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Apache Ignite vs GridGain

Apache Ignite: A distributed, memory-first SQL database and compute grid; Ignite 3 rebuilt it around Raft and Calcite. GridGain: The commercial, enterprise-hardened distribution of Apache Ignite for low-latency SQL and compute.

key differences

  • Apache Ignite is primarily a key-value database; GridGain is relational.
  • Licensing: Apache Ignite is open source (permissive) (Apache License 2.0); GridGain is proprietary (GridGain commercial license).
  • Only GridGain has columnar storage.
  • Apache Ignite can run embedded in your application process.

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

choose gridgain for

  • +Low-latency trading and risk systems
  • +Digital integration hubs in front of mainframes and legacy RDBMS
  • +Real-time feature computation for ML

best at · Cache, OLTP, HTAP

Apache IgniteA distributed, memory-first SQL database and compute grid; Ignite 3 rebuilt it around Raft and Calcite.
GridGainThe commercial, enterprise-hardened distribution of Apache Ignite for low-latency SQL and compute.
overview
Primary model
Key-Value
Relational
Also supports
Relational
Key-Value
Type
Database engine
Database engine
Status
Active
Active
Developer
Apache Software Foundation
GridGain Systems
First release
2015
2007
Latest version
3.1.0 (Oct 29, 2025)
9.1.28 (Oct 20, 2026)
License
Open source (permissive)Apache License 2.0
ProprietaryGridGain commercial license
Free tier
✓
—
popularity
WhichDB Score
28.3
7.8
Rank
#98
#335
GitHub stars
5.1K
–
Stack Overflow questions
3.1K
589
scale & guarantees
Comfortable data size
Large (≤ 1 PB)
Large (≤ 1 PB)
Horizontal scaling
Native
Native
Multi-region
None
Active active
ACID
Full
Full
Consistency
Strong
Strong
Schema
Strict
Strict
Architecture
In memory, Distributed, Embedded, Client server
In memory, Distributed, 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
SQL, Key-value API
SQL, Key-value API
Client languages
Java, C#, C++, Python, JavaScript
Java, C#, C++, Python
Best for
Cache, OLTP, HTAP, Real-time analytics
Cache, OLTP, HTAP, Real-time analytics
Add more to this comparisonNot sure either fits? Try smart match

Apache Ignite vs GridGain: FAQ

What is the difference between Apache Ignite and GridGain?

Apache Ignite: A distributed, memory-first SQL database and compute grid; Ignite 3 rebuilt it around Raft and Calcite. GridGain: The commercial, enterprise-hardened distribution of Apache Ignite for low-latency SQL and compute. Apache Ignite is primarily a key-value database; GridGain is relational. Licensing: Apache Ignite is open source (permissive) (Apache License 2.0); GridGain is proprietary (GridGain commercial license). Only GridGain has columnar storage.

When should I choose Apache Ignite over GridGain?

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. Choose GridGain for low-latency trading and risk systems; digital integration hubs in front of mainframes and legacy RDBMS; and real-time feature computation for ML.

Is Apache Ignite or GridGain more popular?

Apache Ignite ranks #98 on the WhichDB Score (28.3/100) and GridGain ranks #335 (7.8/100). Popularity is not fit: check the requirements that matter for your project.

Are Apache Ignite and GridGain open source?

Yes. Apache Ignite is open source. License: Apache License 2.0. No. GridGain is proprietary, closed-source software. License: GridGain commercial license.