Offline-first app development (local storage + server sync)

Ionic Framework Ionic Vue
#1

I’m delving into my first Ionic Vue cross-platform offline-first app and would love to hear any advice for tools to go about it, particularly for local data storage and two-way sync to server. Here’s a simple summary of technical needs for the app:

  • Offline, local storage by default
  • Optional account signup enables two-way sync with server
  • CRUD operations on text data (no images or other file types for now)
  • Cross-platform Android, iOS, and web

The two-way sync needs to be robust enough to handle frequent usage back and forth between mobile and web apps, and I’d like to use a library that handles as much of the sync logic as possible. If it has integrations for Ionic and/or Vue even better.

From what I’ve researched these seem to be the existing options for local storage with sync to server:

PouchDB looks ideal, I’m just surprised by the small number of GitHub repos using it with Vue. I’m also open to SQL-based options.

Also I get the impression that to really persist local storage, I’ll need to also use the Ionic storage module as well. Is this accurate?

Much thanks for any recommendations or advice.

1 Like
#2

Hi

I am working on an offline first app in PWA, using my home-brew sync mechanism (not fully two way) using Ionic Storage and Firebase. I am not sure if this was the best choice. SQL could have been easier/better? Knowing that read speeds from server arent that critical anymore (for UI response times) in an offline first app. Syncing tables is maybe an easier task.

PWA and localstorage on iOS - not sure if that is a happy marriage too - if there is lots of data.

So besides your backend choices, it is interesting to know how you want to deploy the app.

In a capacitor/cordova solution, it is easy to implement sqlite.

I assume, there is a lot written/available about sync strategies in sql only situation. But not aware of libraries nor experience.

1 Like
#3

Hi,

Offline first app development is an amazing concept which will reduce the probability of users uninstalling apps. Yes, due to lousy internet speed or poor connection, tons of mobile apps have been discarded by the users from their smart phones across the globe yearly. Apparently these circumstances will affect any business if that app seems a primary source for that business. With offline apps, this can be fixed.