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Apache CouchDB vs PouchDB

Apache CouchDB: HTTP/JSON document database built around multi-master replication and offline-first sync. PouchDB: JavaScript database for browsers and Node that speaks the CouchDB replication protocol.

key differences

  • Apache CouchDB is built for larger datasets (≤ 10 TB) than PouchDB (≤ 100 GB).
  • Horizontal scaling is native in Apache CouchDB and none in PouchDB.
  • Only Apache CouchDB has full-text search, materialized views, compression, role-based access, online schema changes.
  • Only PouchDB has in-memory.
  • PouchDB can run embedded in your application process.

choose apache-couchdb for

  • +Offline-first web and mobile apps with PouchDB
  • +Field data collection in low-connectivity environments
  • +Multi-site replication between edge locations and a central hub
  • +Document stores where HTTP-native access is valuable

best at · OLTP, Mobile/offline, Local-first

choose pouchdb for

  • +Offline-capable web apps with a CouchDB backend
  • +Field data collection that syncs when back online
  • +Electron desktop apps needing replication

best at · Local-first, Mobile/offline, Embedded

Apache CouchDBHTTP/JSON document database built around multi-master replication and offline-first sync.
PouchDBJavaScript database for browsers and Node that speaks the CouchDB replication protocol.
overview
Primary model
Document
Document
Also supports
Search Engine
–
Type
Database engine
Embedded library
Status
Active
Active
Developer
Apache Software Foundation
Apache Software Foundation (PouchDB community)
First release
2005
2012
Latest version
3.5.3 (Oct 12, 2026)
9.0.0 (Jun 21, 2024)
License
Open source (permissive)Apache License 2.0
Open source (permissive)Apache License 2.0
Free tier
✓
✓
popularity
WhichDB Score
43.6
23.2
Rank
#41
#130
GitHub stars
7K
17.6K
Stack Overflow questions
6.1K
1.5K
scale & guarantees
Comfortable data size
Medium (≤ 10 TB)
Small (≤ 100 GB)
Horizontal scaling
Native
None
Multi-region
Active active
None
ACID
Limited
Limited
Consistency
Eventual
Eventual
Schema
Schemaless
Schemaless
Architecture
Distributed, Multi primary, Client server
Embedded
deployment
Self-hosted
✓
✓
Vendor-managed cloud
—
—
Serverless
—
—
Embedded
—
✓
Edge
—
—
Clouds
–
–
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
Mango (JSON query), JavaScript MapReduce views, Lucene query syntax (Nouveau)
Mango (CouchDB find), MapReduce views
Client languages
JavaScript, Python, Java, C#, Go, PHP, Ruby
JavaScript
Best for
OLTP, Mobile/offline, Local-first, Edge
Local-first, Mobile/offline, Embedded
Add more to this comparisonNot sure either fits? Try smart match

Apache CouchDB vs PouchDB: FAQ

What is the difference between Apache CouchDB and PouchDB?

Apache CouchDB: HTTP/JSON document database built around multi-master replication and offline-first sync. PouchDB: JavaScript database for browsers and Node that speaks the CouchDB replication protocol. Apache CouchDB is built for larger datasets (≤ 10 TB) than PouchDB (≤ 100 GB). Horizontal scaling is native in Apache CouchDB and none in PouchDB. Only Apache CouchDB has full-text search, materialized views, compression, role-based access, online schema changes.

When should I choose Apache CouchDB over PouchDB?

Choose Apache CouchDB for offline-first web and mobile apps with PouchDB; field data collection in low-connectivity environments; and multi-site replication between edge locations and a central hub. Choose PouchDB for offline-capable web apps with a CouchDB backend, field data collection that syncs when back online and electron desktop apps needing replication.

Is Apache CouchDB or PouchDB more popular?

Apache CouchDB ranks #41 on the WhichDB Score (43.6/100) and PouchDB ranks #130 (23.2/100). Popularity is not fit: check the requirements that matter for your project.

Are Apache CouchDB and PouchDB open source?

Yes. Apache CouchDB is open source. License: Apache License 2.0. Yes. PouchDB is open source. License: Apache License 2.0.