Best Free Embedded Database Systems of 2026

Ditto is a revolutionary embedded database tailored for mobile and edge computing devices, transcending conventional local storage solutions. Unlike standard embedded databases that function independently, Ditto features integrated peer-to-peer synchronization and edge-aware connectivity, allowing devices to exchange data seamlessly without the need for a central server or continuous internet availability. At the heart of Ditto lies a CRDT-based (Conflict-Free Replicated Data Type) engine, which ensures robust eventual consistency across distributed nodes, even in scenarios where devices are offline, partitioned, or primarily designed for mobile use. This capability enables developers to create highly resilient and collaborative applications, ensuring that data remains local while automatically syncing across devices as connectivity is established. Ditto simplifies the intricacies of connectivity through dynamic, channel-agnostic discovery. Devices utilizing Ditto can form spontaneous mesh networks via Bluetooth, peer-to-peer Wi-Fi, LAN, cellular, or a combination of these technologies, enabling real-time synchronization of data changes.

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.

MySQL stands out as the most widely used open source database globally. Thanks to its established track record in performance, dependability, and user-friendliness, it has emerged as the preferred database for web applications, powering notable platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, alongside the top five websites. Furthermore, MySQL is also highly favored as an embedded database solution, being distributed by numerous independent software vendors and original equipment manufacturers. Its versatility and robust features contribute to its widespread adoption across various industries.

ArcadeDB is a high-performance, open-source multi-model database that unifies graphs, documents, key-value, search engine, vectors, and time-series data in a single engine. Each model is native — no translation overhead, no external adapters. Built for developers who refuse to compromise: 10M+ records/second, constant graph traversal speed regardless of size, and 6 query languages out of the box — SQL, Cypher (native OpenCypher engine,TCK-compliant), Gremlin, GraphQL, MongoDB API, and Java. Runs embedded in your JVM, standalone, or distributed across an HA cluster using Raft Consensus. ACID-compliant, fully transactional, and extremely lightweight. Stop running five separate databases for five data models. One database. Every model. Apache 2.0 — open source forever.

Chroma is an open-source embedding database that is designed specifically for AI applications. It provides a comprehensive set of tools for working with embeddings, making it easier for developers to integrate this technology into their projects. Chroma is focused on developing a database that continually learns and evolves. You can contribute by addressing an issue, submitting a pull request, or joining our Discord community to share your feature suggestions and engage with other users. Your input is valuable as we strive to enhance Chroma's functionality and usability.

LanceDB is an accessible, open-source database specifically designed for AI development. It offers features such as hyperscalable vector search and sophisticated retrieval capabilities for Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), along with support for streaming training data and the interactive analysis of extensive AI datasets, making it an ideal foundation for AI applications. The installation process takes only seconds, and it integrates effortlessly into your current data and AI toolchain. As an embedded database—similar to SQLite or DuckDB—LanceDB supports native object storage integration, allowing it to be deployed in various environments and efficiently scale to zero when inactive. Whether for quick prototyping or large-scale production, LanceDB provides exceptional speed for search, analytics, and training involving multimodal AI data. Notably, prominent AI companies have indexed vast numbers of vectors and extensive volumes of text, images, and videos at a significantly lower cost compared to other vector databases. Beyond mere embedding, it allows for filtering, selection, and streaming of training data directly from object storage, thereby ensuring optimal GPU utilization for enhanced performance. This versatility makes LanceDB a powerful tool in the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence.

Apache Phoenix provides low-latency OLTP and operational analytics on Hadoop by merging the advantages of traditional SQL with the flexibility of NoSQL. It utilizes HBase as its underlying storage, offering full ACID transaction support alongside late-bound, schema-on-read capabilities. Fully compatible with other Hadoop ecosystem tools such as Spark, Hive, Pig, Flume, and MapReduce, it establishes itself as a reliable data platform for OLTP and operational analytics through well-defined, industry-standard APIs. When a SQL query is executed, Apache Phoenix converts it into a series of HBase scans, managing these scans to deliver standard JDBC result sets seamlessly. The framework's direct interaction with the HBase API, along with the implementation of coprocessors and custom filters, enables performance metrics that can reach milliseconds for simple queries and seconds for larger datasets containing tens of millions of rows. This efficiency positions Apache Phoenix as a formidable choice for businesses looking to enhance their data processing capabilities in a Big Data environment.

Perst is an open source, dual-licensed object-oriented embedded database management system (ODBMS) created by McObject. It comes in two versions: one designed as an all-Java embedded database and another tailored for C# applications within the Microsoft .NET Framework. This database system enables developers to efficiently store, sort, and retrieve objects, ensuring high speed while maintaining low memory and storage requirements. By utilizing the object-oriented features of both Java and C#, Perst showcases a significant performance edge in benchmarks like TestIndex and PolePosition when compared to other embedded database solutions in Java and .NET. One of its standout capabilities is its ability to store data directly in Java and .NET objects, which eliminates the need for translation typical in relational and object-relational databases, thereby enhancing run-time performance. With a compact core comprised of only five thousand lines of code, Perst demands minimal system resources, making it an attractive option for resource-constrained environments. This efficiency not only benefits developers but also contributes to the overall responsiveness of applications utilizing the database.

Firebird is a relational database that incorporates numerous features compliant with ANSI SQL standards and is compatible with Linux, Windows, and multiple Unix systems. It boasts remarkable concurrency, impressive performance, and robust support for stored procedures and triggers, making it a popular choice for various applications. Since its inception in 1981, Firebird has been utilized in production environments under different names. The Firebird Project operates independently, consisting of C and C++ developers, technical advisors, and supporters who contribute to the ongoing development of this multi-platform relational database management system, which is based on the source code released by Inprise Corp (now Borland Software Corp) on July 25, 2000. Moreover, the Firebird Project provides a wealth of documentation for users, developers, and administrators, ranging from beginner Quick Start guides to in-depth expert articles that explore numerous aspects of the Firebird system. This extensive resource ensures that anyone working with Firebird can find the information they need to optimize their experience.

