Open-Source Databases · orbitinghail

sqlsync

SQLSync is an Apache 2.0 licensed Rust-based wrapper around SQLite that enables real-time collaborative editing and offline-first synchronization across users, devices, and edge environments. It provides eventual consistency, optimistic mutations, and reactive queries for web applications with structured data models.

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Source: GitHub — github.com/orbitinghail/sqlsync

2.9k

GitHub stars

Forks

Rust

Primary language

Apache-2.0

License (OSI-approved)

Key facts

Objective fields from the source. Values we can't verify are shown as “Unknown” rather than guessed.

Field	Value
Repository	orbitinghail/sqlsync
Owner	orbitinghail
Primary language	Rust
License	Apache-2.0 — OSI-approved
Stars	2.9k
Forks	41
Open issues	27
Latest release	Unknown
Last updated	2025-11-19
Source	https://github.com/orbitinghail/sqlsync

What sqlsync is

SQLSync uses rusqlite to wrap SQLite with CRDT-like synchronization primitives, exposing eventual-consistency semantics through reactive query subscriptions and optimistic read/write operations. It includes a React library, cross-tab sync via shared web workers, and targets WebAssembly deployment for edge and browser contexts.

Quickstart

Get the sqlsync source

Clone the repository and explore it locally.

terminalbash

1git clone https://github.com/orbitinghail/sqlsync.git2cd sqlsync3# follow the project's README for install & configuration

Need it deployed, integrated, or customized instead? DEV.co ships production installs.

Best use cases

Figma-like collaborative document editors

Web applications with file-oriented, structured data models benefit from per-file SQLSync instances enabling real-time local-first collaboration with presence and conflict resolution.

Edge-deployed applications with unreliable networks

SQLSync tolerates offline periods and network partitions, making it suitable for deployment on edge functions or devices with intermittent connectivity where eventual consistency is acceptable.

Optimistic mutations on distributed SQLite replicas

Applications can enable client-side optimistic writes to SQLite read replicas, with synchronization back to authoritative state, reducing latency for user interactions.

Implementation considerations

Understand eventual consistency guarantees and design conflict-resolution logic for your domain; SQLSync does not provide automatic conflict resolution.
Each SQL statement via execute() must be single-statement; batched statements silently fail (documented issue in README).
Reactive query subscriptions require designing subscription lifecycle management to avoid memory leaks in long-running applications.
Cross-tab synchronization via shared web workers is enabled by default; disable if debugging or if single-tab isolation is required.
No latest release tag; latest activity Nov 2025—verify pre-release maturity and API stability before adopting in production.

When to avoid it — and what to weigh

Strict ACID guarantees required — SQLSync trades strong consistency for offline-first and collaborative capabilities. Applications requiring strict transactional semantics or immediate global consensus should not use SQLSync.
Single-user, server-centric architecture — If your application uses traditional server-side-only databases with no offline or multi-device sync requirements, SQLSync adds unnecessary complexity.
Large or unstructured datasets — SQLSync wraps SQLite, inheriting its architectural limits. Applications needing petabyte-scale or document-oriented storage should consider alternative databases.
Production deployment without clarity on conflict resolution — Eventual consistency semantics require careful thought about how concurrent edits merge. Applications without clear conflict-resolution policies risk data loss or user confusion.

License & commercial use

Apache License 2.0 is a permissive OSI-approved license allowing commercial use, modification, and distribution with attribution and patent protection clauses.

Apache 2.0 is permissive and generally safe for commercial use, including proprietary applications. No license restrictions block commercial deployment. However, verify your legal team's comfort with Apache 2.0 patent clauses; consult if downstream licensing or patent indemnification guarantees are critical.

DEV.co evaluation signals

Editorial assessment — not user reviews. Directional, with an explicit confidence level.

Signal	Assessment
Maintenance	Active
Documentation	Adequate
License clarity	Clear
Deployment complexity	Moderate
DEV.co fit	Good
Assessment confidence	High

Security considerations

No security audit or formal threat model stated. SQLSync inherits SQLite's sandboxing and uses rusqlite bindings; browser execution limits exposure. Offline-first design means validation logic must live on the client—ensure application does not rely on server-side authorization for data integrity. Eventual consistency and optimistic writes increase complexity of access control; require careful design to prevent unintended data leakage across users.

Alternatives to consider

RxDB (JavaScript/TypeScript)

Cross-platform, open-source offline-first database with synchronization; no Rust/WASM dependency. Suitable if JavaScript stack preferred and strong eventual-consistency semantics acceptable.

Prisma + local-first sync (custom)

ORM-centric approach with manual sync layer (e.g., TinyBase, Electric SQL). Familiar to many teams but requires building synchronization and conflict resolution logic.

CockroachDB with client-side caching

Strongly consistent distributed SQL database with optional client-side read replicas. For teams requiring ACID guarantees and willing to pay operational overhead.

Software development agency

Build on sqlsync with DEV.co software developers

SQLSync is ideal if you need offline-first, multi-device synchronization with eventual consistency semantics. Assess pre-release maturity, confirm sync backend requirements, and validate conflict-resolution strategy for your use case. Start with the Todo demo and engage the Discord community.

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Related open-source tools

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sqlsync FAQ

Does SQLSync provide server infrastructure or just the client library?

SQLSync provides the client-side library and synchronization primitives. A separate backend or peer-to-peer layer is required to exchange state between clients; this is not included.

Can I use SQLSync with non-React frameworks?

SQLSync includes a React library. Other frameworks require use of the underlying JavaScript/WebAssembly API directly; no official bindings are documented.

What happens if two users edit the same row offline?

SQLSync provides eventual consistency semantics but does not dictate conflict resolution. Application logic must handle merging concurrent edits; document design assumptions clearly.

Is SQLSync production-ready?

No stable release (version 1.0) exists. Active development continues; evaluate maturity against your risk tolerance. Refer to open issues and Discord community for known limitations.

Software developers & web developers for hire

DEV.co helps companies turn open-source tools like sqlsync into production software. Our software development services cover the full lifecycle — architecture, web development, integration, and maintenance — delivered by software developers and web developers who ship. Engage our software development agency to implement or customize it for your open-source databases stack.

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