How to Pick the Best iOS Database

What did the DBA say after they’d recovered a corrupted database? “Keep calm and query on.” Luckily, if you’ve got great iOS systems to hand, the chances of this happening are slightly lower. 

Our guide has compiled everything you need to know about picking the best iOS databases and why they’re so helpful. We’ve even selected a few of our favorites so you can choose the right one for your needs. Let's dive into some iOS database detective work, and we promise, no more Dad jokes. 

What is a database for iOS?

Let’s start with a few pointers on iOS databases for developers. What are they, and why do we need them?

An iOS database stores data in iOS applications, often locally on the device, making data accessible even when said device is offline. 

If you’re looking to choose an iOS database, there are a couple of key considerations for the application. These are: 

• Type of data being stored 
• Access permissions for data

Once you’ve considered these, it’s time to choose the right database tool for your needs. We’ll examine this next. 

How to choose the best iOS database: key factors & considerations

Databases all have a few things in common. They’re able to store, query, and manipulate data. However, that doesn’t mean they’re exactly the same. In fact, we’d go as far as to say that not all databases are created equal.

So, before you go about choosing the best database for your iOS application, the first thing to think about is this:

What are the requirements of your application? 

Of course, this raises a couple more questions to think about. We briefly touched on these above. They are:

What types of data are you storing?

It may be structured or unstructured, or you may need to store larger files. Do multiple users need access to it?

How will data be accessed?

If multiple users need access to the data, will it need to be available across multiple data sources? If so, you’ll require more complex queries to join it. 

Once you’ve considered these, it’s time to consider some of the other key factors influencing how you’ll select the best iOS database for your needs. 

• Maintaining data consistency: This is essential to ensure that any information stored in the database remains current. When working in iOS, real-time data updates are common. This ensures that all users receive the same information simultaneously. A perfectly synchronized data process will prevent discrepancies in data and ensure a seamless user experience.
• Consistency of speed: How quickly data is retrieved and processed impacts an app’s responsiveness and user satisfaction. An optimized database efficiently handles queries and delivers data swiftly, resulting in smooth interactions. Conversely, slow databases lead to laggy app performance, which can ultimately be very frustrating.  
• How scalable is it?: Once an iOS app or program gains popularity, it must be able to scale up to meet the increased demand so that the app remains responsive, especially during higher activity periods. Selecting an iOS database that will handle increased data volumes is essential. 
• What are your security needs?: Just as with scalability, as an iOS database grows, so does the need for enhanced security. Of course, this should always be a priority from the outset, but also consider how these needs will alter as you scale up. 
• How efficient is the data structure? The database’s data structure determines how efficiently the app can store and retrieve data. It needs to suit specific data needs and use cases. Efficiently structured databases offer better query performance, reduce data redundancy, and streamline data management.

With all this in mind, we’ll now examine the best types of iOS databases for your needs. 

What are the different types of iOS databases? 

When you think about the different types of iOS databases, it’s best to consider what your business might need for its apps. We’ll run you through some of these options now.

Relational/SQL: Organizes data into tables, rows, and columns. Popular for structured data. SQLite and GRDB are modern examples that work well on iOS.

NoSQL: Flexible, non-relational databases ideal for unstructured or constantly changing data. Firebase remains a strong cloud-hosted option.

Object-oriented: Represents data as objects and classes, often mirroring object-oriented programming languages. Core Data and the newer SwiftData framework are excellent choices for complex object graphs.

Hierarchical: Stores data in a tree-like structure, often used for high-performance or high-availability applications.

Secure Storage: For sensitive information like passwords or tokens, Keychain provides encrypted, secure local storage.

Device-to-Cloud Sync: Previously handled by tools like Atlas Device SDK, developers now use Ditto, AWS AppSync, or Ably for syncing data across devices and the cloud.

Most commonly used iOS databases 

Here, we’ll examine the best picks and consider their pros and cons so you can make an informed decision. 

SQLite

Pros: Lightweight, adaptable for both iOS and Android, embedded with no server required.

Cons: No cloud sync, limited security, not ideal for very large apps.

Update: Actively maintained (latest stable version 3.50.4, 2025) and remains a solid choice for lightweight relational storage.

UserDefaults

Pros: Consistent for small data, supports in-memory caching, included in iOS backups.

Cons: Limited data types, not suitable for sensitive data, can slow app if overused.

Update: Still relevant, but caution is advised for large or sensitive data due to occasional data loss on recent iPadOS updates.

Core Data

Pros: Excellent for managing complex objects, supports lazy loading for performance.

Cons: Framework only, paired database needed; steep learning curve.

Update: Core Data remains robust. For newer projects, SwiftData is recommended as a SwiftUI-friendly alternative with declarative syntax for persistent storage.

Firebase

Pros: Cloud-hosted, scalable, strong community support.

Cons: Some performance limitations; complex queries may require additional cloud functions.

Update: Continues to be widely used (latest iOS SDK 12.1.0, 2025).

Additional Modern Alternatives

GRDB: A Swift toolkit for SQLite that offers more flexibility, better performance, and Swift integration. Great for developers needing a lightweight but powerful relational database.

Keychain: Best for securely storing sensitive data like passwords, tokens, or credentials. Fully supported and recommended for security-critical applications.

Get the best iOS Support with Tapptitude 

Getting the scoop on the best iOS databases is great, because it means you can prepare for every eventuality when planning an app. However, stop and think for a minute - do you need more? From time to time, you might need the assistance of a company that can do everything for you, from concept to final design. 

That’s where the team at Tapptitude comes in. What would you like to develop today? Chat with us, and we will bring your ideas to life. You get the best product possible; we have the satisfaction of knowing we’ve contributed to your success. 

Talk to the Tapptitude team today, and we'll deliver the goods. 

FAQs on iOS Databases

Let’s end our roundup with a swift review of some pertinent questions developers might have when considering iOS databases. 

Which is the best database for iOS?

Choosing the best database for iOS will depend on any number of factors. 

Consider the type of app you’re trying to build, the amount of data you need to store, and the security features you’ll need. 

Sometimes, it’s trial and error to find the right program. 

Why choose iOS databases?

iOS databases are a good choice for storing data in iOS apps because they are secure and encrypted and can store data locally. Access will always be restricted to approved apps. Apple’s security features, such as Touch ID and two-factor authentication, make them even more secure. 

They’re simple to use, and you can access information across all iOS devices; in some cases, some databases are compatible with many platforms. 

Many offer great performance, with developers being able to lazy load data, input validation, and robust querying capabilities to enhance performance

Are there any free databases for iOS?

You might wonder if there are any free databases for iOS. There are! The two most well-known are EZ Database and Ninox. 

EZ Database is a simple service that allows users to create databases without prior knowledge of SQL. It’s designed for beginners, but more experienced users will still benefit. 

Ninox Database for iPhone is a business database for iPhone use. It’s a cloud-based database with a low-code platform and users can create business applications with it without any need for coding.