Hive

At a glance

• Editor score
  6.8 / 10
• Pricing
  Open source
• Best for
  Simple encrypted Flutter local storage
• Paid from
  Free
• Offline mode
  Yes
• Facts checked
  21 Sep 2026

• Where it wins

  • AES-256 encryption for local data
  • Supports typed objects, transactions, and lazy boxes
  • Runs across mobile, desktop, and web platforms

• Where it doesn't

  • No built-in data synchronization service
  • No hosted database offering
  • The 4.0.0 development line is not production-ready

Our verdict on Hive

Hive is an open-source local key-value database library for Dart and Flutter applications. It is designed for developers who need embedded persistence inside mobile, desktop, or web apps rather than a hosted database. Data is organized into boxes, with support for primitive values and custom objects through type adapters. Native platforms use files, while browser storage is provided through IndexedDB. Its offline focus makes it a practical fit for local application data on iOS and Android, as well as Windows, macOS, and Linux.

The feature set is concentrated around local storage. AES-256 encryption protects stored data, while transactions support grouped operations and multi-isolate access supports applications that need concurrent isolate usage. Lazy boxes allow on-demand reads, which suits data that does not need to be loaded all at once. Typed object persistence gives Flutter developers a structured way to store custom application models without limiting Hive to simple key-value pairs. Browser support through IndexedDB extends the same storage approach to web applications.

Hive is a strong choice when the requirement is encrypted, offline persistence with a small and focused scope. It is open source and does not require a hosted service for its core storage features. The trade-off is that it provides no data synchronization and no documented hosted pricing or synchronization service. Teams needing cloud-backed replication, a hosted database, or broader integrations should choose a product built around those capabilities instead. The stable pub.dev release is 2.2.3, while the 4.0.0 development line is marked unstable and not production-ready, so production projects should account for that release distinction.

Your product? Our editors can test Hive in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →

Hive pricing

Hive fact sheet

Alternatives to Hive

• Couchbase LiteA broad offline NoSQL option with local storage, synchronization, search, and cross-platform SDKs.9.4
• DittoA strong fit for apps that must sync across peers when connectivity is unreliable.9.2
• AWS Amplify DataStoreA focused choice for cross-platform apps that need offline data and AppSync sync.9.0

See all Hive alternatives →

Featured on iTechGuides

Hive is listed in our Mobile Databases directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.

<a href="https://www.itechguides.com/products/hive-mobile-database/"><img src="https://www.itechguides.com/best/badge/hive-mobile-database.svg" alt="Featured on iTechGuides" width="230" height="46"></a>

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Last updated 7 Oct 2026 · How we research and update