whichdb
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Apache Geode vs Hazelcast

Apache Geode: The open-source core of GemFire: a consistent, partitioned in-memory data grid for Java. Hazelcast: A Java in-memory data grid and stream processor that embeds in your app or runs as a cluster.

key differences

  • Only Apache Geode has role-based access.
  • Only Hazelcast has joins, vector search, json, change data capture, compression.

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 hazelcast for

  • +Shared low-latency state for microservices
  • +Fraud detection and payment stream processing
  • +Web session clustering for Java app servers
  • +Distributed caching in front of RDBMS

best at · Cache, Sessions, Streaming

Apache GeodeThe open-source core of GemFire: a consistent, partitioned in-memory data grid for Java.
HazelcastA Java in-memory data grid and stream processor that embeds in your app or runs as a cluster.
overview
Primary model
Key-Value
Key-Value
Also supports
Object
Document, Vector
Type
Database engine
Database engine
Status
Active
Active
Developer
Apache Software Foundation
Hazelcast, Inc.
First release
2016
2008
Latest version
2.0.3 (Sep 19, 2026)
5.7.0 (May 12, 2026)
License
Open source (permissive)Apache License 2.0
Open source (permissive)Apache 2.0 (Community); Hazelcast Community License for some modules
Free tier
✓
✓
popularity
WhichDB Score
11.7
33.5
Rank
#279
#63
GitHub stars
2.4K
6.6K
Stack Overflow questions
322
2.9K
scale & guarantees
Comfortable data size
Medium (≤ 10 TB)
Medium (≤ 10 TB)
Horizontal scaling
Native
Native
Multi-region
Active active
Active active
ACID
Limited
Limited
Consistency
Strong
Eventual, Strong
Schema
Flexible
Flexible
Architecture
In memory, Distributed, Client server, Embedded
In memory, Distributed, Embedded, Client server
deployment
Self-hosted
✓
✓
Vendor-managed cloud
—
—
Serverless
—
—
Embedded
✓
✓
Edge
—
—
Clouds
–
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
OQL
SQL, Predicate API, Jet Pipeline API
Client languages
Java, C++, C#
Java, C#, C++, Python, JavaScript, Go
Best for
Cache, Sessions, OLTP, Real-time analytics
Cache, Sessions, Streaming, Real-time analytics
Add more to this comparisonNot sure either fits? Try smart match

Apache Geode vs Hazelcast: FAQ

What is the difference between Apache Geode and Hazelcast?

Apache Geode: The open-source core of GemFire: a consistent, partitioned in-memory data grid for Java. Hazelcast: A Java in-memory data grid and stream processor that embeds in your app or runs as a cluster. Only Apache Geode has role-based access. Only Hazelcast has joins, vector search, json, change data capture, compression.

When should I choose Apache Geode over Hazelcast?

Choose Apache Geode for low-latency, consistent caches for Java systems; open-source alternative to commercial GemFire; and event notification via continuous queries. Choose Hazelcast for shared low-latency state for microservices; fraud detection and payment stream processing; and web session clustering for Java app servers.

Is Apache Geode or Hazelcast more popular?

Hazelcast ranks #63 on the WhichDB Score (33.5/100) and Apache Geode ranks #279 (11.7/100). Popularity is not fit: check the requirements that matter for your project.

Are Apache Geode and Hazelcast open source?

Yes. Apache Geode is open source. License: Apache License 2.0. Yes. Hazelcast is open source. License: Apache 2.0 (Community); Hazelcast Community License for some modules.