objectbox-dart
ObjectBox is a fast, embedded NoSQL database for Flutter and Dart apps that stores objects directly without SQL. It includes vector search capabilities for AI applications and optional data synchronization for offline-first scenarios.
Key facts
Objective fields from the source. Values we can't verify are shown as “Unknown” rather than guessed.
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Repository | objectbox/objectbox-dart |
| Owner | objectbox |
| Primary language | Dart |
| License | Apache-2.0 — OSI-approved |
| Stars | 1.2k |
| Forks | 160 |
| Open issues | 76 |
| Latest release | v5.3.2 (2026-05-20) |
| Last updated | 2026-06-29 |
| Source | https://github.com/objectbox/objectbox-dart |
What objectbox-dart is
ObjectBox is a cross-platform ACID-compliant object database with native Dart bindings, compile-time code generation, built-in relations/queries, and on-device vector indexing. It wraps native C++ storage libraries and provides pub.dev packages for Android, iOS, macOS, Linux, and Windows.
Get the objectbox-dart source
Clone the repository and explore it locally.
git clone https://github.com/objectbox/objectbox-dart.gitcd objectbox-dart# follow the project's README for install & configurationNeed it deployed, integrated, or customized instead? DEV.co ships production installs.
Best use cases
Implementation considerations
- Code generation is mandatory: entity classes must be annotated and code generation run before compilation; CI/CD pipeline must support this step.
- Platform-specific native libraries are bundled via objectbox_flutter_libs or objectbox_sync_flutter_libs; vector support availability and native library licensing require verification.
- Data model changes are handled via schema migration; test migration paths when altering @Entity definitions to avoid data loss in production.
- Vector search (ANN) is built-in but performance benchmarks vs. alternatives and vector dimension limits are not documented in README or provided data.
- ObjectBox Sync for offline-first is a separate product offering; licensing and integration cost must be evaluated independently.
When to avoid it — and what to weigh
- Need SQL compliance or complex joins across many tables — ObjectBox is NoSQL and optimized for object graphs, not relational algebra or complex multi-table queries.
- Cross-platform backend required with existing RDBMS infrastructure — ObjectBox is designed for embedded/mobile use; syncing to traditional databases requires custom integration via ObjectBox Sync, which is a separate product.
- Require mature, battle-tested vector databases with benchmarks — Vector support is marketed as new; production vector workload performance vs. specialized vector DBs (Pinecone, Weaviate) is not documented in provided data.
- Team unfamiliar with Dart or preferring established SQLite wrappers — ObjectBox requires Dart/Flutter and code generation setup; teams may prefer mature alternatives like sqflite or Realm if already invested elsewhere.
License & commercial use
Licensed under Apache License 2.0 (Apache-2.0), an OSI-approved permissive license allowing commercial use, modification, and distribution with attribution and liability disclaimer.
Apache 2.0 permits commercial use in closed-source applications. However, README notes separate ObjectBox Sync and multiplatform SDKs (Java, Swift, Go, C++) have distinct licenses; review https://objectbox.io/faq/#license-pricing for all components before production deployment. Commercial support and Sync licensing terms are not stated in provided data.
DEV.co evaluation signals
Editorial assessment — not user reviews. Directional, with an explicit confidence level.
| Signal | Assessment |
|---|---|
| Maintenance | Active |
| Documentation | Adequate |
| License clarity | Needs review |
| Deployment complexity | Low |
| DEV.co fit | Strong |
| Assessment confidence | High |
No security audit, vulnerability disclosure process, or encryption-at-rest details provided in README or data. Native library provenance (C++ core) and supply-chain security for prebuilt binaries require independent review. Dart FFI and platform-specific native bridges introduce native code attack surface. Local data is stored unencrypted by default; encryption support not mentioned.
Alternatives to consider
Hive
Lightweight, pure-Dart key-value store; no native dependencies or code generation required. Simpler onboarding but lower performance on large datasets and no built-in relations or vector search.
sqflite
SQLite wrapper for Flutter; mature, familiar SQL semantics, and minimal overhead. Suitable if SQL queries and relational data are preferred; no vector support or ACID-beyond-transaction guarantees.
Realm (Dart/Flutter SDK)
Cross-platform object database with similar feature set (relations, queries, sync). Consider if multi-platform backend (server, web) and existing Realm investment are factors; Realm Sync differs from ObjectBox Sync.
Build on objectbox-dart with DEV.co software developers
Start with the Getting Started guide, run the benchmark app to test performance, and review licensing terms at objectbox.io before committing to production. Contact ObjectBox for Sync and commercial support details.
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objectbox-dart FAQ
Is ObjectBox production-ready?
Can I sync data to a backend server?
What are the licensing implications of the C++ native library?
How do I encrypt data at rest?
Software development & web development with DEV.co
Need help beyond evaluating objectbox-dart? DEV.co is a software development agency offering software development services and web development for teams of every size. Our software developers and web developers build custom software, web applications, APIs, and open-source databases integrations — and maintain them long-term.
Ready to evaluate ObjectBox for your Flutter app?
Start with the Getting Started guide, run the benchmark app to test performance, and review licensing terms at objectbox.io before committing to production. Contact ObjectBox for Sync and commercial support details.