PGlite
Full PostgreSQL running in WASM for browsers and Node.js. PGlite packages PostgreSQL (via Emscripten compilation) as a WASM module — enabling a real Postgres database to run entirely in the browser or Node.js without a server. Supports real SQL (including extensions like pgvector), transactions, and full Postgres compatibility. Created by the ElectricSQL team. Enables agent tools and developer environments with zero-server Postgres.
Score Breakdown
⚙ Agent Friendliness
🔒 Security
Local execution — no network attack surface. Browser-stored data accessible to same-origin JS — don't store secrets. WASM sandbox provides isolation from host OS.
⚡ Reliability
Best When
You need real Postgres SQL semantics in a browser or embedded Node.js context without a server — especially for development tools, offline apps, or demos.
Avoid When
You need multi-user access, large datasets, or full Postgres extension ecosystem — use a real PostgreSQL server.
Use Cases
- • Run real PostgreSQL in the browser for agent development tools, local-first apps, or interactive SQL tutorials
- • Use as an embedded database in Node.js CLI tools or agent processes that need SQL without a separate server
- • Power in-browser database demos, SQL playgrounds, and schema explorers that run entirely client-side
- • Use pgvector extension for vector similarity search in browser-based agent applications without server infrastructure
- • Combine with ElectricSQL sync for local-first apps with Postgres-compatible local query capabilities
Not For
- • Production multi-user applications — PGlite is single-user, in-process; use PostgreSQL server for multi-user production
- • Large datasets (gigabytes) — browser memory limits constrain PGlite to MB-scale datasets
- • Applications requiring Postgres extensions beyond what PGlite bundles — not all extensions are available in WASM build
Interface
Authentication
No authentication — embedded local database. Single-process access only.
Pricing
Apache 2.0 licensed open source project from ElectricSQL.
Agent Metadata
Known Gotchas
- ⚠ PGlite is 0.x — API and persistence model may change; pin version for production use
- ⚠ Initial WASM load is ~6MB — first-load in browsers requires significant download; use CDN caching and show loading state
- ⚠ Persistence requires explicit filesystem configuration — in-memory by default; use idb:// prefix for IndexedDB persistence in browsers
- ⚠ Multi-tab access to the same PGlite database causes data corruption — PGlite is single-writer; use a shared worker or leader election for multi-tab apps
- ⚠ pgvector extension is available but adds to WASM bundle size — include only if needed for vector operations
- ⚠ Not all Postgres extensions are available — custom extensions, pg_stat_statements, and some contrib modules not included in WASM build
Alternatives
Full Evaluation Report
Detailed scoring breakdown, competitive positioning, security analysis, and improvement recommendations for PGlite.
Scores are editorial opinions as of 2026-03-06.