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PouchDB

pouchdb.com

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Spec score 7.8 #16 of 28 in Document Databases

What it is

PouchDB is a free, open-source JavaScript database for storing application data locally and synchronizing it with CouchDB and compatible servers. It keeps data available offline and can sync local and remote databases after a connection returns. Its replication API can follow later changes and retry after connection failures when configured. PouchDB runs in browsers and Node.js, as well as Cordova, PhoneGap, NW.js, Electron, and Chrome apps. Browser storage defaults to IndexedDB, while Node.js defaults to LevelDB. Documents can include image or audio attachments stored as base64 data or Blobs. PouchDB includes a map/reduce API; Mango queries require the separate pouchdb-find plugin. Its asynchronous API supports callbacks, promises, and async functions, and the project names Angular, React, Ember, and Backbone as framework examples. Listed compatible servers include CouchDB 1.x, 2.x, and 3.x, Cloudant, and PouchDB Server. Replication requires a backend that speaks the CouchDB replication protocol. The project homepage says Apache PouchDB is undergoing incubation at the Apache Software Foundation.

Spec sheet

Purpose
PouchDB is an open-source JavaScript database designed to store data locally and sync it with CouchDB and compatible servers.Read 8 Oct 2026 · pouchdb.com
API
PouchDB provides an asynchronous API that supports callbacks, promises, and async functions.Read 8 Oct 2026 · pouchdb.com
Integrations
The project describes itself as framework-agnostic and names Angular, React, Ember, and Backbone as examples.Read 8 Oct 2026 · pouchdb.com
Support
The project homepage points users to GitHub Discussions, Slack, and Stack Overflow for discussion.Read 8 Oct 2026 · pouchdb.com
Attachments
Documents can contain attachments such as images and audio files, stored as base64 data or Blobs.Read 8 Oct 2026 · pouchdb.com
Compatibility limit
PouchDB cannot replicate with a backend that does not speak the CouchDB replication protocol.Read 8 Oct 2026 · pouchdb.com
Compatible servers
The adapters page lists tested support for CouchDB 1.x, 2.x, and 3.x, Cloudant, and PouchDB Server.Read 8 Oct 2026 · pouchdb.com
Environments
PouchDB runs in browsers and Node.js, and can be used in Cordova, PhoneGap, NW.js, Electron, and Chrome apps.Read 8 Oct 2026 · pouchdb.com
Offline use
Applications can store data locally while offline and synchronize it when they reconnect.Read 8 Oct 2026 · pouchdb.com
Project status
The homepage says Apache PouchDB is undergoing incubation at the Apache Software Foundation.Read 8 Oct 2026 · pouchdb.com
Queries
PouchDB includes a map/reduce API, while its Mango query API is available through a separate pouchdb-find plugin and is not shipped by default.Read 8 Oct 2026 · pouchdb.com
Replication
Its replication API can sync local and remote databases, track future changes, and retry after connection failures when configured to do so.Read 8 Oct 2026 · pouchdb.com
Security and compliance
The opened official pages describe HTTPS database URLs as supported but do not state a security certification or compliance standard.Read 8 Oct 2026 · pouchdb.com
Storage
PouchDB uses IndexedDB in browsers by default and LevelDB in Node.js by default.Read 8 Oct 2026 · pouchdb.com
Storage limit
The adapters page says Cordova SQLite can allow unlimited storage compared with IndexedDB and WebSQL storage limits.Read 8 Oct 2026 · pouchdb.com

Plans and prices

Free and open source Free Read 8 Oct 2026 · pouchdb.com

Every PouchDB plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free and open source
  • Supports offline storage and synchronization
  • Runs in browsers and Node.js
  • Documents can include image or audio attachments

Limits

  • Cannot replicate with non-CouchDB-protocol backends
  • Mango queries require a separate plugin
  • Cordova SQLite is needed for unlimited storage compared with browser limits

Who it suits

PouchDB suits JavaScript developers building apps that need local data access and synchronization with CouchDB-compatible servers. It can fit projects using a range of browser, Node.js, and mobile or desktop environments.

Verdict

PouchDB is a free local database with synchronization for compatible servers and a broad set of JavaScript environments. Check the replication protocol requirement and separate Mango-query plugin before choosing it.

Where Specifiction places it

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