MariaDB)

Limited scalability compared to MariaDB.
Less robust security features than MariaDB.
Simpler feature set, lacking advanced functionalities of MariaDB.

What companies are using SQLite and MariaDB?

No data

Google

Who should use SQLite VS. MariaDB

SQLite and SQLite Cloud offer a serverless, portable, and easy-to-use database solution. Ideal for developers building apps requiring offline capabilities and cross-platform compatibility. While praised for its lightweight nature and ease of setup, users note limitations in database size and complex application handling. SQLite Cloud's synchronization features facilitate scaling across devices.

MariaDB is a robust, open-source database solution known for its performance and reliability. Developed by the creators of MySQL, it offers similar functionality at a lower cost. Users praise its rich features and stable performance, while some note occasional performance issues with larger infrastructures and complex setup processes. It's a popular choice for businesses of all sizes seeking a cost-effective alternative to traditional database software.

Ideal for developers and small to medium-sized businesses seeking a serverless, portable database solution.
Best fit for software development, IT, and education; less suitable for heavily regulated industries.

Ideal for small to large businesses seeking a cost-effective, open-source database solution.
Best fit for software, IT, and telecommunications companies.

SQLite and MariaDB features

Supported

Partially supported

Not supported

Type in the name of the feature or in your own words tell us what you need

Data encryption

Partially supported

Data at rest can be encrypted using external tools. Data in transit is not supported.

Supported

MariaDB encrypts data at rest with AES and in transit with TLS.
Cloud Data Backup

Supported

SQLite Cloud offers automated backups to secure cloud storage for Pro and Scale projects.

Supported

MariaDB supports automated cloud backups via its SkySQL service and integrations with cloud storage providers like AWS S3 and Google Cloud.
Real-time database updates

Partially supported

SQLite does not directly support real-time updates, but workarounds like polling and external services exist.

Partially supported

MariaDB supports real-time updates via data streaming and Change Data Capture, which can indirectly power notifications and webhooks.
SQL support

Supported

SQLite supports SQL for querying data, including SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, and DELETE.

Supported

MariaDB supports SQL for querying data.
NoSQL support

Partially supported

SQLite does not support querying NoSQL databases directly but can be integrated using intermediary layers.

Not supported

MariaDB has NoSQL-like features but does not directly query other NoSQL databases.
Cloud-based deployment

Supported

SQLite Cloud offers managed cloud deployment with scalability and security.

Supported

MariaDB can be deployed in the cloud via platforms like Amazon RDS and Azure.

Qualities

Value and Pricing Transparency

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Customer Service

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Ease of Use

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Reliability and Performance

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Ease of Implementation

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Scalability

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SQLite and MariaDB Pricing

SQLite Cloud is currently in beta and offers a free Sandbox plan with limited resources for prototypes and hobby apps. Paid plans are not yet available, but the Pro plan is expected to be priced at $29 per project per month, while the Scale plan will offer custom pricing. Please note that pricing may change during the beta phase.

Plans

See full Pricing page

No data

We couldn't find a pricing page for MariaDB.

SQLite and MariaDB review insights

Users love

Lightweight and portable.
Easy to setup and use.
Serverless.
Free and open-source.
Cross-platform compatibility.

Feature-rich, including features unavailable in the free version of MySQL.
Often a drop-in replacement for MySQL.
Stable performance, suitable for production environments.
Cost-effective, especially for startups and mid-sized businesses.
Easy integration with various frameworks.

Users dislike

Limited database size.
Not suitable for large or complex applications.
Single-process writes can cause performance bottlenecks.
Security features are limited.
Some SQL features are not fully implemented.

Performance issues can arise with large infrastructures.
Setup and security processes can sometimes be unclear.
Limited cloud provider support.
Occasional incompatibility with third-party tools.
Limited storage capacity.

SQLite and MariaDB Ratings

G2

4.3/5

(256)
Capterra

4.4/5

(117)

G2

4.4/5

(222)
Capterra

4.7/5

(71)
Glassdoor

3.8/5

(56)

Company health

Employee growth

No data

6% decrease in the last year

Web traffic

188% increase in the last quarter

10% decrease in the last quarter

Financing

April 2023 - $5M

July 2023 - $272M

How do SQLite Cloud's eventual paid plans compare to MariaDB's open-source model?

