Proto DataStore is type safe and efficient but requires configuration and setup. If your app data is simple enough that it can be saved in key-value pairs, then Preferences DataStore is a better choice since it is much easier to set up.

Proto DataStore defines the schema using Protocol buffers. Using Protocol buffers, or Protobufs, lets you persist strongly typed data. Protobufs are faster, smaller, simpler, and less ambiguous than XML and other similar data formats.