The Best SQLite Hosting: Who’s Right For Your Site? [Updated: 2021]

Compare SQLite Hosting

What You’ll Learn

If you’ve already checked out our MySQL hosting comparison piece, you will be familiar with what’s about to come. On this page, you’ll learn about why SQLite is worth using, how it’s best to use it, and where it’s best to make use of it.

Furthermore, you’ll be offered a list of healthy alternatives, since not everyone has the same needs.

An Introduction to SQLite

When a website needs to store large chunks of data that can be arranged into a table or graph, most developers turn to databases. It’s a simple concept, as old as programming itself. The SQL interface and management programs allow you to create, access, and manage this data.

What is SQLite and How Are Databases Used?

Databases have many uses, from organizing user accounts to keeping track of sales data, and many websites contain them. However, MySQL and related programs can be confusing, difficult to set up, and too complex for a start-up project.

SQL is the Structured Query Language, a programming language that is used to communicate with a relational database system. It is not the only language for doing so, but it (by far) the most popular.

SQL Helps Manage Data

It is comprised of a data definition language that specifies the overall structure of data to be stored, and a data manipulation language that can be used to add, edit, or retrieve data.

SQL is implemented by a number of popular database systems, such as MySQL, MariaDB, and PostgreSQL. It does not specify a way to build a database, only how to interact with it. Each database system’s developers choose how to implement the SQL standard.

What is SQLite?

Should you run into issues, consider using SQLite instead. It’s faster, more versatile, and can be easier to work with. In addition to being relatively simple to install, many apps like sudo apt-get for Ubuntu and NuGet for Windows can handle the packages for you. It’s like a mini-MySQL without a headache.

Lightweight, Relational Database

SQLite is a lightweight relational database system based on the SQL standard. It is used primarily for local and embedded storage, and also early development and prototyping. A handful of advanced features are not included, but it is otherwise a fully-functioning database system.

Open Source

SQLite is open source software, and the code is in the public domain. By some estimates, it is the most widely deployed database system in the world. Even though the software is open source and can be used as many times as needed with a single license, it is not open contribution.

What is a Relational Database System?

A relational database system is a data storage program that stores information in a series of interrelated tables. These systems are widely popular, although they are being replaced by hierarchical databases and network databases in many use cases.

Are There Other Types of Database Systems?

While there are other non-relational forms of databases (such as so-called “NoSQL” systems like MongoDB), relational database management systems (RDBMS) have become the most commonly used. Generally, the most popular systems used of 2018 are:

• Oracle
• MySQL
• MS SQL Server
• PostgreSQL
• SQLite
• IBM DB2

You have a ton of viable options to choose from as a user. Having a reliable RDBMS is absolutely key, seeing as important, often sensitive data is involved.

How is SQLite Different from Other RDBMS Programs?

Most database systems run in a client-server configuration. The database system and its data are separate from the program using it for data storage. The client sends SQL queries to the RDBMS server, and the server returns the data (after carrying out any commands to add, edit, or delete something).

What Are The Advantages of SQLite?

There are a number of advantages to this client-server model of database management. For example, multiple applications can read and write to the same database.

However, there are disadvantages as well. Setup can be complicated. Coordinating communication between the application and the database server can be difficult. The overall memory and storage footprint of the database system is fairly high.

How SQLite Stands Out

SQLite is different in that it is not a separate application. Rather than running a database server that an application has to call as a client, SQLite is a programming library that can be included in an application. Database queries are then run as internal function calls, rather than server requests, and the data storage itself is a single file that sits in normal file storage.

This approach makes SQLite fast and portable, with an obvious trade-off in features and power. For these reasons, it is often used for applications like embedded storage and rapid prototyping.

SQLite Features

SQLite is a feature-rich, lightweight, and portable RDBMS. While there are some things missing from this small-scale SQL framework, it comes with a few nifty features other databases don’t support.

• ACID-compliant
• Single file data storage
• Support for large data
• Small code base
• Fully supported on most OS
• Fully self-contained
• Public domain

ACID

Transactions on SQLite are atomic, consistent, isolated, and durable. This helps guarantee validity of database transactions. Even if the transaction is interrupted by a crash, or there’s a system failure, the system will do well to persevere.

Single File Storage Data

Single file storage data means that the system stores one file that multiple users may access. This helps to eliminate data duplication and also increases worker efficiency. Data duplication can cause tedious tasks to clean up a database, dreaded by us all.

Supports Large Data

Trying to store massive amounts of information? SQLite has you covered with support for databases up to a terabyte in size. Many websites and businesses have extensive data, whether it’s resources or simply essentials.

Having the ability to store copious amounts of data is an upside, eliminating worry and extra costs.

Small Code Base

The includable library is less the 500 KB. The small code base makes it easier to learn and for newbies to use.

Fully Supported on Most OS

No matter what operating system you use, SQLite will likely work. The system is fully supported on Windows, Linux, Mac OS X, Android, and iOS. This is a massive upside, eliminating a huge number of compatibility issues.

