If you've built a Flutter app that needs to store data locally, you've probably heard of SQLite. Maybe you've used the sqflite package and found yourself writing raw SQL, wrestling with type mismatches at runtime, or duplicating code across Android and iOS. There's a better approach that's been gaining traction in the Flutter community.
Drift (formerly known as Moor) is a type-safe database library that wraps SQLite while handling most of the tedious work for you. Rather than managing raw SQL strings, you define your tables in Dart, and Drift generates the boilerplate for you.
What is Drift and Why Consider It?
Drift is an ORM (Object-Relational Mapping) layer built on top of SQLite. You define your database schema using Dart classes, and Drift's code generator creates everything else: table classes, query methods, and type-safe bindings.
- Drift was originally called Moor and renamed to avoid confusion with other projects
- It compiles your schema definitions at build time using build_runner
- Generated code lives in a `.g.dart` file that you import alongside your database class
Key facts:
- Type safety catches errors during development, not after you ship
- Query methods are auto-generated—no manual SQL for common operations
- Works with Streambuilder and FutureBuilder for reactive UI updates
- Handles database migrations with a structured approach
- Supports mobile, desktop (Windows, MacOS, Linux), and web—sqflite does not
How Drift Compares to Traditional SQLite
The main pain point with raw SQLite (via sqflite) is that mistakes only surface when your app runs. If you accidentally pass a string to a column expecting an integer, your app crashes or corrupts data. Drift generates Dart classes for each table, so your IDE warns you about type mismatches before you run anything.
With sqflite, you write SQL strings manually. Insert a typo and you won't know until testing. Drift's generated methods accept Dart objects, which means your compiler acts as a safety net.
Say you are building a task management app and need to filter tasks by due date. With sqflite, you'd write a raw SQL query string. With Drift, you call a generated method that accepts Dart's `DateTime` type directly—no string formatting or SQL injection risks.
Getting Started: Tables and Generated Code
You define tables by extending Drift's `Table` class. Each column gets a type-safe getter that specifies its constraints.
A simple users table might look like this: an auto-incrementing integer id, a text name with length constraints, and a nullable age column. Drift translates these definitions into a full Dart class you can use throughout your app.
After defining your schema, you create a database class that extends `_$AppDatabase`. This class holds your CRUD operations—methods like `insertUser`, `getAllUsers`, `updateUser`, and `deleteUser`. Drift generates the implementation for these based on your table definitions.
Running `flutter pub run build_runner build` generates the `.g.dart` file that wires everything together. You never touch that generated file directly.
Cross-Platform Reach
One advantage Drift has over sqflite is platform coverage. Sqflite works only on Android and iOS. Drift runs on those mobile platforms plus desktop operating systems and the web, using different SQLite backends for each. If your app might expand beyond mobile, Drift reduces the pain of a future migration.
For teams using Agile or Scrum, this flexibility matters when planning a product roadmap. A team building a cross-platform productivity tool can prototype on mobile and later add a desktop UI without swapping out their data layer.
Our Analysis
Drift trades some upfront setup time for long-term reliability. The build_runner step adds a build-phase dependency, and developers unfamiliar with code generation may feel an extra hurdle. But the payoff is real: fewer runtime crashes from type errors, cleaner code that's easier to test, and a data layer that scales with your app.
For readers here—professionals using Agile workflows—the type safety Drift provides fits naturally intoDefinition of Done practices. A story isn't "done" if the data layer crashes under edge cases Drift would have caught at compile time.
Bottom Line
If you're starting a new Flutter project with local storage needs, Drift is worth the setup cost. The compile-time safety alone saves debugging time. If you're maintaining an existing sqflite codebase, evaluate whether the migration effort makes sense for your team's scale and risk tolerance.
Key takeaways
- Drift brings type safety to Flutter databases, catching errors during development rather than in production
- Auto-generated query methods reduce boilerplate and eliminate most raw SQL from your codebase
- Cross-platform support (mobile, desktop, web) makes Drift more future-proof than sqflite alone
- Teams following Scrum can incorporate Drift's compile-time checks into their Definition of Done
Frequently asked questions
What was Moor database?
Moor was the original name for the library now called Drift. The project was renamed to avoid confusion with an unrelated open-source project.
Do I need to write SQL with Drift?
For most operations, no—Drift generates Dart methods that handle queries for you. You can still write raw SQL when needed for complex operations.
How does Drift handle database migrations?
Drift provides structured migration support, letting you define schema changes in code rather than manually managing version numbers and alter statements.
Can I use Drift with existing SQLite databases?
Drift can open existing SQLite files and works with migrations to update schemas over time.
Is Drift suitable for production apps?
Yes, many production apps use Drift. Its type safety and cross-platform support make it a solid choice for apps ranging from prototypes to large-scale commercial products.