ObjectBox
Object-oriented databases
Database software
NoSQL databases
- Features
- Ease of use
- Ease of management
- Quality of support
- Affordability
- Market presence
Take the quiz to check if ObjectBox and its alternatives fit your requirements.
Contact the product provider
Free TrialFree version
Small
Medium
Large
-
What is ObjectBox
ObjectBox is an embedded NoSQL database that stores data as objects and runs in-process within mobile, desktop, and IoT applications. It targets developers building offline-first apps and edge workloads that need local persistence with low latency and minimal operational overhead. The product provides language-specific APIs (notably for mobile and embedded development) and supports optional data synchronization for multi-device scenarios. It differentiates from server-centric database platforms by focusing on an object-oriented data model and on-device deployment.
Embedded, on-device deployment
ObjectBox runs inside the application process and does not require a separate database server to operate. This reduces infrastructure dependencies for mobile, desktop, and embedded/IoT deployments. It fits offline-first use cases where local reads and writes must continue without network connectivity. It also simplifies packaging and distribution compared with server-managed database software.
Object-oriented data model
The database maps persisted data to objects, which can reduce impedance mismatch for applications written in object-oriented languages. Developers typically work through language APIs rather than writing SQL. This approach can shorten development time for apps that primarily manipulate domain objects. It is positioned differently from general-purpose relational platforms in the reference set that emphasize SQL and centralized administration.
Sync option for edge apps
ObjectBox offers an optional synchronization capability to replicate data between devices and/or a backend, supporting multi-device and occasionally connected workflows. This can help teams avoid building custom replication logic for local databases. The sync feature is oriented to application-level data sharing rather than enterprise-wide data warehousing. It is particularly relevant for field apps and edge deployments where connectivity is intermittent.
Not a general-purpose server DB
ObjectBox is primarily designed as an embedded database, so it is not a direct replacement for centralized, server-managed database platforms used for large multi-tenant workloads. Operational features common in enterprise database software (e.g., centralized governance, mature tooling ecosystems, and broad third-party integrations) may be less extensive. Teams needing shared access by many concurrent clients typically evaluate server databases first. This can limit suitability for traditional enterprise back-office systems.
Ecosystem and portability constraints
Applications often depend on ObjectBox-specific APIs and data modeling patterns, which can increase switching costs. Query capabilities and tooling vary by language binding and may not match the breadth of SQL-based ecosystems. Data export/import and interoperability with external analytics tools can require additional engineering. This is a common trade-off for embedded, object-oriented databases.
Sync introduces architectural complexity
When synchronization is used, teams must design for conflict handling, schema evolution, and data lifecycle across devices. These concerns can add complexity compared with purely local persistence. Licensing and deployment considerations for sync components may also affect total cost and architecture choices. Organizations with strict governance requirements may need extra validation around replication behavior and operational controls.
Plan & Pricing
Pricing model: Custom / per-project (quote) Free tier/trial:
- ObjectBox core database: Permanently free to use (forever free).
- ObjectBox Data Sync: Free trial available (trial Docker images for the Sync Server; trial period described on the vendor site). Example costs: No public list prices or per-unit rates are published on the official site. Pricing for Data Sync is provided via a personalized quote only. Discount / pricing factors: Pricing is adaptive and based on project factors such as number of users/devices/sync instances, business model (hobby/startup vs. scale), support needs, developer days/training, and other customer-specific requirements. How to purchase / trial: Contact ObjectBox for a personalised quote (Get a quote / Ask for a ballpark pricing). Data Sync trial Docker images are publicly available for testing (docker pull objectboxio/sync-server-trial).
Seller details
ObjectBox Ltd.
Unsure
Private
https://objectbox.io/
https://x.com/objectbox_io
https://www.linkedin.com/company/objectbox/
