Question

I am looking into using a lightweight serverless database engine like SQLite, Firebird, or VistaDB in an upcoming project.

Someone asked about What are the advantages of VistaDB.

I would like to know what are the disadvantages of using VistaDB versus other technology?

UPDATE (07/13/2010): VistaDB out of business (the real disadvantage)

I have just learned that Infinite Codex (the company that owns and makes VistaDB) is going out of business and the offices will close as of August 1, 2010. View the company press release regarding the closing.

UPDATE (02/11/2011): VistaDB product back in business!

Before Infinite Codex closed its doors, it sold the VistaDB product to eSymmetrix, Inc. The VistaDB software is now alive and well….for the time being.

Answer 1

UPDATE: VistaDB out of business

Press Release from Infinite Codex (the company that makes VistaDB) stating they are going out of business.

• License does not allow publishing performance statistics, so how it truly compares to SQLite or Firebird isn’t well documented
• SQLite community is much larger so you can probably find better community support (but VistaDB has commercial support too, so that is an advantage, depending on your perspective)
• 100% managed, which means if you ever need to access the database from a non-.NET project you can’t (but 100% managed also has advantages too)
• Small company product. You’re relying heavily on a product, think about what impact it would have if the company stopped making new releases or supporting it. If you abstract out your VistaDB-specific code then this can be mitigated, but it’s something to think about.
• Cost. IMO this is a very minor issue, but something to consider.