Fully Self-Contained

SQLite is a self-contained system and has no dependencies and no external database. This makes it easy to download and simple to use the system on nearly any operating system. In fact, the source code is contained in just a single source code.

Public Domain

This means no licensing is needed at all to use it for any purpose. According to their website: “Anyone is free to copy, modify, publish, use, compile, sell, or distribute the original SQLite code, either in source code form or as a compiled binary, for any purpose, commercial or non-commercial, and by any means.”

Features Not Included in SQLite

It’s important to realize that SQLite is not a fully compliant implementation of the SQL standard and that not all features are included.

Most of these are either unnecessary for the typical SQLite user, too complex, or simply haven’t been implemented yet.

SQL Actions Not Supported

Here are some commands which are not supported by SQLite:

• RIGHT OUTER JOIN and FULL OUTER JOIN
• DROP COLUMN, ALTER COLUMN, ADD CONSTRAINT, and most other ALTER TABLE commands
• FOR EACH STATEMENT triggers
• Write to VIEW (they are read-only, though this can be hacked with triggers)
• GRANT and REVOKE, because permission is meaningless (there is no client)

Common Uses of SQLite

Being such a versatile yet easy-to-use program, SQLite is used in a ton of situations. While its predecessors MySQL and PostgreSQL may be more powerful, SQLite holds up and is often the better choice for certain developers.

5 Reasons Developers Often Choose SQLite:

Here are some of the main factors developers take into account when taking the leap with SQLite:

1. Application data storage, instead of writing to things like XML, JSON, and CSV
2. Internal storage of devices and gadgets
3. Content storage for small websites
4. Rapid prototyping
5. Data analysis with SQLite3 command-line shell
6. Server-side data storage

While these upsides may seem minor, they certainly eliminate a ton of small, annoying issues for technologists and database experts.

SQLite vs. MySQL/PostgreSQL

If you’re still not sure whether SQLite is the right choice for you, take a look at this quick table that compares the three’s basic features. There are, of course, more differences in function and technology than those listed below, but this should point you in the right direction.

SQLite Pros and Cons

Still conflicted on whether to pick SQLite or a client-server database engine? This list should help you decide if it is right for your needs.

SQLite Pros

• Works great on most small to medium-sized websites
• Straightforward, painless installation
• Server-less, unlike client-server processes
• Faster and lighter than client-server directories
• No administration or configuration required
• Great for single-person projects

SQLite Cons

• Limited scalability
• Not suitable for high-traffic websites
• One writer per file; limited concurrent writer support
• Missing some advanced features
• Not great for large, quickly-growing projects

Hosting Options for SQLite

SQLite is not an application to be hosted, but is instead a programming library that is included by or compiled into another application.

That said, finding the right host is still important. Not all of them support SQLite, and some (especially shared hosting) do not allow you to install your own files or tinker with the server at all.

Assess Your Overall Hosting Needs

SQLite is a very popular RDBMS, so simply supporting it isn’t enough to make a host stand out. Look for one that best suits the needs of your website first and foremost. E-commerce hosts for shops, image hosting for media-heavy websites, and so on.

From there, do your research to see if they have what you need. You can ask directly if there’s SQLite support, or try and find documentation on your own.

Choose a Host for SQLite

Stuck? Here are a few host suggestions to get you started on your research. These sites are versatile and made to suit a large audience, but there are many niche hosts out there if these aren’t your cup of tea.

A2 Hosting

With its developer-friendly attitude, A2 Hosting gets a big thumbs up. Its plans are cheap, it offers unlimited resources from shared to dedicated servers, and, most importantly, SQLite is pre-installed on all servers! If it’s not up-to-date, it’ll even help you get the newest version up and running.

Dev tools include SSH access, support for software like PHP, and programming languages like Python. Overall, A2 Hosting is a great host for developers new and old.

SiteGround

Last but not least comes SiteGround, a balanced choice with decent prices, resources, and developer-friendliness. While it may not have A2’s expansive devkit, SiteGround is just an overall great option.

SQLite seems to be a bit more complicated to set up, but full support is there. This service has many features geared towards newbies, so those still honing their programming skills may be more comfortable here – but experienced devs will enjoy tools like staging sites or unlimited databases.

Final Roundup: Will SQLite Meet Your Needs?

The majority of sites will integrate well with SQLite. While large projects and ones that grow quickly will need the scalability and power an RDBMS like MySQL provides, most websites will do just fine on the compact, efficient SQLite.

Unless you’re planning on using shared hosting, finding a host that supports it shouldn’t be too difficult. At the very least, you should be able to locate one that lets you install your own applications.

Other features in SQL

• MySQL
• PostgreSQL
• MS Access
• MSSQL
• MariaDB

About Brenda Barron

Brenda is an active online publisher and experienced WordPress blogger. She has been building websites since 1997. In addition, she publishes science fiction and fantasy stories under the name Brenda Stokes Barron.

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