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Apache Geode vs Apache Ignite

Apache Geode: The open-source core of GemFire: a consistent, partitioned in-memory data grid for Java. Apache Ignite: A distributed, memory-first SQL database and compute grid; Ignite 3 rebuilt it around Raft and Calcite.

key differences

  • Apache Ignite is built for larger datasets (≤ 1 PB) than Apache Geode (≤ 10 TB).
  • Transactions: Apache Geode offers limited ACID; Apache Ignite offers full.
  • Only Apache Geode has pub/sub.
  • Only Apache Ignite has joins, change data capture, compression, encryption at rest, online schema changes.

choose apache-geode for

  • +Low-latency, consistent caches for Java systems
  • +Open-source alternative to commercial GemFire
  • +Event notification via continuous queries

best at · Cache, Sessions, OLTP

choose apache-ignite for

  • +Accelerating legacy RDBMS with an in-memory SQL cache layer
  • +Real-time risk and pricing calculations
  • +Distributed caching with SQL queries over cached data
  • +HTAP workloads on a sharded JVM cluster

best at · Cache, OLTP, HTAP

Apache GeodeThe open-source core of GemFire: a consistent, partitioned in-memory data grid for Java.
Apache IgniteA distributed, memory-first SQL database and compute grid; Ignite 3 rebuilt it around Raft and Calcite.
overview
Primary model
Key-Value
Key-Value
Also supports
Object
Relational
Type
Database engine
Database engine
Status
Active
Active
Developer
Apache Software Foundation
Apache Software Foundation
First release
2016
2015
Latest version
2.0.3 (Sep 19, 2026)
3.1.0 (Oct 29, 2025)
License
Open source (permissive)Apache License 2.0
Open source (permissive)Apache License 2.0
Free tier
✓
✓
popularity
WhichDB Score
11.7
28.3
Rank
#279
#98
GitHub stars
2.4K
5.1K
Stack Overflow questions
322
3.1K
scale & guarantees
Comfortable data size
Medium (≤ 10 TB)
Large (≤ 1 PB)
Horizontal scaling
Native
Native
Multi-region
Active active
None
ACID
Limited
Full
Consistency
Strong
Strong
Schema
Flexible
Strict
Architecture
In memory, Distributed, Client server, Embedded
In memory, Distributed, Embedded, Client server
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
OQL
SQL, Key-value API
Client languages
Java, C++, C#
Java, C#, C++, Python, JavaScript
Best for
Cache, Sessions, OLTP, Real-time analytics
Cache, OLTP, HTAP, Real-time analytics
Add more to this comparisonNot sure either fits? Try smart match

Apache Geode vs Apache Ignite: FAQ

What is the difference between Apache Geode and Apache Ignite?

Apache Geode: The open-source core of GemFire: a consistent, partitioned in-memory data grid for Java. Apache Ignite: A distributed, memory-first SQL database and compute grid; Ignite 3 rebuilt it around Raft and Calcite. Apache Ignite is built for larger datasets (≤ 1 PB) than Apache Geode (≤ 10 TB). Transactions: Apache Geode offers limited ACID; Apache Ignite offers full. Only Apache Geode has pub/sub.

When should I choose Apache Geode over Apache Ignite?

Choose Apache Geode for low-latency, consistent caches for Java systems; open-source alternative to commercial GemFire; and event notification via continuous queries. Choose Apache Ignite for accelerating legacy RDBMS with an in-memory SQL cache layer; real-time risk and pricing calculations; and distributed caching with SQL queries over cached data.

Is Apache Geode or Apache Ignite more popular?

Apache Ignite ranks #98 on the WhichDB Score (28.3/100) and Apache Geode ranks #279 (11.7/100). Popularity is not fit: check the requirements that matter for your project.

Are Apache Geode and Apache Ignite open source?

Yes. Apache Geode is open source. License: Apache License 2.0. Yes. Apache Ignite is open source. License: Apache License 2.0.