pysqlite3
DB-API 2.0 interface for Sqlite 3.x
Decision gist · record as of 2026-08-14
Yes, if you need a specific SQLite version or features beyond the standard library. The precompiled wheels make installation straightforward on common platforms. The MIT license is permissive, there are no known vulnerabilities, and it's a drop-in replacement for sqlite3. Install only if you have a concrete reason—the standard library module is sufficient for most applications.AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page — verify before relying
Before you install
- Requires Python 3.9 or later; building from source requires a C compiler and SQLite development headers if not using the precompiled wheel.
- Medium install friction due to compiled wheels for multiple Python versions and platforms; the package is aging (221 days since last release) but remains in the top-15000 tier with no known vulnerabilities.
License · maintenance · safety
MIT (permissive) — MIT license permits commercial and private use with minimal restrictions; you must include the license notice in distributions.
last release 2026-01-05 (221 days)
0 known vulnerabilities (OSV.dev, 2026-08-14) · 461,334 downloads/mo, #6,534 on PyPI
Alternatives
Verify before relying
pip install pysqlite3
import pysqlite3.dbapi2 as sqlite3
conn = sqlite3.connect(':memory:')
cursor = conn.cursor()
cursor.execute('SELECT 1')
print(cursor.fetchone())- Whether the aging maintenance status (221 days since release) signals reduced active development or stable maturity.
- Performance characteristics compared to the standard library sqlite3 module.
- Compatibility guarantees with specific SQLite versions when using the amalgamation build option.
- Which Python versions are covered by the precompiled wheels beyond what the classifiers indicate.
What it is and what it does
pysqlite3 is a repackaging of Python's sqlite3 module as a standalone, installable library. It lets you decouple your SQLite version from what ships with Python, which is useful when you need a newer SQLite release, specific extensions, or a self-contained binary that works across environments. The package offers precompiled wheels for multiple Python versions on macOS (ARM), Linux, Windows, and musl-based systems, eliminating the need to compile from source in most cases.
The library implements the standard DB-API 2.0 interface, so code written for the built-in sqlite3 module works unchanged. It adds features like user-defined window functions (requires SQLite >= 3.25), VFS and flags support for connection tuning, incremental BLOB I/O, and the native SQLite backup API. You can also build it statically linked against a specific SQLite version by providing the amalgamation source files.
Use it for
- Use it when your application requires a SQLite version newer than what ships with your Python release.
- Use it to deploy a self-contained application that doesn't depend on system SQLite libraries being present.
- Use it to enable SQLite extensions or features not available in the standard library module.
- Use it in containerized or embedded environments where you need reproducible SQLite behavior across platforms.
Worth the install?
AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page. Verify before relying on it.
Yes, if you need a specific SQLite version or features beyond the standard library.
The precompiled wheels make installation straightforward on common platforms. The MIT license is permissive, there are no known vulnerabilities, and it's a drop-in replacement for sqlite3. Install only if you have a concrete reason—the standard library module is sufficient for most applications.
Install
pysqlite3 on PyPI
Before you install
Medium install friction due to compiled wheels for multiple Python versions and platforms; the package is aging (221 days since last release) but remains in the top-15000 tier with no known vulnerabilities.
Requires Python 3.9 or later; building from source requires a C compiler and SQLite development headers if not using the precompiled wheel.
License in practice
MIT license permits commercial and private use with minimal restrictions; you must include the license notice in distributions.
Quickstart
pip install pysqlite3
import pysqlite3.dbapi2 as sqlite3
conn = sqlite3.connect(':memory:')
cursor = conn.cursor()
cursor.execute('SELECT 1')
print(cursor.fetchone())Verify before relying
- Whether the aging maintenance status (221 days since release) signals reduced active development or stable maturity.
- Performance characteristics compared to the standard library sqlite3 module.
- Compatibility guarantees with specific SQLite versions when using the amalgamation build option.
- Which Python versions are covered by the precompiled wheels beyond what the classifiers indicate.
Package facts
| License | MIT permissive |
| Python support | Supports the current Python release >=3.9 |
| Install friction | Medium. Platform-specific wheel |
| Runtime dependencies | None |
| Maintenance | Aging 221 days since the last release |
| First released | |
| Downloads | 461,334 / month, #6,534 on PyPI 30-day window, as of 2026-08-14 |
| Known vulnerabilities | None known OSV.dev, checked 2026-08-14 |
| Classifiers | Programming Language :: CProgramming Language :: Python :: 3Topic :: Database :: Database Engines/Servers |
Evidence: pysqlite3-0.6.0-cp310-cp310-macosx_11_0_arm64.whl; pysqlite3-0.6.0-cp310-cp310-manylinux_2_28_x86_64.whl; pysqlite3-0.6.0-cp310-cp310-musllinux_1_2_x86_64.whl; pysqlite3-0.6.0-cp310-cp310-win32.whl; pysqlite3-0.6.0-cp310-cp310-win_amd64.whl; pysqlite3-0.6.0-cp311-cp311-macosx_11_0_arm64.whl; pysqlite3-0.6.0-cp311-cp311-manylinux_2_28_x86_64.whl; pysqlite3-0.6.0-cp311-cp311-musllinux_1_2_x86_64.whl; pysqlite3-0.6.0-cp311-cp311-win32.whl; pysqlite3-0.6.0-cp311-cp311-win_amd64.whl; pysqlite3-0.6.0-cp312-cp312-macosx_11_0_arm64.whl; pysqlite3-0.6.0-cp312-cp312-manylinux_2_28_x86_64.whl; pysqlite3-0.6.0-cp312-cp312-musllinux_1_2_x86_64.whl; pysqlite3-0.6.0-cp312-cp312-win32.whl; pysqlite3-0.6.0-cp312-cp312-win_amd64.whl; pysqlite3-0.6.0-cp313-cp313-macosx_11_0_arm64.whl; pysqlite3-0.6.0-cp313-cp313-manylinux_2_28_x86_64.whl; pysqlite3-0.6.0-cp313-cp313-musllinux_1_2_x86_64.whl; pysqlite3-0.6.0-cp313-cp313-win32.whl; pysqlite3-0.6.0-cp313-cp313-win_amd64.whl
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