Firebird SQL vs SQLite comparison

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Executive Summary

We performed a comparison between Firebird SQL and SQLite based on real PeerSpot user reviews.

Find out what your peers are saying about SAP, Oracle, Progress Software and others in Embedded Database.
To learn more, read our detailed Embedded Database Report (Updated: March 2024).
765,386 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Featured Review
Quotes From Members
We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use.
Here are some excerpts of what they said:
Pros
"The most valuable feature of Firebird SQL is the creation of databases.""I appreciate the fact that, once the database is embedded, it doesn't need to be administered, and removes the requirement for a specific server.""I find the ease of deployment to be the most valuable aspect of this solution.""I like that we don't have to pay external fees to migrate this data. So, we are looking to relocate from Postgres or EDB.""The most valuable feature of the solution is that it is reliable, offers good performance, and is easy to use.""Firebird SQL is an open-source solution.""The documentation is very well written.""I can deploy it on Linux, Mac OS, and Windows — it's very easy."

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"The product is lightweight and highly scalable.""SQLite’s most valuable feature is the ability to store granular-level backups of databases.""I use Flutter Technology with the JSF plugin."

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Cons
"Technical support and performance could be better. We have some problems with this solution, but we don't know if the problem is with the database or the configuration. For example, sometimes, the users can't access the database.""It is not easy to integrate the tool with Visual Studio.""This solution isn't very user-friendly, or intuitive, which could be improved when it is developed.""The solution could improve by providing partitioning and encryption. It is not at the higher level of database solution but it could be with some upgrades.""I don't think the solution is very scalable, because the scalability of the performance when using more than one process is not very good.""The main feature I expect is to be able to work with different databases at the same time because that's a wishlist item for me.""In the next release, it should support JSON, XML, and replication with third-party tools.""The security of the users could improve in Firebird SQL."

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"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.""The performance could be better."

More SQLite Cons →

Pricing and Cost Advice
  • "It is a public domain system as every customer can install it on their system without paying any license fee."
  • "It is okay."
  • "There is a yearly maintenance fee for the use of the solution."
  • "There is no licensing cost for this solution, as it is open-source."
  • "I was using the free version of Firebird SQL."
  • "The most valuable feature of the solution is that it is freely available."
  • "We are using the free solution, so there is no cost involved."
  • "Firebird SQL is an open-source solution, which means it is a free product."
  • More Firebird SQL Pricing and Cost Advice →

  • "I rate the product’s pricing a six out of ten."
  • "The tool is open-source."
  • More SQLite Pricing and Cost Advice →

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    Questions from the Community
    Top Answer:PostgreSQL was designed in a way that provides you with not only a high degree of flexibility but also offers you a cheap and easy-to-use solution. It gives you the ability to redesign and audit your… more »
    Top Answer:Robustness is the absolutely main feature.
    Top Answer:SQLite’s most valuable feature is the ability to store granular-level backups of databases.
    Top Answer:I rate the product’s pricing a six out of ten.
    Top Answer:The product’s price requires optimization. It could have a user-friendly GUI and better intelligence features. It should be integrated with HADR solutions as well.
    Ranking
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    In Embedded Database
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    In Embedded Database
    Comparisons
    MariaDB logo
    Compared 17% of the time.
    PostgreSQL logo
    Compared 17% of the time.
    MySQL logo
    Compared 12% of the time.
    Oracle Berkeley DB logo
    Compared 8% of the time.
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    Firebird
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    SQLite
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    Overview

    Firebird SQL is an open-source, cross-platform relational database management system that offers an enterprise-level database solution. The solution is designed to be highly secure, efficient, and compatible with various platforms and programming languages. Firebird can operate in both embedded and server modes.

    Firebird is an open-source project with an active community of developers and users. It is released under the Initial Developer's Public License (IDPL) and the InterBase Public License, allowing for free use, modification, and distribution. 

