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Web Development · head to head

MySQL vs SQLite

MySQL logo

MySQL

Web Development

The world's most popular open source database

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
SQLite logo

SQLite

Databases

Small, fast, self-contained SQL database engine

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: MySQL hot online backup is not in the free Community Server; MySQL Enterprise Backup is a paid Enterprise Edition component; SQLite supports only serialized write operations; only one process can modify the database at any moment, limiting concurrent users
  • They diverge on capability: MySQL covers ACID compliance, SQLite covers Serverless Operation.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which MySQL and SQLite actually diverge.

Attributes where MySQL and SQLite differ
AttributeMySQLSQLite
Pricing modelfreemiumopen-source
PlatformsWindows, Macos, Linux, UnixLinux, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android
CategoryWeb DevelopmentDatabases
Founded19952000

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in MySQL

  • ACID compliance
  • SQL support
  • Multi-version concurrency control
  • Replication
  • Partitioning
  • Stored procedures
  • Triggers
  • Views

Only in SQLite

  • Serverless Operation
  • Zero Configuration
  • Single File Database
  • Cross-platform
  • Full SQL Support
  • ACID Compliance
  • Self-contained
  • Browser Storage

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

MySQL

  • Web application backendnot SQLite
  • E-commerce platformsnot SQLite
  • Content management systemsnot SQLite
  • Data warehousingnot SQLite
  • Business applicationsnot SQLite

SQLite

  • Transaction processingnot MySQL
  • Data storagenot MySQL
  • Application backendnot MySQL
  • Reportingnot MySQL
  • Data analyticsnot MySQL

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

MySQL

  • Hot online backup is not in the free Community Server; MySQL Enterprise Backup is a paid Enterprise Edition component
  • Transparent Data Encryption, data masking and de-identification are Enterprise Edition only
  • MySQL Enterprise Firewall, which guards against SQL injection, and MySQL Enterprise Audit are both paid components
  • External authentication against PAM or Windows Active Directory requires MySQL Enterprise Authentication
  • The thread pool ships as MySQL Enterprise Scalability rather than in the community build

SQLite

  • Supports only serialized write operations; only one process can modify the database at any moment, limiting concurrent users
  • No multi-user support or granular access control; relies on file system permissions for security only
  • Limited ALTER TABLE functionality cannot edit or modify columns in existing tables

Pricing, plan by plan

MySQL

Free
  • Community EditionFree
    • Open source license
    • Full SQL support
    • InnoDB storage engine
  • Standard Edition$2000/year
    • Commercial license
    • Oracle Premier Support
    • MySQL Enterprise backup
  • Enterprise Edition$5000/year
    • Advanced security
    • MySQL Enterprise Monitor
    • High Availability

SQLite

Free
  • Public DomainFree
    • Serverless
    • Zero-configuration
    • Cross-platform

Which should you pick?

Choose MySQL if

  • You need acid compliance.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Unix.
  • You also want sql support.
MySQL review

Choose SQLite if

  • You need serverless operation.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android.
  • You also want zero configuration.
SQLite review

Questions people ask

Is MySQL or SQLite better?
Neither clearly leads. MySQL starts at Free and SQLite at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, MySQL or SQLite?
MySQL starts at Free and SQLite at Free.
Does MySQL or SQLite run on more platforms?
MySQL runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Unix. SQLite runs on Linux, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android.
Can I use MySQL for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is MySQL best used for?
MySQL is most often used for web application backend, e-commerce platforms, content management systems, data warehousing. Of those, web application backend and e-commerce platforms are not what SQLite is typically brought in for.
What can MySQL do that SQLite cannot?
MySQL covers ACID compliance, SQL support, Multi-version concurrency control, Replication. SQLite covers Serverless Operation, Zero Configuration, Single File Database, Cross-platform.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

MySQL: Does MySQL cost money?

MySQL is primarily open-source and free to use. Commercial editions and support services are available but pricing is not published on the main website.

Source
SQLite: Is SQLite free and open source?

Yes, SQLite is open source and in the public domain. The complete source code and binaries are free to download and use for any purpose without restrictions.

Source
MySQL: How do I get MySQL pricing information?

For MySQL commercial editions and support pricing, customers can contact MySQL sales directly at +1-866-221-0634 or navigate to individual product pages.

Source
SQLite: How does SQLite work and what is its design?

SQLite is a self-contained, serverless SQL database engine that reads and writes directly to disk files. It requires no separate server process and runs within your application, making it ideal for embedded systems and local storage.

Source
SQLite: What are SQLite's limitations for scaling?

SQLite does not support true multi-user concurrency. Only one process can write to the database at a time, and it lacks user management and access control features. It is designed for small to medium projects, not enterprise applications with many concurrent users.

Source
SQLite: Can I use SQLite for production web applications?

SQLite can work for single-server web applications with modest concurrency needs. However, it lacks features like user management, granular security, and sophisticated query optimization needed for large-scale applications.

Source
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