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The best lowdb alternatives

8 tools that do a similar job to lowdb, 8 of them open source. Each entry says what it does and who it suits, so you can pick the one that fits instead of the most famous.

You're replacing

lowdb

A small JSON-file database you use with plain JavaScript arrays and objects.

  1. 1

    NeDB

    Open source · MIT · ★ 13.5k

    A small embedded JavaScript database for Node.js, Electron and browsers, with no native dependencies.

    Best for: Small Node.js or Electron apps that need simple local storage without installing a separate database server; Prototypes and tests that want an in-memory datastore

  2. 2

    store.js

    Open source · MIT · ★ 14k

    A small JavaScript wrapper that saves values in the browser under one simple get/set API.

    Best for: Front-end developers who need to keep small pieces of data in the browser across page loads; Teams maintaining sites that must work on older browsers

  3. 3

    DuckDB

    Open source · MIT · ★ 42.7k

    An in-process analytical SQL database that runs inside your app with no server to manage.

    Best for: Analysts who want to run SQL directly on CSV, Parquet, or JSON files; Python or R users who work with pandas-style data and want fast SQL

  4. 4

    Turso

    Open source · MIT · ★ 25.1k

    An in-process SQL database in Rust that aims for SQLite compatibility, with Postgres support in progress.

    Best for: Developers who want an embedded SQLite-compatible database in a Rust, JavaScript, Python, Java, Go, or .NET project; Teams exploring a Rust-based alternative to SQLite that wants features like concurrent writes via MVCC

  5. 5

    libSQL

    Open source · MIT · ★ 17.3k

    An open-source fork of SQLite that accepts outside contributions.

    Best for: Developers who already use SQLite and want extra features like embedded replicas; Teams that want a SQLite-based database they can reach remotely through libsql-server

  6. 6

    lo

    Open source · MIT · ★ 21.4k

    A Go library of Lodash-style helpers for slices, maps, strings and channels, built on generics.

    Best for: Go developers who often transform slices or maps; Teams wanting type-safe helpers instead of repeated loops

  7. 7

    LEANN

    Open source · MIT · ★ 13.8k

    Local semantic search over your own files and chats, using far less storage than typical vector databases.

    Best for: Developers building a private RAG prototype on a personal machine; People who want to semantically search their own files or notes locally

  8. 8

    redux-persist

    Open source · MIT · ★ 12.9k

    Saves a Redux store to storage and restores it when the app starts.

    Best for: Web developers who want Redux state to survive a page reload; React Native developers who need state saved with AsyncStorage

How we pick: tools in the same category that solve the same problem, projects that name each other as alternatives, and open-source projects that describe themselves as an alternative to lowdb. We don't take payment for placement.