    The Firebird solution requires minimal configuration and its architecture allows it to efficiently handle databases ranging from a few KB to multiple terabytes. It is available for various operating systems, including Windows, Linux, macOS, and several Unix-like platforms.

    What are the key features of Firebird SQL?

    1. ACID Compliance: Firebird provides full support for ACID (Atomicity, Consistency, Isolation, Durability) transactions, ensuring data integrity and consistency, even in the event of system failures or concurrent access.
    2. SQL Language Support: Firebird SQL provides extensive support for ANSI SQL, which is the standard SQL language, making it compatible with a wide range of applications and tools.
    3. Multi-Generational Architecture: Firebird employs a multi-generational architecture, which allows multiple versions of the same data to coexist within the database.
    4. Concurrency and Performance: Firebird offers efficient concurrency control mechanisms, including multi-version concurrency control (MVCC), which allows multiple transactions to access and modify data simultaneously without locking or blocking each other, improving overall performance.
    5. Embedded mode: In the embedded mode, the database engine is integrated directly into the application.
    6. Security Features: Firebird provides user authentication, role-based access control, and encryption capabilities. It supports various authentication methods, such as native Firebird user accounts, external authentication sources (e.g., Windows domains), and single sign-on (SSO) mechanisms.
    7. Backup and Restore: Firebird offers built-in backup and restore utilities, allowing users to create full or incremental backups of the database, as well as restore from these backups when needed.

    As part of being a commonly used open-sourced solution, Firebird boasts a vibrant community of developers and users. The community provides extensive documentation, third-party tools, and active forums for support. Businesses can also opt for professional support services offered by third-party vendors for added assurance.

    To summarize, Firebird SQL is a robust, scalable, and cost-effective database solution suitable for a wide range of applications and business sizes. Its comprehensive SQL support, security features, and cross-platform compatibility, combined with the active community support, make it a compelling choice for businesses looking to leverage the power of open-source software without compromising on performance or security.

      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
        Elekt Labs, Streamsoft, wobe-systems GmbH, DRB Systems, Moscow City Hospital #31
        Oracle, Bloomberg, Bentley, Mozilla
        Top Industries
        VISITORS READING REVIEWS
        Comms Service Provider15%
        Computer Software Company14%
        Educational Organization8%
        Manufacturing Company7%
        VISITORS READING REVIEWS
        Computer Software Company19%
        Comms Service Provider17%
        Manufacturing Company8%
        University7%
        Company Size
        REVIEWERS
        Small Business85%
        Midsize Enterprise15%
        VISITORS READING REVIEWS
        Small Business31%
        Midsize Enterprise16%
        Large Enterprise53%
        VISITORS READING REVIEWS
        Small Business28%
        Midsize Enterprise16%
        Large Enterprise57%
        Buyer's Guide
        Embedded Database
        March 2024
        Find out what your peers are saying about SAP, Oracle, Progress Software and others in Embedded Database. Updated: March 2024.
        765,386 professionals have used our research since 2012.

        Firebird SQL doesn't meet the minimum requirements to be ranked in Embedded Database with 14 reviews while SQLite doesn't meet the minimum requirements to be ranked in Embedded Database with 5 reviews. Firebird SQL is rated 7.8, while SQLite is rated 7.6. The top reviewer of Firebird SQL writes "A stable and freely available tool with well-written documents". On the other hand, the top reviewer of SQLite writes "Helps to access data directly from my local storage or databases". Firebird SQL is most compared with MySQL, PostgreSQL, MariaDB and Oracle MySQL Cloud Service, whereas SQLite is most compared with MariaDB, PostgreSQL, MySQL and Oracle Berkeley DB.

        See our list of best Embedded Database vendors and best Open Source Databases vendors.

        We monitor all Embedded Database reviews to prevent fraudulent reviews and keep review quality high. We do not post reviews by company employees or direct competitors. We validate each review for authenticity via cross-reference with LinkedIn, and personal follow-up with the reviewer when necessary.