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LiteDB

litedb.org

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Spec score 7.8 #13 of 26 in Mobile Databases

What it is

LiteDB is a free, open-source, serverless .NET NoSQL document database distributed as a single DLL. It stores data in one file and supports ACID transactions, with WAL mode for recovery from write failures. Queries can use SQL-like commands or LINQ, and query EXPLAIN plans are available. LiteDB maps POCO classes to BsonDocument and offers a fluent API for custom mapping. Its intended uses include mobile apps, desktop and local applications, application file formats, web applications, and per-user data stores. FileStorage can keep files and streams in the database, though each root BSON document has a documented 16 MB limit. LiteDB describes itself as thread-safe, with cross-collection transactions, no reader locks, and per-collection writer locks. Password-protected datafile encryption uses salted AES; the documentation specifies ECB mode and says changing or removing a password requires rebuilding the file. LiteDB is free for everyone, including commercial use, under the MIT License. It is installable through NuGet, and the project links to LiteDB.Studio as an administration tool.

Spec sheet

Product
LiteDB is a serverless, embedded .NET NoSQL document database delivered as a single DLL.Read 4 Oct 2026 · litedb.org
Platforms
The site lists .NET Framework, .NET Standard, .NET Core, UWP, Linux, Xamarin iOS and Android, and Unity support.Read 4 Oct 2026 · litedb.org
Integrations
LiteDB is installable through NuGet, and the site links to LiteDB.Studio, an admin tool that supports its SQL commands.Read 4 Oct 2026 · litedb.org
Support
The project directs users to GitHub issues, Gitter chat, and Stack Overflow for community help.Read 4 Oct 2026 · litedb.org
License
The site identifies LiteDB as free and open source and displays the MIT License.Read 4 Oct 2026 · litedb.org
Concurrency
LiteDB describes itself as thread-safe, with cross-collection transactions, no reader locks, and per-collection writer locks.Read 4 Oct 2026 · litedb.org
Data storage
LiteDB stores data in a single datafile and supports ACID transactions and recovery in write failures using WAL mode.Read 4 Oct 2026 · litedb.org
Encryption
LiteDB documents password-protected datafile encryption using salted AES; its encryption page specifies ECB mode and says changing or removing the password requires rebuilding the datafile.Read 4 Oct 2026 · litedb.org
File storage
FileStorage stores files and streams in the database; LiteDB documents a 16 MB limit for each root BSON document.Read 4 Oct 2026 · litedb.org
Mapping
LiteDB maps POCO classes to BsonDocument and supports a fluent API for custom mapping.Read 4 Oct 2026 · litedb.org
Queries
LiteDB supports SQL-like commands, LINQ queries, and query EXPLAIN plans.Read 4 Oct 2026 · litedb.org
Use cases
The site lists mobile apps, desktop and local applications, application file formats, web applications, and per-user data stores as intended uses.Read 4 Oct 2026 · litedb.org

Plans and prices

LiteDB Free Free for everyone, including commercial use Read 4 Oct 2026 · litedb.org

Every LiteDB plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free for commercial and non-commercial use.
  • Stores data in a single datafile.
  • Supports ACID transactions and WAL recovery.
  • Queries support SQL-like commands and LINQ.
  • Available under the MIT License.

Limits

  • Each root BSON document has a 16 MB limit.
  • Changing or removing an encryption password requires rebuilding the datafile.
  • Encryption documentation specifies ECB mode.

Who it suits

LiteDB suits .NET developers who want an embedded document database for local, desktop, mobile, web, or per-user data. Its single-file design and NuGet installation may fit applications that do not require a separate database server.

Verdict

LiteDB provides an embedded, single-file database with transactions, multiple query options, and free commercial use. The 16 MB root-document limit and the documented encryption behavior are important constraints to review.

Where Specifiction places it

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