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Apache HugeGraph vs Apache TinkerPop Gremlin Server

Apache HugeGraph: Apache graph database from Baidu with Gremlin and Cypher, pluggable backends and a distributed store. Apache TinkerPop Gremlin Server: Apache TinkerPop's reference server for running Gremlin traversals over any compatible graph.

key differences

  • Apache HugeGraph is built for larger datasets (≤ 1 PB) than Apache TinkerPop Gremlin Server (≤ 100 GB).
  • Horizontal scaling is native in Apache HugeGraph and none in Apache TinkerPop Gremlin Server.
  • Transactions: Apache HugeGraph offers limited ACID; Apache TinkerPop Gremlin Server offers none.
  • Only Apache HugeGraph has secondary indexes, full-text search, ttl / expiry, durable persistence, compression.
  • Only Apache TinkerPop Gremlin Server has geospatial, in-memory.
  • Apache TinkerPop Gremlin Server can run embedded in your application process.

choose apache-hugegraph for

  • +Large knowledge graphs
  • +Risk control and anti-fraud
  • +Social relationship analysis
  • +GraphRAG pipelines

best at · Traversal, Graph analytics, Knowledge graph

choose apache-tinkerpop-gremlin-server for

  • +Local testing for Neptune or JanusGraph apps
  • +Prototyping Gremlin traversals
  • +Hosting a custom TinkerPop graph provider
  • +Teaching graph traversal concepts

best at · Traversal, Graph analytics

Apache HugeGraphApache graph database from Baidu with Gremlin and Cypher, pluggable backends and a distributed store.
Apache TinkerPop Gremlin ServerApache TinkerPop's reference server for running Gremlin traversals over any compatible graph.
overview
Primary model
Graph
Graph
Also supports
–
–
Type
Database engine
Database engine
Status
Active
Active
Developer
Apache Software Foundation
Apache Software Foundation
First release
2018
2015
Latest version
1.7.0 (Nov 16, 2025)
3.8.2 (Sep 1, 2026)
License
Open source (permissive)Apache License 2.0
Open source (permissive)Apache License 2.0
Free tier
✓
✓
popularity
WhichDB Score
9.3
32.1
Rank
#314
#73
GitHub stars
3.2K
2.2K
Stack Overflow questions
–
531
scale & guarantees
Comfortable data size
Large (≤ 1 PB)
Small (≤ 100 GB)
Horizontal scaling
Native
None
Multi-region
None
None
ACID
Limited
None
Consistency
Strong
Strong
Schema
Strict
Schemaless
Architecture
Single node, Distributed, Client server
In memory, Client server, Single node
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
Gremlin, openCypher
Gremlin
Client languages
Java, Python, Go
Java, Python, JavaScript, .NET, Go
Best for
Traversal, Graph analytics, Knowledge graph, RAG
Traversal, Graph analytics
Add more to this comparisonNot sure either fits? Try smart match

Apache HugeGraph vs Apache TinkerPop Gremlin Server: FAQ

What is the difference between Apache HugeGraph and Apache TinkerPop Gremlin Server?

Apache HugeGraph: Apache graph database from Baidu with Gremlin and Cypher, pluggable backends and a distributed store. Apache TinkerPop Gremlin Server: Apache TinkerPop's reference server for running Gremlin traversals over any compatible graph. Apache HugeGraph is built for larger datasets (≤ 1 PB) than Apache TinkerPop Gremlin Server (≤ 100 GB). Horizontal scaling is native in Apache HugeGraph and none in Apache TinkerPop Gremlin Server. Transactions: Apache HugeGraph offers limited ACID; Apache TinkerPop Gremlin Server offers none.

When should I choose Apache HugeGraph over Apache TinkerPop Gremlin Server?

Choose Apache HugeGraph for large knowledge graphs; risk control and anti-fraud; and social relationship analysis. Choose Apache TinkerPop Gremlin Server for local testing for Neptune or JanusGraph apps, prototyping Gremlin traversals and hosting a custom TinkerPop graph provider.

Is Apache HugeGraph or Apache TinkerPop Gremlin Server more popular?

Apache TinkerPop Gremlin Server ranks #73 on the WhichDB Score (32.1/100) and Apache HugeGraph ranks #314 (9.3/100). Popularity is not fit: check the requirements that matter for your project.

Are Apache HugeGraph and Apache TinkerPop Gremlin Server open source?

Yes. Apache HugeGraph is open source. License: Apache License 2.0. Yes. Apache TinkerPop Gremlin Server is open source. License: Apache License 2.0.