MySQL vs SQLite comparison

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MySQL

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Jan 23, 2025

SQLite and MySQL are both database solutions that compete in the category of relational database management systems. MySQL seems to have the upper hand due to its scalability and advanced features suited for complex applications, whereas SQLite is ideal for smaller, more lightweight needs.

Features: SQLite offers simplicity, a zero-configuration setup, and minimal resource usage, which makes it extremely useful for mobile apps, and small to medium-sized applications. MySQL is equipped with advanced features like high performance for handling complex queries, a variety of storage engines, and high concurrency support, making it perfect for large-scale applications.

Room for Improvement: SQLite could enhance its support for more complex multi-user environments and offer better scalability options. Strengthening data security features and increasing concurrency capacity would make it more attractive for larger applications. MySQL could improve its initial setup process to be more user-friendly for beginners, reduce its resource consumption in smaller environments, and simplify its licensing options to appeal to a broader user base.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: SQLite offers an easy deployment process with no external dependencies, making it extremely quick to implement. MySQL, requiring a dedicated server and extra configuration, involves a more complex setup but offers comprehensive customer support options.

Pricing and ROI: SQLite, being open-source, involves no initial cost, providing excellent ROI for projects with limited budgets. MySQL, also open-source but with optional enterprise-level features, may entail additional costs, yet its advanced capabilities can deliver significant ROI for enterprises needing robust data solutions.

To learn more, read our detailed MySQL vs. SQLite Report (Updated: February 2026).

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MySQL vs. SQLite

February 2026

Helped 881,455 peers since 2012

Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Categories and Ranking

MySQL

Ranking in Open Source Databases

1st

Average Rating

8.2

Reviews Sentiment

7.1

Number of Reviews

153

Ranking in other categories

Relational Databases Tools (4th)

SQLite

Ranking in Open Source Databases

13th

Average Rating

7.2

Reviews Sentiment

5.5

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Embedded Database (1st)

Mindshare comparison

As of February 2026, in the Open Source Databases category, the mindshare of MySQL is 9.7%, down from 12.1% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of SQLite is 5.4%, up from 3.8% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Open Source Databases Market Share Distribution
Product	Market Share (%)
MySQL	9.7%
SQLite	5.4%
Other	84.9%

Open Source Databases

Featured Reviews

Pranay Jain

Software Developer at US tech company

Robust relational data foundation has supported rapid growth and improved user data management

MySQL can be improved in several ways. It has connectivity errors and administration troubles that sometimes occur, though not consistently. MySQL has slow queries; sometimes when I run a query, it scans the whole table, and if the data is very large, it takes too much time to retrieve the data. There can be resource bottlenecks with RAM and CPU usage being a little lower than ideal. Monitoring system metrics is crucial because we need to identify and address these types of issues. Schema designing is another area for improvement, as a poorly designed schema can lead to data redundancy in the future. If I haven't initially planned for a 20 lakh user database and am only working with a 1,000 user case, it will be very problematic because in the future, it will affect the whole table structure, and we will need to change everything. Thorough thinking is necessary before even creating the table. MySQL documentation could be better. Sometimes when I need to find something related to MySQL, the documentation is not very comprehensive. If I have a problem with it, I have to go to Stack Overflow or something similar to get the full detail. Additionally, sometimes when we are connecting to local MySQL, it says we cannot connect to SQL, and I don't know the reason. The error messages are not very helpful, so we have to investigate those cases manually. There are multiple instances of this occurring. Documentation can be better overall. The integration capabilities could be improved slightly. Whatever I have used is working fine for me currently, but it could be a little better. The UI of MySQL Workbench, which I use, is not appealing to me, so it could be improved. MySQL overall is very good, and the foundation is very strong. We can develop features around it and different types of things inside it, which will make it better in the future.

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Neeraj Tiwari

Student at Queens University Belfast

Pretty easy to execute my SQL queries but issues while uploading and importing my dataset

It was a bit easy to use compared to other tools. It's simple. I found it pretty easy to execute my SQL queries. Since I was a beginner, it was comfortable for me to learn SQL using SQLite. However, when I used it for my professional work and for my assignments, I found some complications. Maybe I'm not proficient with it, that's why. The main benefit for me was learning. Since I was new to SQL, SQLite helped me understand how to work with structured data.

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Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Pros

"The solution is very stable."

"A lot of the software components have been trialed and tested for often more than 10 years."

"I find MySQL's relational data storage format very useful for data management. Our structure is well-defined and easy for end users and business stakeholders to read. I appreciate the tool's simplicity and ability to integrate with our backend tools."

"I am totally satisfied with MySQL."

"The solution is easy to use."

