SQLite vs PostgreSQL: Complete Comparison Guide
Compare SQLite and PostgreSQL on architecture, scalability, use cases, and performance. Discover which SQL database is the best fit for your project.
SQLite
An embedded SQL database that operates as a single file on disk without a separate server process. SQLite is the most widely deployed database in the world, present in every smartphone, browser, and operating system. With zero configuration and cross-platform support, it is ideal for embedded systems, mobile apps, and edge computing.
PostgreSQL
A powerful open-source object-relational database system with over 35 years of active development. PostgreSQL provides full ACID compliance, advanced data types, extensions like PostGIS and pg_vector, and excellent scalability. It is the database of choice for demanding production environments.
Comparison table
| Feature | SQLite | PostgreSQL |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Embedded — runs in-process as a single file, no server needed | Client-server — separate database process with network access |
| Concurrency | Limited — write operations lock the entire database (WAL mode helps) | Excellent — MVCC for concurrent read and write operations |
| Scalability | Suitable for low to medium load, not for high concurrency | Horizontally and vertically scalable for enterprise workloads |
| Extensions | Limited extension ecosystem | Rich ecosystem — PostGIS, pg_vector, TimescaleDB, Citus, and more |
| Configuration | Zero configuration — immediately usable without installation | Configuration required — tuning for optimal production performance |
| Edge/Mobile | Ideal — native support on all platforms, tiny footprint | Not suitable for edge or mobile due to server process requirement |
Verdict
SQLite and PostgreSQL serve fundamentally different use cases. SQLite is unmatched as an embedded database: zero configuration, file-based, and running on every platform. It is the perfect choice for mobile apps, edge computing, and embedded systems. PostgreSQL, on the other hand, is a full-featured production database with advanced capabilities like MVCC, extensions, and excellent scalability. The two do not directly compete — SQLite for local and embedded applications, PostgreSQL for server-based production environments.
Our recommendation
At MG Software, we use PostgreSQL via Supabase as our primary production database for all web and API projects. The combination of ACID compliance, extensions like pg_vector for AI applications, and excellent scalability makes PostgreSQL our default choice. We deploy SQLite for specific edge scenarios, local caching, and embedded applications. With the rise of Turso and libSQL, we also increasingly see SQLite in serverless edge architectures.
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