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Tech Stack Guide

Best Tech Stack for Offline-First Apps in 2026

Apps that work without internet. Ideal for field workers, travel, or unreliable connectivity scenarios.

Updated for 2026. Practical recommendations based on real projects.

$50-200
Monthly Running Cost
$0-300
Initial Setup Cost

Recommended Tech Stack for Offline First

Our top picks for building a offline first in 2026, with reasoning for each choice.

Frontend

React Native - Native offline storage capabilities
Expo - SQLite and file system access built-in
WatermelonDB - High-performance offline database

Backend

Node.js - Sync server for conflict resolution
PostgreSQL - Source of truth for synced data

Database

SQLite - Local database on device
WatermelonDB/Realm - Reactive offline-first database

Hosting

Supabase - PostgreSQL with real-time sync features
AWS Amplify - DataStore with automatic sync

Extras

PowerSync - Postgres to SQLite sync service
CRDTs (Y.js) - Conflict-free replicated data types
Service Workers - PWA offline caching for web

Stack Architecture Overview

Frontend
React Native
Expo
WatermelonDB
Backend
Node.js
PostgreSQL
Database
SQLite
WatermelonDB/Realm
Hosting
Supabase
AWS Amplify
Extras
PowerSync
CRDTs (Y.js)
Service Workers

Alternative Tech Stacks

Depending on your team's expertise and specific requirements, these alternatives might be a better fit.

PWA Stack

Next.jsIndexedDBService WorkersWorkbox

Best for: Web apps with offline capability

Firebase Stack

React NativeFirebaseFirestore Offline

Best for: Simpler sync with Firebase infrastructure

Realm Stack

React NativeRealmMongoDB Atlas

Best for: Enterprise offline-first with managed sync

Key Considerations

Important factors to keep in mind when building a offline first.

  • Conflict resolution strategy is critical
  • Storage limits vary by platform
  • Sync can be complex with large datasets
  • Test extensively in offline conditions
  • Consider data expiration for storage management

When to Avoid This Stack

This stack might not be the best choice for the following scenarios.

  • Apps requiring always-current data
  • Real-time collaborative tools
  • Content streaming applications

Need Help Building Your Offline First?

We build MVPs using these exact stacks. Get your offline first launched in 2 weeks for $2,997 with our 90-day revenue guarantee.

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