whichdb
vs

Apache AGE vs Neo4j

Apache AGE: PostgreSQL extension that adds openCypher graph queries alongside SQL. Neo4j: The default property-graph database, with Cypher, a big ecosystem and a managed cloud.

key differences

  • Licensing: Apache AGE is open source (permissive) (Apache License 2.0); Neo4j is open source (copyleft) (GPL-3.0 (Community) / commercial (Enterprise)).
  • Horizontal scaling is none in Apache AGE and addon in Neo4j.
  • Only Apache AGE has joins, json, triggers.
  • Only Neo4j has full-text search, vector search, geospatial, change data capture, encryption at rest.

choose apache-age for

  • +Adding graph queries to an existing Postgres app
  • +Moderate-size knowledge graphs
  • +Hierarchies and dependency graphs
  • +Prototyping graph features without a new database

best at · Traversal, OLTP, Knowledge graph

choose neo4j for

  • +Fraud rings and entity resolution
  • +Real-time recommendations
  • +Knowledge graphs for GraphRAG
  • +Network and IT dependency mapping

best at · Traversal, Graph analytics, Knowledge graph

Apache AGEPostgreSQL extension that adds openCypher graph queries alongside SQL.
Neo4jThe default property-graph database, with Cypher, a big ecosystem and a managed cloud.
overview
Primary model
Graph
Graph
Also supports
Relational
Vector
Type
Extension
Database engine
Status
Active
Active
Developer
Apache Software Foundation
Neo4j, Inc.
First release
2020
2007
Latest version
1.8.0 (PG18) (Aug 2026)
2026.10.1 (Oct 2026)
License
Open source (permissive)Apache License 2.0
Open source (copyleft)GPL-3.0 (Community) / commercial (Enterprise)
Free tier
✓
✓
popularity
WhichDB Score
20.2
61.2
Rank
#160
#15
GitHub stars
4.9K
17.4K
Stack Overflow questions
288
23K
scale & guarantees
Comfortable data size
Medium (≤ 10 TB)
Medium (≤ 10 TB)
Horizontal scaling
None
Addon
Multi-region
Read replicas
Read replicas
ACID
Full
Full
Consistency
Strong
Strong, Causal
Schema
Flexible
Flexible
Architecture
Single node, Primary replica, Client server
Single node, Primary replica, Client server
deployment
Self-hosted
✓
✓
Vendor-managed cloud
—
✓
Serverless
—
—
Embedded
—
—
Edge
—
—
Clouds
Azure
AWS, Google Cloud, Azure
capabilities
Transactions
✓
✓
Joins
✓
—
Secondary indexes
✓
✓
Full-text search
—
✓
Vector search
—
✓
Geospatial
—
✓
JSON
✓
—
Change data capture
—
✓
Triggers
✓
—
Stored procedures
✓
✓
Materialized views
—
—
TTL / expiry
—
—
Pub/Sub
—
—
Columnar storage
—
—
In-memory
—
—
Durable persistence
✓
✓
Compression
—
—
Encryption at rest
—
✓
Role-based access
✓
✓
Time travel
—
—
Branching
—
—
Online schema changes
—
✓
Streaming ingest
—
✓
Offline sync
—
—
Runs in WebAssembly
—
—
interfaces
Query languages
openCypher, SQL
Cypher, GQL
Client languages
Python, Go, Java, JavaScript, Rust
Java, JavaScript, Python, Go, .NET, Rust (community)
Best for
Traversal, OLTP, Knowledge graph
Traversal, Graph analytics, Knowledge graph, RAG
Add more to this comparisonNot sure either fits? Try smart match

Apache AGE vs Neo4j: FAQ

What is the difference between Apache AGE and Neo4j?

Apache AGE: PostgreSQL extension that adds openCypher graph queries alongside SQL. Neo4j: The default property-graph database, with Cypher, a big ecosystem and a managed cloud. Licensing: Apache AGE is open source (permissive) (Apache License 2.0); Neo4j is open source (copyleft) (GPL-3.0 (Community) / commercial (Enterprise)). Horizontal scaling is none in Apache AGE and addon in Neo4j. Only Apache AGE has joins, json, triggers.

When should I choose Apache AGE over Neo4j?

Choose Apache AGE for adding graph queries to an existing Postgres app; moderate-size knowledge graphs; and hierarchies and dependency graphs. Choose Neo4j for fraud rings and entity resolution; real-time recommendations; and knowledge graphs for GraphRAG.

Is Apache AGE or Neo4j more popular?

Neo4j ranks #15 on the WhichDB Score (61.2/100) and Apache AGE ranks #160 (20.2/100). Popularity is not fit: check the requirements that matter for your project.

Are Apache AGE and Neo4j open source?

Yes. Apache AGE is open source. License: Apache License 2.0. Yes. Neo4j is open source. License: GPL-3.0 (Community) / commercial (Enterprise).