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Apache HugeGraph vs JanusGraph

Apache HugeGraph: Apache graph database from Baidu with Gremlin and Cypher, pluggable backends and a distributed store. JanusGraph: Open-source distributed graph database layered on Cassandra, HBase, ScyllaDB or Bigtable.

key differences

  • Only Apache HugeGraph has compression, role-based access.
  • Only JanusGraph has transactions, geospatial, online schema changes.

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 janusgraph for

  • +Large-scale graphs on existing Cassandra or ScyllaDB clusters
  • +Telecom and network inventory graphs
  • +Security and identity graphs
  • +Open-source alternative to managed Gremlin services

best at · Traversal, Graph analytics, Knowledge graph

Apache HugeGraphApache graph database from Baidu with Gremlin and Cypher, pluggable backends and a distributed store.
JanusGraphOpen-source distributed graph database layered on Cassandra, HBase, ScyllaDB or Bigtable.
overview
Primary model
Graph
Graph
Also supports
–
–
Type
Database engine
Database engine
Status
Active
Active
Developer
Apache Software Foundation
JanusGraph community (LF AI & Data Foundation)
First release
2018
2017
Latest version
1.7.0 (Nov 16, 2025)
1.1.0 (Nov 9, 2024)
License
Open source (permissive)Apache License 2.0
Open source (permissive)Apache License 2.0 (code), CC-BY-4.0 (docs)
Free tier
✓
✓
popularity
WhichDB Score
9.3
25.2
Rank
#314
#120
GitHub stars
3.2K
5.9K
Stack Overflow questions
–
895
scale & guarantees
Comfortable data size
Large (≤ 1 PB)
Large (≤ 1 PB)
Horizontal scaling
Native
Native
Multi-region
None
Active active
ACID
Limited
Limited
Consistency
Strong
Tunable, Eventual
Schema
Strict
Flexible
Architecture
Single node, Distributed, Client server
Distributed, 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
Gremlin, openCypher
Gremlin
Client languages
Java, Python, Go
Java, Python, JavaScript, .NET, Go
Best for
Traversal, Graph analytics, Knowledge graph, RAG
Traversal, Graph analytics, Knowledge graph
Add more to this comparisonNot sure either fits? Try smart match

Apache HugeGraph vs JanusGraph: FAQ

What is the difference between Apache HugeGraph and JanusGraph?

Apache HugeGraph: Apache graph database from Baidu with Gremlin and Cypher, pluggable backends and a distributed store. JanusGraph: Open-source distributed graph database layered on Cassandra, HBase, ScyllaDB or Bigtable. Only Apache HugeGraph has compression, role-based access. Only JanusGraph has transactions, geospatial, online schema changes.

When should I choose Apache HugeGraph over JanusGraph?

Choose Apache HugeGraph for large knowledge graphs; risk control and anti-fraud; and social relationship analysis. Choose JanusGraph for large-scale graphs on existing Cassandra or ScyllaDB clusters; telecom and network inventory graphs; and security and identity graphs.

Is Apache HugeGraph or JanusGraph more popular?

JanusGraph ranks #120 on the WhichDB Score (25.2/100) and Apache HugeGraph ranks #314 (9.3/100). Popularity is not fit: check the requirements that matter for your project.

Are Apache HugeGraph and JanusGraph open source?

Yes. Apache HugeGraph is open source. License: Apache License 2.0. Yes. JanusGraph is open source. License: Apache License 2.0 (code), CC-BY-4.0 (docs).