SQLite is the on-device database mobile apps use to work offline and sync when back online. It lives inside the app on the phone or tablet itself: there is no server involved, and data is stored in a single file on the device and read instantly.

For a business owner, SQLite is what lets your mobile app keep working when the network does not. Field staff can record visits in a basement, sales teams can take orders in areas with poor coverage, and everything syncs to the server once they are back online.

What we build with it

  • Offline-first field service and sales apps
  • Attendance and site visit apps that record data without a signal
  • Stock-count and inventory apps for warehouses
  • Local copies of catalogues and price lists for faster browsing
  • Draft forms and inspection checklists saved as the user works
  • Desktop and embedded tools that need a simple local data store

Why we choose it

  • Works without a network. Data is read and written on the device, so the app stays usable anywhere.
  • Fast. Local queries return instantly, which makes lists and searches feel immediate.
  • Nothing to host. There is no database server to pay for or maintain on the device side.
  • Safe storage. SQLite is transactional, so a crash or flat battery does not leave data half-written.

When something else fits better

SQLite is not a server database. It does not replace the central database where all your users' data comes together; that remains MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQL Server or similar behind an API. If your app is always used online and only shows live data, full offline storage adds complexity for little benefit, and a simple cache is enough.

How we work with it

  • We use SQLite through well-maintained Flutter packages with typed queries, rather than hand-built SQL strings.
  • Every local table records what has changed, so sync sends only new work and handles conflicts deliberately.
  • Schema changes are versioned in the app, so an update never wipes a user's unsent data.
  • We test offline scenarios directly: airplane mode, a connection dropped mid-sync, and a nearly full device.
  • Sensitive local data is encrypted where the use case calls for it.