Realm is an embedded mobile database for iOS, Android, and React Native that prioritizes offline-first functionality and cloud sync. Unlike REST APIs that require network connectivity, Realm stores data locally on the device and synchronizes to MongoDB Cloud asynchronously. Apps read and write to the local database instantly, giving users a fast, responsive experience whether online or offline. Realm is object-oriented: you define data models in code, and Realm handles persistence, indexing, and ACID transactions automatically. When you enable Realm Sync, changes sync bi-directionally with MongoDB Cloud.