ArangoDB vs Neo4j Community
ArangoDB
Multi-model database: document + graph + key-value
Neo4j Community
Native graph database with Cypher query language
| Feature | ArangoDB | Neo4j Community |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Databases | Databases |
| Sub-category | Multi-Model | Graph |
| Maturity | mature | mature |
| Complexity | intermediate | intermediate |
| Performance tier | medium | medium |
| License | Apache-2.0 | GPL-3.0 |
| License type | permissive | copyleft |
| Pricing | fully free | fully free |
| GitHub stars | 14.0K | 13.0K |
| Contributors | 200 | 300 |
| Commit frequency | weekly | weekly |
| Plugin ecosystem | none | none |
| Docs quality | good | good |
| Backing org | ArangoDB | Neo4j Inc |
| Funding model | vc_backed | open_core |
| Min RAM | 1 GB | 2 GB |
| Min CPU cores | 2 | 2 |
| Scaling pattern | distributed | single_node |
| Self-hostable | Yes | Yes |
| K8s native | No | No |
| Offline capable | Yes | Yes |
| Vendor lock-in | none | none |
| Languages | C++ | Java |
| API type | REST | REST |
| Protocols | HTTP | HTTP |
| Deployment | docker, apt, binary | docker, apt, binary |
| SDK languages | — | — |
| Team size fit | solo, small, medium, enterprise | solo, small, medium, enterprise |
| First release | 2020 | 2020 |
| Latest version | — | — |
When to use ArangoDB
- ✓ Primary: graph-plus-document-queries
- ✓ Primary: knowledge-graphs
- ✓ Primary: multi-model-storage
When to use Neo4j Community
- ✓ Primary use: knowledge-graphs
- ✓ Primary use: fraud-detection
- ✓ Primary use: recommendation-engines
ArangoDB anti-patterns
- ✕ Jack of all trades, master of none
- ✕ AQL learning curve
- ✕ Smaller community than specialized DBs