"We are completely comfortable with the database’s performance and it is a mature product. My organization was looking for an open-source database for our smaller customers like the community edition. For bigger customers, we can scale into commercial and supported editions."

"The feature I found most valuable is activity performance."

"MySQL is easy to use, has fast performance, and it is comfortable for end-user to use. The schema level and structure we are using are very simple and easy to understand. Additionally, packaging tool development is straightforward and the data is presented in a way that is very simple to understand."

More MySQL pros

"I use Flutter Technology with the JSF plugin."

"Sometimes, you want data to persist within the app even when there's no internet connectivity. To avoid showing blank screens, we can use SQLite to store data locally and then sync it with the cloud database when connectivity is restored."

"It was a bit easy to use compared to other tools. It's simple. I found it pretty easy to execute my SQL queries."

"SQLite’s most valuable feature is the ability to store granular-level backups of databases."

"The product is lightweight and highly scalable."

"I haven't encountered any problems in my use cases. So, it has been a stable product for me."

Cons

"I find the Microsoft solution a bit better. But mostly in terms of the UI layout, I would say. I just find it a little bit more efficient."

"The data masking functionality should be improved as well as the native encryption functionality in the MySQL database."

"It would be helpful if there were a graphical user interface to administer, configure, and tune it."

"As for areas that could be improved, the tool is often used as a local database on laptops. But now, we're moving to cloud-based solutions that are more scalable and highly available. I think the tool should offer a cloud database option. This would let users keep a local copy of data if needed, but also have their data available across different regions through a cloud account."

"On the database side, it should be really lightweight, and the data structure should be like MongoDB."

"MySQL tutorials and guides could be improved. Often they are too complex for someone with no database experience to understand."

"We have encountered some performance issues, and the solution takes time for performing complex queries."

"Could use some additional JSON query support in the solution."

More MySQL cons

"There are some difficulties on the server side. When syncing data with databases like SQL Server or Oracle, SQLite requires a kind of double effort."

"I primarily use SQLite for small-scale applications due to its limitations in storing large amounts of data. For larger-scale projects, I typically opt for MySQL or other alternatives. Storing a large number of dates in SQLite can significantly impact its performance."

"It could have a user-friendly GUI and better intelligence features."

"Compared to other tools, the performance was less effective than that of Microsoft Access."

"A potential drawback is that the database file stored within the application's local storage could be accessible to users."

"The performance could be better."

Pricing and Cost Advice

"The tool is open source."

"It is open source. We prefer it for POCs because it saves the license cost."

"When you know the setup will continue to grow, make sure you have the paid support."

"I don't pay for a license."

"It's an open-source database management system that can be used free of charge."

"Microsoft licensing for SQL Server is probably ten times more expensive. I used to work for the government, and I remember when we were looking into upgrading to the enterprise version of SQL Server 2019, the licensing was going to cost 350,000. To get the equivalent in the cloud, it was going to be about four grand to get the same processing power and everything else. With MySQL, it was going to be about 300 for the same licensing. Cost-wise, for sure, there is a huge difference. Would you prefer to pay 300 a month or 3,000 to have the same amount of data resources? You might lose a few options that you need, but it isn't worth the price difference."

"There is not a license required for this solution."

"We are using the licensed version of MySQL."

More MySQL pricing and cost advice

"The tool is open-source."

"It's a good value."

"It's not expensive."

"I rate the product’s pricing a six out of ten."

See which vendors are best for you

Use our free recommendation engine to learn which Open Source Databases solutions are best for your needs.

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

10%

Financial Services Firm

10%

Manufacturing Company

Government

Computer Software Company

13%

Comms Service Provider

12%

Financial Services Firm

11%

Manufacturing Company

10%

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	74
Midsize Enterprise	33
Large Enterprise	62

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	5
Midsize Enterprise	1
Large Enterprise	3

Questions from the Community

Why are MySQL connections encrypted and what is the biggest benefit of this?

MySQL encrypts connections to protect your data and the biggest benefit from this is that nobody can corrupt it. If you move information over a network without encryption, you are endangering it, m...

Considering that there is a free version of MySQL, would you invest in one of the paid editions?

I may be considered a MySQL veteran since I have been using it since before Oracle bought it and created paid versions. So back in my day, it was all free, it was open-source and the best among sim...

What is one thing you would improve with MySQL?

One thing I would improve related to MySQL is not within the product itself, but with the guides to it. Before, when it was free, everyone was on their own, seeking tutorials and how-to videos onli...

What do you like most about SQLite?

It was a bit easy to use compared to other tools. It's simple. I found it pretty easy to execute my SQL queries.

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for SQLite?

It is not expensive.

What needs improvement with SQLite?