Explore, create, and manage databases utilizing Valentina DB, MySQL, MariaDB, PostgreSQL, and SQLite at no cost. Generate comprehensive business reports through Valentina Studio Pro, either on Valentina Server or within an application that utilizes an Application Developer Kit. Engage in backward engineering with standard practices while also employing forward engineering techniques in Valentina Studio Pro. Conduct reverse engineering to produce diagrams for pre-existing databases, and easily integrate new elements into these diagrams. Write SQL queries with features such as auto-completion and syntax highlighting, while also defining and managing favorite queries and accessing recent ones seamlessly. Benefit from a function browser that provides a dictionary for each SQL function as well as consoles that report errors, warnings, and performance metrics. Efficiently search and export result records in various formats including CSV, JSON, and Excel, while simultaneously editing the properties of multiple database objects. Delve deep into tables and fields with remarkable speed, and manage the addition or removal of users and groups, along with their associated privileges. This multifaceted approach ensures that users can handle database management with efficiency and effectiveness.

InterSystems Cache®, a high-performance database, powers transaction processing applications all over the globe. It's used for everything, from mapping a million stars in the Milky Way to processing a trillion equity trades per day to managing smart energy grids. InterSystems has developed Cache, a multi-model (object-relational, key-value), DBMS and application server. InterSystems Cache offers multiple APIs that allow you to work with the same data simultaneously: key/value, relational/object, document, multidimensional, object, object, and object. Data can be managed using SQL, Java, node.js.NET, C++ and Python. Cache also offers an application server that hosts web apps (CSP, REST, SOAP and other types TCP access for Cache data).

Berkeley DB encompasses a suite of embedded key-value database libraries that deliver scalable and high-performance data management functionalities for various applications. Its products utilize straightforward function-call APIs for accessing and managing data efficiently. With Berkeley DB, developers can create tailored data management solutions that bypass the typical complexities linked with custom projects. The library offers a range of reliable building-block technologies that can be adapted to meet diverse application requirements, whether for handheld devices or extensive data centers, catering to both local storage needs and global distribution, handling data volumes that range from kilobytes to petabytes. This versatility makes Berkeley DB a preferred choice for developers looking to implement efficient data solutions.

IBM Informix® is a highly adaptable and efficient database that can effortlessly combine SQL, NoSQL/JSON, as well as time series and spatial data. Its flexibility and user-friendly design position Informix as a top choice for diverse settings, ranging from large-scale enterprise data warehouses to smaller individual application development projects. Moreover, due to its compact footprint and self-managing features, Informix is particularly advantageous for embedded data management applications. The rising demand for IoT data processing necessitates strong integration and processing capabilities, which Informix fulfills with its hybrid database architecture that requires minimal administrative effort and has a small memory footprint while delivering robust functionality. Notably, Informix is well-equipped for multi-tiered architectures that necessitate processing at various levels, including devices, gateway layers, and cloud environments. Furthermore, it incorporates native encryption to safeguard data both at rest and in transit. Additionally, Informix supports a flexible schema alongside multiple APIs and configurations, making it a versatile choice for modern data management challenges.

Transform your embeddings effortlessly with a single, powerful tool. Discover an extensive database crafted to deliver embedding capabilities that previously necessitated several different platforms, making it easier than ever to enhance your machine learning endeavors swiftly and seamlessly with Embeddinghub. Embeddings serve as compact, numerical representations of various real-world entities and their interrelations, represented as vectors. Typically, they are generated by first establishing a supervised machine learning task, often referred to as a "surrogate problem." The primary goal of embeddings is to encapsulate the underlying semantics of their originating inputs, allowing them to be shared and repurposed for enhanced learning across multiple machine learning models. With Embeddinghub, achieving this process becomes not only streamlined but also incredibly user-friendly, ensuring that users can focus on their core functions without unnecessary complexity.

SAP HANA is an in-memory database designed to handle both transactional and analytical workloads using a single copy of data, regardless of type. It effectively dissolves the barriers between transactional and analytical processes within organizations, facilitating rapid decision-making whether deployed on-premises or in the cloud. This innovative database management system empowers users to create intelligent, real-time solutions, enabling swift decision-making from a unified data source. By incorporating advanced analytics, it enhances the capabilities of next-generation transaction processing. Organizations can build data solutions that capitalize on cloud-native attributes such as scalability, speed, and performance. With SAP HANA Cloud, businesses can access reliable, actionable information from one cohesive platform while ensuring robust security, privacy, and data anonymization, reflecting proven enterprise standards. In today's fast-paced environment, an intelligent enterprise relies on timely insights derived from data, emphasizing the need for real-time delivery of such valuable information. As the demand for immediate access to insights grows, leveraging an efficient database like SAP HANA becomes increasingly critical for organizations aiming to stay competitive.

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.

Neo4j's graph platform is designed to help you leverage data and data relationships. Developers can create intelligent applications that use Neo4j to traverse today's interconnected, large datasets in real-time. Neo4j's graph database is powered by a native graph storage engine and processing engine. It provides unique, actionable insights through an intuitive, flexible, and secure database.

It is a highly scalable, embedded SQL database that can be accessed from anywhere. It also includes commercial-grade data security, disaster recovery, change synchronization, and data security.