Why SQLite Is a Poor Fit for Production Strapi Applications

SQLite, while a well-engineered and capable database for certain applications like mobile apps, desktop software, and embedded systems, is not suitable for production Strapi applications due to architectural and operational mismatches. Strapi, a long-running server application, requires a database that can handle concurrent workloads, ensure data integrity, and support reliable backups and recovery, which SQLite struggles with due to its embedded nature and file-based storage system. This results in potential operational risks such as slow requests, timeouts, failed writes, and database corruption, especially in environments with regular restarts or deployments. Additionally, SQLite's permissive data integrity and foreign key constraints can lead to inconsistent data and hidden bugs, making it less reliable for CMS-driven applications where content correctness and uptime are crucial. The recommended approach for production Strapi deployments is to use server-based relational databases like PostgreSQL or MySQL/MariaDB, which are better suited to manage the demands of a production environment. Strapi Cloud offers an easy and managed option for using a production-grade database, reducing operational overhead and allowing teams to focus on content modeling and application logic.