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Apache AGE vs PuppyGraph

Apache AGE: PostgreSQL extension that adds openCypher graph queries alongside SQL. PuppyGraph: Zero-ETL graph query engine that runs Cypher and Gremlin directly on your lakehouse and SQL tables.

key differences

  • Licensing: Apache AGE is open source (permissive) (Apache License 2.0); PuppyGraph is proprietary (Proprietary (free Developer Edition)).
  • PuppyGraph is built for larger datasets (≤ 1 PB) than Apache AGE (≤ 10 TB).
  • Horizontal scaling is none in Apache AGE and native in PuppyGraph.
  • Transactions: Apache AGE offers full ACID; PuppyGraph offers none.
  • Only Apache AGE has transactions, joins, secondary indexes, json, triggers.
  • Only PuppyGraph has columnar storage.

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 puppygraph for

  • +Graph analytics over a lakehouse
  • +Cybersecurity and log relationship analysis
  • +Fraud detection on warehouse data
  • +Supply-chain lineage across existing tables

best at · Graph analytics, Traversal, Lakehouse

Apache AGEPostgreSQL extension that adds openCypher graph queries alongside SQL.
PuppyGraphZero-ETL graph query engine that runs Cypher and Gremlin directly on your lakehouse and SQL tables.
overview
Primary model
Graph
Graph
Also supports
Relational
–
Type
Extension
Database engine
Status
Active
Active
Developer
Apache Software Foundation
PuppyGraph, Inc.
First release
2020
2023
Latest version
1.8.0 (PG18) (Aug 2026)
1.16.0 (Oct 21, 2026)
License
Open source (permissive)Apache License 2.0
ProprietaryProprietary (free Developer Edition)
Free tier
✓
✓
popularity
WhichDB Score
20.2
5.6
Rank
#160
#380
GitHub stars
4.9K
–
Stack Overflow questions
288
–
scale & guarantees
Comfortable data size
Medium (≤ 10 TB)
Large (≤ 1 PB)
Horizontal scaling
None
Native
Multi-region
Read replicas
None
ACID
Full
None
Consistency
Strong
Eventual
Schema
Flexible
Strict
Architecture
Single node, Primary replica, Client server
Distributed, Client server
deployment
Self-hosted
✓
✓
Vendor-managed cloud
—
—
Serverless
—
—
Embedded
—
—
Edge
—
—
Clouds
Azure
AWS
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
openCypher, Gremlin
Client languages
Python, Go, Java, JavaScript, Rust
Any Neo4j driver, Any Gremlin driver
Best for
Traversal, OLTP, Knowledge graph
Graph analytics, Traversal, Lakehouse, OLAP
Add more to this comparisonNot sure either fits? Try smart match

Apache AGE vs PuppyGraph: FAQ

What is the difference between Apache AGE and PuppyGraph?

Apache AGE: PostgreSQL extension that adds openCypher graph queries alongside SQL. PuppyGraph: Zero-ETL graph query engine that runs Cypher and Gremlin directly on your lakehouse and SQL tables. Licensing: Apache AGE is open source (permissive) (Apache License 2.0); PuppyGraph is proprietary (Proprietary (free Developer Edition)). PuppyGraph is built for larger datasets (≤ 1 PB) than Apache AGE (≤ 10 TB). Horizontal scaling is none in Apache AGE and native in PuppyGraph.

When should I choose Apache AGE over PuppyGraph?

Choose Apache AGE for adding graph queries to an existing Postgres app; moderate-size knowledge graphs; and hierarchies and dependency graphs. Choose PuppyGraph for graph analytics over a lakehouse; cybersecurity and log relationship analysis; and fraud detection on warehouse data.

Is Apache AGE or PuppyGraph more popular?

Apache AGE ranks #160 on the WhichDB Score (20.2/100) and PuppyGraph ranks #380 (5.6/100). Popularity is not fit: check the requirements that matter for your project.

Are Apache AGE and PuppyGraph open source?

Yes. Apache AGE is open source. License: Apache License 2.0. No. PuppyGraph is proprietary, closed-source software.