SQLite is not just for prototypes. Postgres is not always necessary. Here's how I choose.
| Choose SQLite | Choose Postgres |
|---|---|
| Single-user or low concurrency | Many concurrent writers |
| Local-first or edge deploy | Complex queries, JSON ops |
| Zero hosting cost | Need row-level security |
| Read-heavy workloads | Team already on Supabase/RDS |
I start with SQLite for MVPs. I migrate to Postgres when I need concurrent writes or hosted auth integration (Supabase).