Local Database in React Native App

React Native Local Database

In this post, we will see how to work with Local Database in React Native App.  As a Mobile Application developer, we always search for a Local Database. A database that offers offline synchronization, reliable performance, security, and better integration with other stacks.

While searching for the Local Database in React Native App you will find the following databases. These are used by the majority of developers:

Realm Database

Realm is a mobile database and a replacement for SQLite. Although is an OO database it has some differences with other databases.

Realm is not using SQLite as its engine. Instead, it has own C++ core and aims to provide a mobile-first alternative to SQLite. Faster than SQLite database (up to 10x speedup over raw SQLite for normal operations). Convenient for creating and storing data on the fly. The realm has lots of modern features, such as JSON support, a fluent API, data change notifications and encryption support.

Firebase Database

Store and sync data with our NoSQL cloud database. Data is synced across all clients in realtime and remains available when your app goes offline.

The Firebase Realtime Database is a cloud-hosted database. Data is stored as JSON and synchronized in real-time to every connected client. When you build cross-platform apps with our iOS, Android, and JavaScript SDKs, all of your clients share one Realtime Database instance and automatically receive updates with the newest data.

SQLite Database

SQLite is an open-source SQL database that stores data to a text file on a device.  It supports all the relational database features. In order to access this database, we don’t need to establish any kind of connections for it like JDBC, ODBC. We only have to define the SQL statements for creating and updating the database. Access to it involves accessing the file system. This can be slow. Therefore, it is recommended to perform database operations asynchronously.

PouchDB Database

PouchDB is an open-source JavaScript database inspired by Apache CouchDB which is designed to run well within the browser.

But the question is which is the most suitable database for React Native App?

Giving the answer to this question and specifying a name will be the partiality with others as all fit well in certain situations.

If you want to use the Local Database in you React Native app then you should know the different factors about them so that you can decide which database is best suitable for your application.

Important Factors while selecting a Local database for your app

• Offline-first.
• Database security.
• Read/Write Speed.
• Industry regulations.
• Supported data types.
• Pricing.
• Real-time sync.

Conclusion

As we said Database selection always depends upon the app you are making as if you are developing a chat app, then you can use a firebase database as firebase is an online database to store and retrieve information.

On the other hand, you can use the Realm or SQLite Database for the complete offline solution.

The Realm database is a good choice if you need a really fast and easy to use solution for storing and processing data in a mobile application but if you have a hands-on practice over SQLite you can also use it and it is opensource too other then that Realm and Firebase are commercial.

So it’s up to you which type of application you are making and which database you want to use. We will suggest to work with a different type of databases over time and try to figure out the pros and cons.

If you are still confused with which database to use. Please comment below or contact us here, we will try to figure out the best database for your App.

Hope you liked it 🙂