Features
- Distributed SQLite at the edge (libSQL fork)
- Embedded replicas for ultra-low latency reads
- Multi-region replication
- Compatible with SQLite tools and libraries
Pros
- SQLite simplicity with distributed capabilities
- Embedded replicas give local-speed reads
- Generous free tier with 500 databases
Cons
- Write performance limited by primary node
- libSQL diverges from upstream SQLite
- Less mature than PostgreSQL-based alternatives
Overview
Turso is a distributed database platform built on libSQL, an open-source fork of SQLite. It brings SQLite’s simplicity and reliability to edge computing, replicating data across global locations for low-latency reads while maintaining a single primary for writes.
Turso’s embedded replicas feature lets you sync a local SQLite database with the cloud, giving your application local-speed reads with cloud-backed persistence. This is particularly powerful for edge applications and mobile offline-first architectures.
When to Use
Turso is ideal for edge applications that need low-latency reads globally, for embedded applications that want cloud sync, or when you love SQLite’s simplicity but need multi-region distribution. It pairs excellently with Drizzle ORM and edge runtimes.
Getting Started
# Install CLI
curl -sSfL https://get.tur.so/install.sh | bash
# Create a database
turso db create my-app
turso db tokens create my-appimport { createClient } from "@libsql/client";
const db = createClient({
url: "libsql://my-app-user.turso.io",
authToken: "your-token",
});
const result = await db.execute("SELECT * FROM users");