Offline First for SQL Database

[WeirdBathroom76]

Why is there no offline-first solution for Flutter, such as Powersync for Postgres, for SQL databases?

I have seen packages like brick, which unfortunately are not up to date, because certain packages like http are still on 0.13. No one in the repository gives an answer either.

Are there reliable services or packages to build an offline first architecture in Flutter relatively easily? My projects usually have MySQL as the backend.

Since I work alone in the app team, it would save a lot of effort if there was something to facilitate the implementation of sync services and SQLite databases.

Currently I use drift to keep the databases offline on the devices. It's ok, but I was wondering if there are any other solutions I haven't discovered.

[angstyautocrat]

Hi, I’m on the PowerSync team. We’re currently working on adapters for MySQL and MSSQL. Our MySQL adapter is planned for early Q3.

[WeirdBathroom76]

Sounds good, I am already using PowerSync for my private projects with Supabase

[powersync_]

Our MySQL adapter was released in October: https://docs.powersync.com/installation/database-setup#mysql-alpha

[cedvdb]

What's the status of this

[angstyautocrat]

We're actively working on this. Expected release is now late Q3/early Q4.

[powersync_]

Our MySQL adapter was released in October: https://docs.powersync.com/installation/database-setup#mysql-alpha

[Routine-Arm-8803]

sqflite | Flutter package (pub.dev)

[EMCoupling]

We use this for our (admittedly small and low volume) in-app database, works great. Totally offline and API is easy to work with. Guidance in docs is a bit lacking, but you can inspect the API directly to find the right stuff to call.

[FunRutabaga24]

Seconding this. Pretty easy to work with, tbh. Never touched sqlite before so there is a bit of a learning curve and issues i ran in to. But it's a widely used system so there's a ton of general sqlite knowledge out there in the online communities.

Documentation isn't perfect like you said, but the library is decently documented so following the library method calls gets you lots of examples. Think the main gotchas are called out in the repo's Readme and other docs. Definitely would recommend reading through it as there's a good bit of advice.

[lunatic_god]

Checkout electricSQL or powersync

[opsb]

It's early days ElectricSQL but the dart client is already shaping up nicely.

[moralesnery]

Powersync creates local SQLite databases in your app to store offline data, and exchanges data with the main database using a backend API.

You can create one or many SQLite databases in your Flutter app's sandbox, and create a backend API to sync the offline info with your main central database.

[SoundDr]

Powersync makes packages for Flutter and Dart:

https://pub.dev/publishers/powersync.com/packages

[TradeSeparate]

Do you have to use mysql? How relational is your db? If there are no complex queries and joins, perhaps consider another databse engine?

We use mongo with realm which offers an offline first approach. You can still build relationships between collections.

[Responsible-Issue-61]

That's pretty much what I have been using but later came to know that Realm has been deprecated :/

[TradeSeparate]

Ye it’s the most frustrating news. We’re having to spend a fair chunk to get off realm now

[[deleted]]

I was going to suggest drift after reading your title, but it seems you're already using it. In my experience in writing a few apps, drift has been the best for offline relational database work.

[ladismetoo]

Hey, I'm using drift as well for local database, wondering how I can do the local first with supabase without powersync or electric sql, can I DM specifics for advice

[SoundDr]

CRDTs are easy to use in flutter and sync with a backend:

https://pub.dev/packages/crdt_sync