Best Offline-First Databases for Windows of 2025

SQLite is a C-language library that offers a compact, efficient, and reliable SQL database engine that is fully featured. Recognized as the most popular database engine globally, SQLite is embedded in every mobile device and the majority of computers, while also being included in a myriad of applications that are used daily by individuals. Operating as an in-process library, SQLite provides a self-sufficient, serverless, and zero-configuration transactional SQL database engine. The source code of SQLite resides in the public domain, making it available for anyone to use freely, whether for commercial or personal purposes. With its extensive deployment and integration into numerous applications, SQLite stands out as an invaluable tool for developers in various high-profile projects. Its versatility and ease of use contribute to its unmatched popularity in the database landscape.

WatermelonDB is a cutting-edge reactive database framework tailored for the development of robust React and React Native applications that can efficiently scale from a few hundred to tens of thousands of records while maintaining high speed. It guarantees immediate app launches, regardless of the amount of data, incorporates lazy loading to fetch data only when necessary, and features offline-first capabilities along with synchronization with your own backend systems. This framework is designed to be multiplatform. Specifically optimized for React, it facilitates uncomplicated data integration into components and is framework-agnostic, allowing developers to use its JavaScript API in conjunction with various other UI frameworks. Built on a solid SQLite infrastructure, WatermelonDB offers static typing through Flow or TypeScript, while also providing optional reactivity via an RxJS API. It effectively tackles performance challenges in complex applications by deferring data loading until explicitly requested and executing all queries directly on SQLite in a dedicated native thread, which ensures that the majority of queries are resolved almost instantly. Additionally, this innovative framework supports seamless data management, making it a versatile choice for developers aiming to enhance the performance and responsiveness of their applications.

OrbitDB functions as a decentralized, serverless, peer-to-peer database that leverages IPFS for data storage and utilizes Libp2p Pubsub for seamless synchronization among peers. It incorporates Merkle-CRDTs to facilitate conflict-free writing and merging of database entries, making it ideal for decentralized applications, blockchain projects, and web apps designed to operate primarily offline. The platform provides a range of database types that cater to distinct requirements: 'events' serves as immutable append-only logs, 'documents' allows for JSON document storage indexed by specific keys, 'keyvalue' offers conventional key-value pair storage, and 'keyvalue-indexed' provides LevelDB-indexed key-value data. Each of these database types is constructed on OpLog, a structure that is immutable, cryptographically verifiable, and based on operation-driven CRDT principles. The JavaScript implementation is compatible with both browser and Node.js environments, while a version in Go is actively maintained by the Berty project, ensuring a wide range of support for developers. This flexibility and adaptability make OrbitDB a powerful choice for those looking to implement modern data solutions in distributed systems.

Actian Zen is a compact, efficient database management system tailored for embedded use in edge applications, mobile technologies, and IoT settings. This system uniquely combines SQL and NoSQL data structures, offering developers the versatility needed to handle both structured and unstructured information. Renowned for its minimal resource requirements, scalability, and dependable performance, Actian Zen is particularly suited for environments that have limited resources and demand consistent output with low maintenance. It boasts integrated security measures and an architecture that automatically adjusts, allowing for real-time data processing and analytics while minimizing the need for continuous oversight. Its application spans various sectors, including healthcare, retail, and manufacturing, where the capacity for edge computing and managing distributed datasets is vital for operational success. As businesses increasingly rely on technology, the significance of Actian Zen in facilitating efficient data management will only grow.

FairCom EDGE makes it easy to integrate sensor and machine data at their source - be that a factory, water treatment facility, oil platform, wind farm, or other industrial site. FairCom EDGE is the first converged IoT/Industrial IoT hub in the world. It unifies messaging and persistence with an all-in one solution. It also offers browser-based administration, configuration, and monitoring. FairCom EDGE supports MQTT, OPC UA and SQL for machine-tomachine (M2M), communication, and HTTP/REST for monitoring and real-time reporting. It constantly retrieves data from sensors and devices with OPC UA support and receives messages from machines with MQTT support. The data is automatically parsed and persisted, and made available via MQTT or SQL.

Couchbase distinguishes itself from other NoSQL databases by delivering an enterprise-grade, multicloud to edge solution that is equipped with the powerful features essential for mission-critical applications on a platform that is both highly scalable and reliable. This distributed cloud-native database operates seamlessly in contemporary dynamic settings, accommodating any cloud environment, whether it be customer-managed or a fully managed service. Leveraging open standards, Couchbase merges the advantages of NoSQL with the familiar structure of SQL, thereby facilitating a smoother transition from traditional mainframe and relational databases. Couchbase Server serves as a versatile, distributed database that integrates the benefits of relational database capabilities, including SQL and ACID transactions, with the adaptability of JSON, all built on a foundation that is remarkably fast and scalable. Its applications span various industries, catering to needs such as user profiles, dynamic product catalogs, generative AI applications, vector search, high-speed caching, and much more, making it an invaluable asset for organizations seeking efficiency and innovation.

Unleash the power of low-code development with no restrictions, enabling the rapid creation of web and mobile applications through an intuitive visual interface filled with pre-designed components. Adapt and innovate your applications swiftly to meet the evolving needs of your business, utilizing features such as in-app guided tours, reusable templates, and one-click deployments to the cloud, while also simplifying data integration with visual mapping tools to enhance overall efficiency. Seamlessly connect with any backend data source, managing data collection and transformation across various systems with ease. Craft stunning applications that cater to diverse audiences on any device, ensuring an exceptional user experience without constraints. Speed up your development process by leveraging over 100 pre-built native UI widgets designed for both mobile and web platforms. Take advantage of the complete range of native mobile app capabilities, responsive designs, and progressive web app (PWA) features to guarantee optimal performance, experience, and security. Create versatile omni-channel experiences from a single design canvas that encompasses mobile, web, wearables, and beyond, thus broadening your reach and impact in the digital landscape. Additionally, this streamlined approach fosters collaboration among teams, allowing for innovative solutions to emerge more rapidly than ever before.