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Apache HugeGraph vs NebulaGraph

Apache HugeGraph: Apache graph database from Baidu with Gremlin and Cypher, pluggable backends and a distributed store. NebulaGraph: Shared-nothing distributed graph database for trillion-edge graphs, with GQL in Enterprise v5.

key differences

  • Only NebulaGraph has 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 nebulagraph for

  • +Social and relationship graphs at internet scale
  • +Risk control and anti-fraud in finance
  • +Knowledge graphs for search and recommendation
  • +Device and account linkage graphs

best at · Traversal, Graph analytics, Knowledge graph

Apache HugeGraphApache graph database from Baidu with Gremlin and Cypher, pluggable backends and a distributed store.
NebulaGraphShared-nothing distributed graph database for trillion-edge graphs, with GQL in Enterprise v5.
overview
Primary model
Graph
Graph
Also supports
–
–
Type
Database engine
Database engine
Status
Active
Active
Developer
Apache Software Foundation
Vesoft Inc.
First release
2018
2019
Latest version
1.7.0 (Nov 16, 2025)
3.8.0 (May 17, 2024)
License
Open source (permissive)Apache License 2.0
Open source (permissive)Apache License 2.0 (open-source edition); Enterprise is commercial
Free tier
✓
✓
popularity
WhichDB Score
9.3
18.1
Rank
#314
#183
GitHub stars
3.2K
12.5K
Stack Overflow questions
–
119
scale & guarantees
Comfortable data size
Large (≤ 1 PB)
Large (≤ 1 PB)
Horizontal scaling
Native
Native
Multi-region
None
None
ACID
Limited
Limited
Consistency
Strong
Strong
Schema
Strict
Strict
Architecture
Single node, Distributed, Client server
Distributed, 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
Gremlin, openCypher
nGQL, openCypher (subset), GQL (Enterprise v5)
Client languages
Java, Python, Go
Java, Python, Go, C++, JavaScript (community)
Best for
Traversal, Graph analytics, Knowledge graph, RAG
Traversal, Graph analytics, Knowledge graph, OLTP
Add more to this comparisonNot sure either fits? Try smart match

Apache HugeGraph vs NebulaGraph: FAQ

What is the difference between Apache HugeGraph and NebulaGraph?

Apache HugeGraph: Apache graph database from Baidu with Gremlin and Cypher, pluggable backends and a distributed store. NebulaGraph: Shared-nothing distributed graph database for trillion-edge graphs, with GQL in Enterprise v5. Only NebulaGraph has online schema changes.

When should I choose Apache HugeGraph over NebulaGraph?

Choose Apache HugeGraph for large knowledge graphs; risk control and anti-fraud; and social relationship analysis. Choose NebulaGraph for social and relationship graphs at internet scale; risk control and anti-fraud in finance; and knowledge graphs for search and recommendation.

Is Apache HugeGraph or NebulaGraph more popular?

NebulaGraph ranks #183 on the WhichDB Score (18.1/100) and Apache HugeGraph ranks #314 (9.3/100). Popularity is not fit: check the requirements that matter for your project.

Are Apache HugeGraph and NebulaGraph open source?

Yes. Apache HugeGraph is open source. License: Apache License 2.0. Yes. NebulaGraph is open source. License: Apache License 2.0 (open-source edition); Enterprise is commercial.