HSQLDB vs SQLite
HSQLDB
hsqldb.org
SQLite
sqlite.orgSide by side
| Figure | HSQLDB | SQLite |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $8.33/mo | $12.50/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | Yes | Yes |
| Web | — | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | — | Yes |
| Android | — | Yes |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 11 | 16 |
| Spec score · Sql Databases | 9.2 (#1) | 8.7 (#4) |
| Spec score · Relational Databases | 9.1 (#2) | 8.6 (#6) |
| Spec score · Embedded Databases | 9.2 (#2) | 8.7 (#3) |
| Spec score · Database Software | 8.9 (#13) | 9.4 (#2) |
| Capacity | Official limits include disk tables up to 8 TB, text tables up to 256 GB and individual CLOB/BLOB storage up to 64 TB. | The documented maximum database size is 281 terabytes and the maximum row size is 1 gigabyte. |
| Founded | 2001 | 2000 |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Latest release | The official latest release is version 2.7.4, dated 25 October 2024. | Version 3.54.1 was released on 2026-10-16. |
| License | HSQLDB source and binaries use permissive BSD-based licenses, with separate terms for legacy Hypersonic SQL code. | SQLite source code is in the public domain and is free for commercial or private use without a license. |
| Maker | HSQLDB is developed and published by The HSQL Development Group, formed in 2001. | Paid support and products are provided by Hipp, Wyrick & Company, Inc. (Hwaci), headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, and in business since 1992. |
| Product | HSQLDB is a Java-based relational database engine with in-memory and disk-based tables, supporting embedded and server modes. | SQLite is an in-process, self-contained, serverless, zero-configuration transactional SQL database engine. |
| Rating on G2 | 4.0 out of 5 from 22 reviews. | 4.3 out of 5 from 260 reviews |
| Support | Support options include a help forum, a user mailing list, bug and feature request trackers, paid SupportWare, and professional commercial support. | SQLite offers a free public forum as well as paid private email and technical support options. |
| Transactions | The engine supports lock-based and MVCC transaction models and is fully multithreaded. | SQLite transactions are atomic, consistent, isolated, and durable even after system crashes and power failures. |
| What it does | HSQLDB (HyperSQL) is a Java relational database engine supporting transactional in-memory and disk tables in embedded or server deployments. | SQLite is an in-process C library that provides a self-contained, serverless, zero-configuration SQL database engine. |
Plans
HSQLDB
- Developer subscription$100 a year
- Basic Corporate subscriptionPrice not published
- Premier Corporate subscription$2,500 a year
- HSQLDBFree
- HSQLDB softwareFree
- Developer SupportWare$100 a year
- SupportWare Developer subscription$100 a year
- Basic Corporate SupportWare$500 a year
- SupportWare Basic Corporate subscription$500 a year
- Premier Corporate SupportWare$2,500 a year
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
HSQLDB
HSQLDB is a Java-based relational database engine for embedded or server use, with both in-memory and disk-based tables. It supports SQL:2023 core features and many optional features, plus lock-based and MVCC transaction models; the engine is fully multithreaded. Listed capabilities include JSON constructor functions, CSV loading and unloading, temporal system-versioned tables, row-level access control, and log-based replica synchronization. It includes a command-line SQL tool and simple GUI query tools. The latest official release listed is version 2.7.4, compatible with JDK 8 and above, and packages include Java 11 module jars as well as Java 8 jars for HSQLDB and SQL Tool. HSQLDB is self-hosted, with high availability, read replicas, and JSON data support listed. Its default combined limit for CACHED tables is 8TB, extendable to 256TB with a connection property; each TEXT table is limited to 256GB, and memory tables depend on available memory. The software is free to use in commercial products when license terms are met; its licenses are based on the new BSD License. The HSQLDB plan is free. A Developer subscription is $100 a year; Premier Corporate is $2,500 a year at the base level. Support options include community channels and paid commercial support.
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.