Why I Built an AI App Without a Database (And You Might Too)

The Default Path

Most SaaS applications follow a predictable pattern: collect user data, store it in PostgreSQL, analyze usage patterns, and monetize through subscriptions. It's the established playbook, and for good reason—it works.

But this default path comes with significant baggage: GDPR compliance requirements, data breach risks, encryption complexity, backup strategies, and the ongoing responsibility of protecting user information.

"Every major SaaS breach started with 'we store user data securely.' The question isn't if you'll be breached, but when."

The Privacy-First Alternative

TopFlow takes a radically different approach: zero server-side data storage. User workflows live entirely in the browser's localStorage, and execution happens in a stateless, request-scoped context.

How It Works

• Client-side storage: Workflows are saved in localStorage, never sent to our servers
• Stateless execution: When you run a workflow, we process it and return results—no data is retained
• Ephemeral rate limiting: Redis stores hashed IPs for 24 hours (for DDoS protection), then auto-deletes
• No PII = No breach: Without personal data, there's nothing to steal

Real-World Implementation

This isn't just theory. Here's how TopFlow implements privacy-first architecture in production with Next.js and TypeScript:

// Client-side workflow storage
export function saveWorkflow(workflow: Workflow) {
  localStorage.setItem('topflow-workflow', JSON.stringify(workflow))
}

// Stateless execution (no data retention)
export async function executeWorkflow(workflow: Workflow) {
  const response = await fetch('/api/execute', {
    method: 'POST',
    body: JSON.stringify(workflow),
  })
  // Server processes and returns results immediately
  // No data is stored on our end
  return response.json()
}

GDPR Compliance: Automatic

Here's the beautiful part: when you don't collect data, GDPR compliance becomes dramatically simpler:

• Article 5 (Data Minimization): ✅ We don't collect any personal data
• Article 15 (Right to Access): ✅ Users already have their data (it's in their browser)
• Article 17 (Right to Erasure): ✅ Users can delete their data anytime (clear localStorage)

Trade-offs & When This Works

This architecture isn't for everyone. Here's when it makes sense:

The Results

TopFlow's privacy-first architecture delivers tangible benefits:

• Zero data breaches: Can't lose data you never collected
• GDPR compliant by design: No consent forms, no data processing agreements
• $0 database costs: Saves ~$50-100/month in infrastructure
• User trust: Users control their own data, always

Try It Yourself

Experience privacy-first architecture in action. Visit topflow.dev and build an AI workflow—no signup required, no data collected.