Finding the Best Local Database for Your Flutter App: A Simple Guide

As a mobile app developer, it's true that we are not worried about dealing with complex databases because most of the time we handle data over the API. But sometimes we need to deal with local databases in different situations like cache data, store credentials, or handle data offline. In this article, we'll explore the scenarios where using a local database is advantageous and the types of databases suitable for mobile app development.

Relational Databases:

1. SQLite (sqflite): A highly reliable, embedded SQLite database that provides complete control over queries and relationships. Best suited for apps requiring full control over database operations.
2. Drift/Moor: An easy-to-use, reactive, and persistent library that allows you to write database tables in pure Dart. Ideal for relational data with type safety and simplified data migration and transactions.
3. Floor: A lightweight SQLite abstraction inspired by Room persistence library. Suitable for reducing boilerplate code while working with relational databases.

Non-Relational Databases:

1. Firebase: A powerful Backend-as-a-Service platform that provides real-time database, cloud storage, and authentication services. Ideal for small applications with limited database complexity or MVP projects.
2. Hive: A super-fast, lightweight, key-value database written in pure Dart. Best suited for simple databases without real-time data synchronization requirements.
3. ObjectBox: A high-performance NoSQL database with integrated Data Sync for decentralized Edge Computing. Ideal for applications requiring scalability, static type checking, and multiplatform support.
4. MongoDB: A schema-less, JSON document database known for its flexibility and scalability. Suitable for applications requiring horizontal scalability, such as e-commerce, social networking, and content management systems.

Usecases

SQLite (sqflite):

• Mobile apps that need full control over database operations and querying
• Apps dealing with structured, relational data
• Apps that require cross-platform compatibility (not web)

Drift/Moor:

• Apps with complex data models and relationships
• Apps that require type-safe database interactions
• Apps that need to handle data migrations and transactions efficiently

Floor:

• Smaller apps with moderate database needs
• Apps that want to reduce boilerplate code for database operations
• Apps that prefer an abstraction layer over SQLite

Firebase Realtime Database:

• Real-time apps that require data synchronization across devices
• Apps with simple data models and querying needs
• Apps that can benefit from Firebase's other services (e.g., authentication, cloud functions)

Hive:

• Apps that need a lightweight, embedded database
• Apps that don't require real-time data synchronization
• Apps that need to store data locally on the device

ObjectBox:

• High-performance apps that need fast data access
• Apps that need to work offline and online (decentralized data)
• Apps that require scalability and type-safe database interactions

MongoDB:

• Apps with unstructured or semi-structured data models
• Apps that need horizontal scalability for large datasets
• Apps that require flexible schema designs (e.g., content management systems, mobile social networks)

Examples

Caching and Offline Data Access:

In mobile applications, network connectivity can be intermittent, and users expect a seamless experience even without an internet connection. Local databases enable us to cache data locally, allowing users to access and interact with the app's content even when they're offline. Examples include:

• News or article readers: Caching the latest articles for offline reading.
• Social media apps: Storing user feeds and posts for offline browsing.
• E-commerce apps: Caching product catalogs and user shopping carts.

Data Persistence and User Preferences:

Local databases are essential for storing user-specific data, preferences, and settings that need to persist across app sessions. Examples include:

• To-do or note-taking apps: Storing user tasks, notes, and reminders.
• Fitness tracking apps: Storing workout logs, progress data, and user settings.
• Gaming apps: Saving game progress, high scores, and user achievements.

Secure Storage:

Local databases can provide secure storage for sensitive data, such as user credentials, API keys, or encryption keys. This approach is often preferred over storing data in plain text files or SharedPreferences (in the case of Android apps).

Improve Performance and Responsiveness:

By storing and retrieving data locally, mobile apps can reduce network requests and improve overall responsiveness. This is particularly useful for applications that deal with large datasets or require frequent data access.

Ultimately, the choice depends on factors like how your data is organized, how fast your app needs to be, how much it needs to grow, and how experienced your team is. It's important to think about how easy the database is to use, how well it performs, and what features it offers, and then decide what matters most for your app.

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