Top ObjectBox Alternatives for Your Next Mobile Database Project

ObjectBox DB is known as an easy and fast object-oriented mobile database, particularly popular for Android and Linux development, with iOS support on the horizon. It boasts impressive speed, often cited as 10 times faster than SQLite, and simplifies data handling by treating POJOs (Plain Old Java Objects) as, well, POJOs. However, like any software, ObjectBox might not fit every project's specific requirements or preferences. Whether you're looking for different licensing, broader platform support, or a unique feature set, exploring an ObjectBox alternative is a smart move.

Top ObjectBox Alternatives

If ObjectBox doesn't quite meet your needs, a variety of powerful database solutions offer compelling features and performance. Here are some of the best alternatives worth considering for your next mobile or embedded database project.

SQLite

SQLite is a widely deployed, open-source SQL database engine known for being self-contained, serverless, and zero-configuration. It's an excellent ObjectBox alternative if you need a relational database that is highly embeddable and cross-platform, supporting Free, Open Source, Mac, Windows, Linux, Android, and iPhone. Its lightweight nature and in-memory database capabilities make it a versatile choice for a vast range of applications, offering features like web-database functionality and the ability to import from SQL Server.

Realm

Realm stands out as a strong ObjectBox alternative, especially for teams needing advanced features like two-way data sync and real-time collaboration. This open-source database focuses on enabling rapid development for difficult-to-build features. It supports Free, Open Source, Mac, Android, iPhone, and iPad platforms, making it a truly cross-platform solution. Realm is particularly appealing for Android development and applications leveraging Java, providing an object-oriented approach to database management that aligns well with modern mobile development paradigms.

Matisse

Matisse Software Inc. offers database software and services aimed at companies requiring rapid and cost-effective development and deployment of scalable applications. As a commercial ObjectBox alternative, Matisse provides a robust database solution for Mac, Windows, and Linux. While not open-source, it focuses on delivering performance and scalability for enterprise-level applications, making it suitable for projects with specific commercial support or advanced feature requirements that may not be met by open-source alternatives.

Choosing the right database alternative depends heavily on your project's specific requirements, including platform support, performance needs, licensing preferences, and the complexity of data synchronization. We encourage you to explore these ObjectBox alternatives further to find the best fit for your development workflow and application goals.