PostgreSQL vs SQLite for Solo Developers

Quick Comparison

PostgreSQL Overview

PostgreSQL is the production database that handles everything. Relational tables, JSONB documents, full-text search, array columns, window functions, CTEs, and an extension ecosystem that adds capabilities from geospatial queries to vector search. It's a database that grows with your project from MVP to millions of users.

Every production application I run uses Postgres. The combination of reliability, features, and hosting options makes it the default choice. Supabase, Neon, Railway, and Render all offer managed Postgres. The setup time is measured in minutes, not hours. And once it's running, Postgres rarely surprises you with data issues or mysterious failures.

The JSONB support means Postgres handles the "but I need flexible data" objection. Structured tables for your core models, JSONB columns for configuration, metadata, and API response caching. One database, one connection, one thing to monitor.

SQLite Overview

SQLite is the most widely deployed database in the world. It runs inside your application as a library, not as a separate server process. Your database is a single file. No daemon, no configuration, no TCP connections, no user management. Just your application and a file on disk.

The simplicity is liberating. During development, your database is a file you can copy, backup, or delete. Want to reset your dev database? Delete the file and restart. Want to share your database state with someone? Send them the file. Want to run tests with a fresh database? Each test gets its own in-memory SQLite instance. The developer experience is unmatched.

SQLite's read performance is extraordinary. For read-heavy workloads, it often outperforms PostgreSQL because there's no network overhead, no connection pooling, no TCP latency. The data is right there in the process memory. For content sites, blogs, and read-heavy applications, SQLite is genuinely faster.

Key Differences

Architecture. PostgreSQL is a client-server database. Your application connects to it over a network (or socket). SQLite is an embedded library. It runs inside your application process. This fundamental difference drives everything else.

Concurrency. PostgreSQL handles thousands of concurrent readers and writers efficiently through MVCC. SQLite allows unlimited concurrent readers but only one writer at a time. For web applications with many simultaneous write operations (user registrations, order placements, real-time updates), PostgreSQL handles the load. SQLite can bottleneck on writes.

Write-ahead logging (WAL mode). SQLite's WAL mode improves concurrent performance significantly, allowing reads during writes. It makes SQLite viable for many web applications that would otherwise need PostgreSQL. But it doesn't eliminate the single-writer limitation. High-write-throughput applications still need Postgres.

Feature set. PostgreSQL has JSONB, full-text search, materialized views, stored procedures, triggers, custom types, and extensions. SQLite supports basic SQL, JSON functions (since 3.38), and FTS5 for full-text search. Postgres is more feature-rich, but SQLite covers the needs of most small to medium applications.

The edge revolution. SQLite at the edge is a real trend in 2026. Turso, LiteFS, and Litestream let you replicate SQLite across global edge nodes. Your database lives close to your users. This is something PostgreSQL can't do without complex multi-region setups. For globally distributed read-heavy applications, SQLite at the edge is a compelling architecture.

Operational overhead. PostgreSQL needs monitoring, connection pooling, backup scripts, and occasional vacuuming. SQLite needs nothing. Literally nothing. No maintenance, no tuning, no connection pool configuration. For a solo developer who doesn't want to be a DBA, SQLite's zero operations overhead is a massive advantage.

When to Choose PostgreSQL

• Your application has high concurrent write volume
• You need advanced features like JSONB, materialized views, or extensions
• You're running multiple application servers that need shared database access
• You're using a framework that expects PostgreSQL (Django, Rails with advanced features)
• You need fine-grained access control with multiple database users

When to Choose SQLite

• You're building a prototype or side project and want zero setup
• Your application is read-heavy with moderate write volume
• You want the simplest possible deployment (single binary + single file)
• You're building an edge-deployed application with Turso or LiteFS
• You want the fastest possible developer experience (instant resets, no daemon)

The Verdict

Both deserve their 9/10 ratings, but for different reasons. PostgreSQL is the 9/10 production database. SQLite is the 9/10 simplicity database. The right choice depends on your application's needs.

For solo developers building a side project, MVP, or content-heavy application with moderate traffic, start with SQLite. The zero-configuration experience, instant backups, and no operational overhead let you focus entirely on your product. You can always migrate to PostgreSQL later if you outgrow it.

For solo developers building a production SaaS with user accounts, concurrent writes, and plans to scale, start with PostgreSQL. The migration from SQLite to Postgres is straightforward but annoying. If you know you'll need Postgres eventually, starting with it saves a future migration.

My rule of thumb: if your app could run on a single server and write volume is moderate, try SQLite first. If you need managed hosting, multi-server deployments, or heavy concurrent writes from day one, go straight to PostgreSQL. Both are excellent choices, and honestly, choosing either one puts you in a great position.