Best Embedded Databases in 2026
Updated
In short: Chroma is ranked #1 of 31 as of 4 October 2026, ahead of LadybugDB and SQLite. The best-ranked option with a free plan is LadybugDB. The lowest first paid tier on this page is HSQLDB at $8.33/mo.
An embedded database provides data storage within an application, so the right fit depends on your data model, query needs, and target platforms. Compare synchronization and encryption alongside maximum database size and query interface. Free-plan availability and “Paid from” add cost information. SQLite leads the ranking, followed by H2 Database Engine and libSQL; ObjectBox and RxDB are also among the first entries. Consider where the application will run and how it needs to handle data, then use the listed criteria to compare the ranked options.
31 embedded databases ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
#1 Chroma Top pick · 7.6 Free plan · $250/mo
#2 LadybugDB Runner-up · 7.6 Free plan · Free
#3 SQLite Also great · 7.6 Free plan · $12.50/mo
- Free plan AndroidapiiOSLinuxmacOSself-hostedWebWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Paid from
- 250 /mo
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms$250/mofirst paid tier About ChromaVisit site - Free plan AndroidapiiOSLinuxmacOSself-hostedWebWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Free plan AndroidapiiOSLinuxmacOSself-hostedWebWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms$12.50/mofirst paid tier About SQLiteVisit site - Free plan AndroidapiiOSLinuxmacOSself-hostedWebWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Paid from
- 99 /mo
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms$99/mofirst paid tier About RxDBVisit site - Free planFree trial AndroidapiiOSLinuxmacOSself-hostedWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Supported platforms
- Android, iOS, Linux, Windows, macOS, Raspberry Pi, and POSIX systems
- Database model
- document
- Query interface
- api
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Free plan apiLinuxmacOSself-hostedWebWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Free plan apiiOSLinuxmacOSself-hostedWindows
- Supported platforms
- Linux, macOS, Windows, iOS, FreeBSD, OpenBSD, AIX, Solaris
- Database model
- key-value
- Query interface
- api
- Encryption
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Free plan AndroidLinuxmacOSWindows
- Supported platforms
- Linux, macOS, Windows
- Database model
- key-value
- Query interface
- api
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Free plan extensionLinuxmacOSself-hostedWebWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Free plan apiLinuxmacOSself-hostedWebWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Free plan AndroidapiiOSLinuxself-hostedWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Free plan LinuxmacOSself-hostedWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms€199/mofirst paid tier About FirebirdVisit site - apiLinuxmacOSself-hostedWebWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Supported platforms
- macOS, Linux, Rust, JavaScript, Python, Go, C, WebAssembly
- Database model
- relational
- Query interface
- sql
- Encryption
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - LinuxmacOSself-hostedWebWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Supported platforms
- Windows and POSIX-compatible systems, including Linux and macOS
- Database model
- key-value
- Query interface
- nosql
- Encryption
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Free trial AndroidapiiOSLinuxmacOSself-hostedWindowsRecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms
- WindowsmacOSLinuxiOSAndroid
- Supported platforms
- Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
- Database model
- key-value
- Query interface
- api
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - AndroidWeb
- Free plan
- Yes
- Supported platforms
- Java SE/EE, Android, Java ME/CDC, and .NET Framework
- Database model
- document
- Query interface
- api
- Encryption
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - WindowsmacOSLinuxiOS
- Supported platforms
- macOS, iOS, Linux, Windows
- Database model
- document
- Query interface
- nosql
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - LinuxWindows
- Supported platforms
- Linux, UNIX, FreeBSD, Windows, and real-time platforms (platform availability varies).
- Database model
- relational
- Query interface
- sql
- Encryption
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - WindowsmacOSLinux
- Supported platforms
- Linux, *BSD, macOS, Windows, and other 64-bit POSIX systems
- Database model
- key-value
- Query interface
- nosql
- Encryption
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - LinuxmacOSWindows
- Supported platforms
- Linux, macOS, Windows
- Database model
- key-value
- Query interface
- api
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms -
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms$8.33/mofirst paid tier About HSQLDBVisit site - Web
- Supported platforms
- Browser; Node.js; Bun; Deno
- Database model
- relational
- Query interface
- sql
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Web
- Free plan
- Yes
- Supported platforms
- Web browsers; Node.js
- Database model
- relational
- Query interface
- sql
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms -
- Free plan
- Yes
- Supported platforms
- Rust crate; no_std targets with atomic compare-and-swap, including Cortex-M3 and above but excluding Cortex-M0
- Database model
- key-value
- Query interface
- api
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms
Is your app on this list?
Numbered spots on this list can be sponsored. They are labelled, and the editorial order and scores never change for payment.
Questions about this list
Which embedded database is ranked first on Everything Xiaomi?
Chroma is ranked #1 of 31 with a score of 7.6. LadybugDB is second and SQLite third.
How many of these have a free plan?
12 of the 25 on this page publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
Which is the cheapest paid option?
On this page, HSQLDB has the lowest first paid tier we found: $8.33/mo.
How is this list ranked?
Ranked on what each maker publishes: documentation depth, a free tier and the platforms it runs on. Paid placements never change a rank.