SQLite is All You Need: The "One-Person Stack" for 2026

The article argues that the default Rails stack, including PostgreSQL, Redis, and potentially Elasticsearch, is overly complex for solo developers. Modern hardware, particularly NVMe SSDs, has eliminated the performance limitations of file-based databases. SQLite, when combined with Rails 8's "Solid" features such as Solid Queue, Cache, and Cable, can replace Redis effectively. The shift to SQLite simplifies infrastructure and reduces the "network tax" associated with networked databases. Despite concerns about scalability, SQLite with WAL mode can handle significant concurrency for many applications. N+1 queries are less of a performance issue in SQLite because of the speed of local function calls. Backups and data recovery are easily handled using tools like Litestream, streaming data to object storage. The author encourages solo developers to embrace SQLite for its simplicity and velocity benefits. This approach minimizes infrastructure management, allowing more focus on product development. Complex setups like those with multiple database services are seen as a hindrance to rapid development. Ultimately, the author suggests that SQLite offers a streamlined, efficient, and appropriate solution for many indie SaaS projects.