There were some complications. For example, you have to upload the dataset into SQLite, and once it's uploaded, you might find difficulties working with it.

Oracle Berkeley DB vs SQLite

Comparisons

Firebird SQL vs MySQL

Compared 23% of the time

PostgreSQL vs MySQL

Compared 10% of the time

SQL Server vs MySQL

Compared 6% of the time

MariaDB vs MySQL

Compared 5% of the time

InfluxDB vs MySQL

Compared 3% of the time

More MySQL Competitors

Firebird SQL vs SQLite

Compared 23% of the time

InfluxDB vs SQLite

Compared 11% of the time

LanceDB vs SQLite

Compared 8% of the time

Compared 7% of the time

DuckDB vs SQLite

Compared 6% of the time

More SQLite Competitors

Product Reports

Download MySQL product report

MySQL

January 2026

Download SQLite product report

January 2026

Overview

MySQL is an open-source database known for its ease of use and high performance. It offers features like replication and clustering, making it ideal for diverse applications. Its cost-effectiveness and LAMP integration are key advantages for businesses.

MySQL supports a variety of languages and platforms, providing reliable, scalable data management. Its graphical interface and LAMP architecture integration enhance its usability, while community support further strengthens its appeal. Challenges include scalability issues with large databases, lack of advanced clustering, and limited high-availability features. Complex queries may affect performance, and integration can pose difficulties. The outdated interface and insufficient documentation are also concerns, along with replication and backup reliability issues.

What are MySQL's key features?

Open-source nature: Freely available and customizable.
Cross-platform compatibility: Supports multiple operating systems.
Scalability: Capable of handling large volumes of data.
Replication and clustering: Ensure data redundancy and load balancing.
Full-text search: Provides powerful search capabilities.
LAMP integration: Seamlessly integrates with Linux, Apache, and PHP.

What benefits should users consider?

Cost-effectiveness: Reduces expenses due to its open-source nature.
High performance: Efficiently processes large volumes of data.
Active community support: Access to a wide range of resources and expertise.
Versatile use cases: Suitable for varied applications including web development and IoT.

MySQL is widely implemented in industries such as web development, e-commerce, and finance. It's used for managing dynamic websites, powering e-commerce platforms, and supporting financial applications. Its compatibility with PHP and cost-effectiveness make it suitable for CMS platforms like WordPress. With cloud services integration, MySQL is a backend choice for scalable applications in various sectors.

Oracle

SQLite is an open-source, serverless, reliable, and flexible, SQL database engine. It is particularly favored in the realm of embedded database solutions and small to medium-sized projects. Unlike traditional database systems that operate on a client-server model, SQLite is a serverless database engine, meaning it runs directly within the application it powers. This unique architecture makes SQLite an ideal choice for applications where simplicity, efficiency, and minimal configuration are paramount.

SQLite is an embedded database engine, which means it operates directly within the application that uses it, without requiring a separate server process. It is designed to be cross-platform, supporting multiple operating systems, and is is compatible with a wide range of programming languages, such as C, C++, Python, Java, and more. This makes it highly portable and suitable for a wide range of applications, from mobile devices to desktop software and web applications.

The key advantages of SQLite is its reliability, the lightweight nature and efficient performance. It has a small footprint, typically requiring only a few megabytes of disk space, and can operate entirely in memory if needed. It is designed to be reliable and robust, with built-in features such as atomic commit and rollback, which ensure data integrity even in the event of system crashes or power failures. Finally, the SQLite solution requires no configuration or setup, making it easy to use and deploy. It can be embedded directly into applications without the need for complex installation or configuration procedures.

SQLite Functionality

SQL Compliance: SQLite supports a substantial portion of the SQL standard, including features like transactions, triggers, views, and indexes.
File-based Storage: SQLite stores its entire database as a single cross-platform file on the host machine's file system.
ACID Compliance: SQLite fully supports ACID (Atomicity, Consistency, Isolation, Durability) transactions, ensuring data consistency and integrity in concurrent access scenarios.

SQLite is an open-source project distributed under a public domain license, which means it can be used, modified, and distributed freely, without any licensing costs or restrictions.

To summarize, SQLite is widely used in various applications, including web browsers (e.g., Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome), mobile applications (e.g., Android, iOS), embedded systems, and desktop software. Its simplicity, portability, and efficiency make it a popular choice for developers who require a lightweight and reliable database solution, especially in resource-constrained environments or applications with modest data storage needs.

Sample Customers

Facebook, Tumblr, Scholastic, MTV Networks, Wikipedia, Verizon Wireless, Sage Group, Glassfish Open Message Queue, and RightNow Technologies.

Oracle, Bloomberg, Bentley, Mozilla