DuckDB UI vs SQLite
DuckDB UI
duckdb.org
SQLite
sqlite.orgSide by side
| Figure | DuckDB UI | SQLite |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | $12.50/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | Yes |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | — | Yes |
| Android | — | Yes |
| API | — | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 16 |
| Spec score · Embedded Databases | 8.3 (#8) | 8.7 (#3) |
Plans
SQLite
- Public ForumFree
- SQLiteFree
- SQLite Consortium Membership$150 a year
- Technical Support$885 a year
- Annual Maintenance Subscription$1,500 a year
- Annual Maintenance Subscription$1,500 a year
- CEROD$2,000, paid once
- CEROD$2,000, paid once
- SQLite Encryption Extension (SEE)$2,000, paid once
- SQLite Encryption Extension (SEE)$2,000, paid once
In their own words
DuckDB UI
DuckDB UI is a free browser interface for a local DuckDB instance, added through the ui extension. Start it with `duckdb -ui` or `CALL start_ui()`; it opens in the default browser and is served by an HTTP server embedded in DuckDB, available by default at `http://localhost:4213`. The interface includes a SQL notebook with autocomplete and keyboard shortcuts, a catalog browser, a table explorer with column statistics, and a results viewer with sorting and filtering. The native DuckDB process gives it access to local cores, memory, and files. Queries run locally by default, and queries and data stay on the computer. Connecting to MotherDuck is optional and requires signing in. The UI is built and maintained by MotherDuck. The local server retrieves interface files from ui.duckdb.org, so alternate configured URLs should be trusted because the application can access loaded DuckDB data. The UI cannot be run directly against a read-only database and does not currently support windows_arm64.
SQLite
SQLite is a transactional SQL database engine that runs within an application, without a separate server process or configuration. Each complete database resides in a single disk file that works across platforms. Its SQL features include partial indexes, indexes on expressions, JSON, common table expressions, and window functions. Transactions are atomic, consistent, isolated, and durable, including after system crashes and power failures. A database file can have unlimited simultaneous readers, but only one writer at a time. The project recommends SQLite for device-local storage with low writer concurrency and less than a terabyte of content. SQLite is free for commercial or private use, with source code in the public domain. Downloads include source and precompiled binaries for Android, Linux, Mac OS X, and Windows, along with WebAssembly and JavaScript bundles for web applications. A free public forum is available, alongside paid private email and technical support options. The maker is based in Charlotte, North Carolina, and was founded in 2000.