Best Embedded Databases in 2026
Updated
In short: ObjectBox is ranked #1 of 31 as of 4 October 2026, ahead of Chroma and SQLite. The best-ranked option with a free plan is Chroma. The lowest first paid tier on this page is HSQLDB at $8.33/mo.
An embedded database becomes part of an application, so its data model, query interface, and supported platforms are useful starting points for comparison. Check whether synchronization or encryption is specified, then consider maximum database size and the listed free-plan and paid-from details. ObjectBox, Chroma, and SQLite are among the available options. The comparison fields can help you gauge whether a database’s stated capabilities and platform support suit your project, and whether its size and pricing details fit the way you expect the application to store and access data.
31 embedded databases ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
31ranked
15free plans on this page
$8.33/molowest paid tier
4 Oct 2026last checked
Input list Embedded Databases 25 channels on this page · 71 of 200 spec lines stated by the makers
Ch Tool Free planPaid fromSupported platformsDatabase modelQuery interfaceEncryptionData synchronizationMaximum database size Spec sheet Score
01 ObjectBox Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsAndroid, iOS, Linux, Windows, macOS, Raspberry Pi, and POSIX systemsDatabase modeldocumentQuery interfaceapiEncryptionnot statedData synchronizationYesMaximum database size1 GB 6/8spec lines stated 8.0
02 Chroma Free planYesPaid from$250/moSupported platformsnot statedDatabase modelnot statedQuery interfacenot statedEncryptionnot statedData synchronizationnot statedMaximum database sizenot stated 2/8spec lines stated 7.9
03 SQLite Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsnot statedDatabase modelnot statedQuery interfacenot statedEncryptionnot statedData synchronizationnot statedMaximum database sizenot stated 1/8spec lines stated 7.9
04 LadybugDB Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsnot statedDatabase modelnot statedQuery interfacenot statedEncryptionnot statedData synchronizationnot statedMaximum database sizenot stated 1/8spec lines stated 7.8
05 RxDB Free planYesPaid from$99/moSupported platformsnot statedDatabase modelnot statedQuery interfacenot statedEncryptionnot statedData synchronizationnot statedMaximum database sizenot stated 2/8spec lines stated 7.7
06 Qdrant Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsnot statedDatabase modelnot statedQuery interfacenot statedEncryptionnot statedData synchronizationnot statedMaximum database sizenot stated 1/8spec lines stated 7.6
07 RocksDB Free plannot statedPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsLinux, macOS, Windows, iOS, FreeBSD, OpenBSD, AIX, SolarisDatabase modelkey-valueQuery interfaceapiEncryptionYesData synchronizationNoMaximum database sizenot stated 5/8spec lines stated 7.5
08 bbolt Free plannot statedPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, AndroidDatabase modelkey-valueQuery interfaceapiEncryptionnot statedData synchronizationnot statedMaximum database sizenot stated 3/8spec lines stated 7.4
09 Accessibility Test Framework for Android Free plannot statedPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsLinux, macOS, WindowsDatabase modelkey-valueQuery interfaceapiEncryptionnot statedData synchronizationnot statedMaximum database sizenot stated 3/8spec lines stated 7.3
10 DuckDB UI Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsnot statedDatabase modelnot statedQuery interfacenot statedEncryptionnot statedData synchronizationnot statedMaximum database sizenot stated 1/8spec lines stated 7.3
11 Firebird Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsnot statedDatabase modelnot statedQuery interfacenot statedEncryptionnot statedData synchronizationnot statedMaximum database sizenot stated 1/8spec lines stated 7.2
12 libSQL Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsmacOS, Linux, Rust, JavaScript, Python, Go, C, WebAssemblyDatabase modelrelationalQuery interfacesqlEncryptionYesData synchronizationYesMaximum database sizenot stated 6/8spec lines stated 7.2
13 LiteDB Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsnot statedDatabase modelnot statedQuery interfacenot statedEncryptionnot statedData synchronizationnot statedMaximum database sizenot stated 1/8spec lines stated 7.2
14 eXtremeDB Free plannot statedPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsnot statedDatabase modelnot statedQuery interfacenot statedEncryptionnot statedData synchronizationnot statedMaximum database sizenot stated 0/8spec lines stated 7.1
15 H2 Database Engine Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsnot statedDatabase modelnot statedQuery interfacenot statedEncryptionnot statedData synchronizationnot statedMaximum database sizenot stated 1/8spec lines stated 7.1
16 LMDB Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsWindows and POSIX-compatible systems, including Linux and macOSDatabase modelkey-valueQuery interfacenosqlEncryptionYesData synchronizationNoMaximum database sizenot stated 6/8spec lines stated 7.1
17 EJDB2 Free plannot statedPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsmacOS, iOS, Linux, WindowsDatabase modeldocumentQuery interfacenosqlEncryptionnot statedData synchronizationnot statedMaximum database sizenot stated 3/8spec lines stated 6.8
18 LanceDB Free plannot statedPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsnot statedDatabase modelnot statedQuery interfacenot statedEncryptionnot statedData synchronizationnot statedMaximum database sizenot stated 0/8spec lines stated 6.8
19 Perst Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsJava SE/EE, Android, Java ME/CDC, and .NET FrameworkDatabase modeldocumentQuery interfaceapiEncryptionYesData synchronizationYesMaximum database size1,024 GB 7/8spec lines stated 6.2
20 Empress Embedded Database Free plannot statedPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsLinux, UNIX, FreeBSD, Windows, and real-time platforms (platform availability varies).Database modelrelationalQuery interfacesqlEncryptionYesData synchronizationYesMaximum database sizenot stated 5/8spec lines stated 6.0
21 WiredTiger Free plannot statedPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsLinux, *BSD, macOS, Windows, and other 64-bit POSIX systemsDatabase modelkey-valueQuery interfacenosqlEncryptionYesData synchronizationnot statedMaximum database sizenot stated 4/8spec lines stated 6.0
22 HSQLDB Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsnot statedDatabase modelnot statedQuery interfacenot statedEncryptionnot statedData synchronizationnot statedMaximum database sizenot stated 1/8spec lines stated 5.9
23 LevelDB Free plannot statedPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsLinux, macOS, WindowsDatabase modelkey-valueQuery interfaceapiEncryptionnot statedData synchronizationnot statedMaximum database sizenot stated 3/8spec lines stated 5.9
24 PGlite Free plannot statedPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsBrowser; Node.js; Bun; DenoDatabase modelrelationalQuery interfacesqlEncryptionnot statedData synchronizationYesMaximum database sizenot stated 4/8spec lines stated 5.7
25 sql.js Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsWeb browsers; Node.jsDatabase modelrelationalQuery interfacesqlEncryptionnot statedData synchronizationnot statedMaximum database sizenot stated 4/8spec lines stated 5.7
Is your tool on this list?
Numbered spots on this list can be sponsored. They are labelled, and the editorial order and scores never change for payment.
Questions about this list
Which embedded database is ranked first on Specifiction?
ObjectBox is ranked #1 of 31 with a score of 8.0. Chroma is second and SQLite third.
How many of these have a free plan?
15 of the 25 on this page publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
Which is the cheapest paid option?
On this page, HSQLDB has the lowest first paid tier we found: $8.33/mo.
How is this list ranked?
Ranked on what each maker publishes, the fullest spec sheet first: how deeply the product is documented, the platforms it runs on, a free tier or trial to test it, and its standing. Paid placements never change a rank.
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