SQLite Cloud's eventual paid plans will likely contrast sharply with MariaDB's open-source model. MariaDB offers its core database software for free, with optional paid subscriptions for enterprise features and support. SQLite Cloud, while currently in beta with a free tier, intends to charge per project on a monthly basis for its Pro and Scale plans. This means users will incur ongoing costs based on the number of projects utilizing SQLite Cloud, whereas MariaDB users can self-host and avoid recurring fees. This difference in pricing models makes MariaDB potentially more appealing for cost-sensitive users and those who prefer greater control over their database infrastructure.

Which database better supports scaling for large datasets: SQLite Cloud or MariaDB?

MariaDB is better suited for scaling with large datasets than SQLite Cloud. While SQLite Cloud offers synchronization and scaling features, its core architecture as a lightweight, embedded database inherently limits its ability to handle the volume and complexity of large datasets compared to MariaDB, which is designed for enterprise-level scaling and complex data operations. MariaDB's established reputation in handling large infrastructures, despite potential performance issues at extreme scales, positions it as more robust for large datasets. Furthermore, user reviews for SQLite Cloud highlight limitations in database size and performance bottlenecks, reinforcing its unsuitability for large applications and extensive data.

What are the advantages of SQLite?

SQLite's advantages include being lightweight, portable, and easy to set up and use. Its serverless nature simplifies deployment, and it's free and open-source, making it cost-effective. Additionally, SQLite offers cross-platform compatibility. SQLite Cloud further extends these benefits by enabling synchronization and scaling across multiple devices and servers, supporting applications that require offline functionality and the ability to handle larger datasets.

What are the disadvantages of SQLite?

SQLite's disadvantages include limited database size, unsuitability for large or complex applications, potential performance bottlenecks due to single-process writes, limited security features, and incomplete implementation of some SQL features.

Alternatives to SQLite and MariaDB

PostgreSQL

PostgreSQL is a reliable, open-source database system businesses use to store and manage their data. Known for its reliability and performance, it's suitable for a wide range of needs, from single computers to large-scale data storage for multiple users. PostgreSQL is free to use and is backed by a large community of developers.

CouchDB

CouchDB is a database designed to be reliable and easy to use with web and mobile applications. It stores data in a way that makes it accessible even offline, syncing back up when a connection is available. CouchDB can be used on anything from a single server to large clusters for demanding projects, making it suitable for different scales of data storage. It is a particularly good choice for applications where offline access and data synchronization are important.

MySQL

MySQL is the world's most popular open-source relational database. It's a reliable and robust system used by companies of all sizes to store and manage data. MySQL offers a range of solutions from free downloads to enterprise-level packages with advanced features and support. Known for its flexibility and performance, MySQL is a popular choice for web applications, data analysis, and more.

MongoDB

MongoDB is a flexible database management software designed for modern businesses. Unlike traditional systems that rely on rigid tables, MongoDB stores data as documents, similar to how we organize information in files. This makes it easier for developers to build applications and adapt to changing needs. MongoDB excels at handling large volumes of diverse data, making it suitable for various tasks like real-time analytics and managing online catalogs.

Microsoft SQL Server

Microsoft SQL Server is a database management system for businesses of all sizes. It helps you analyze various types of data and can be used in multiple environments, including on your servers and in the cloud. SQL Server offers high performance and strong security features. It allows developers to build applications using different programming languages and provides mobile business intelligence tools.

MongoDB Atlas

MongoDB Atlas is a cloud-based database service that's easy for developers to use. It allows you to store information in flexible formats that are like digital filing cabinets. It's designed for businesses of all sizes and can handle various data needs. MongoDB Atlas is reliable, adapts to changes easily, and can grow with your company's needs by spreading information across multiple servers.

Page co-authored by

Michal Kaczor

CEO at Gralio

Michal has worked at startups for many years and writes about topics relating to software selection and IT management. As a former consultant for Bain, a business advisory company, he also knows how to understand needs of any business and find solutions to its problems.

Tymon Terlikiewicz

CTO at Gralio

Tymon is a seasoned CTO who loves finding the perfect tools for any task. He recently headed up the tech department at Batmaid, a well-known Swiss company, where he managed about 60 software purchases, including CX, HR, Payroll, Marketing automation and various developer tools.

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