Embedded Databases and 2025 Trends: Developer's Perspective

Embedded databases like DuckDB, chDB, SQLite, and Limbo are gaining prominence in 2025 for their ability to handle large datasets, reduce I/O bottlenecks, and simplify ETL processes by bringing computation directly to the data. These databases are crucial for real-time performance, simplified architecture, and support for cross-paradigm integration, making them ideal for applications requiring fast, local data processing. DuckDB is praised for its in-process execution and compatibility with Python dataframes, while chDB provides high-performance SQL OLAP capabilities without external servers. SQLite remains essential for embedded systems due to its lightweight and serverless nature, and Limbo offers modern enhancements like asynchronous operations and memory safety, targeting cloud-native environments. Kestra orchestrates these technologies into cohesive, event-driven workflows, enhancing the efficiency and flexibility of data processing pipelines. As data architectures evolve, the continued convergence of OLAP and OLTP, along with advancements in distributed computing, is expected to drive the adoption and innovation of embedded databases.