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Apache Ignite vs Hazelcast

Apache Ignite: A distributed, memory-first SQL database and compute grid; Ignite 3 rebuilt it around Raft and Calcite. Hazelcast: A Java in-memory data grid and stream processor that embeds in your app or runs as a cluster.

key differences

  • Apache Ignite is built for larger datasets (≤ 1 PB) than Hazelcast (≤ 10 TB).
  • Transactions: Apache Ignite offers full ACID; Hazelcast offers limited.
  • Only Apache Ignite has encryption at rest, role-based access, online schema changes.
  • Only Hazelcast has vector search, json, pub/sub.

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 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 IgniteA distributed, memory-first SQL database and compute grid; Ignite 3 rebuilt it around Raft and Calcite.
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
Relational
Document, Vector
Type
Database engine
Database engine
Status
Active
Active
Developer
Apache Software Foundation
Hazelcast, Inc.
First release
2015
2008
Latest version
3.1.0 (Oct 29, 2025)
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
28.3
33.5
Rank
#98
#63
GitHub stars
5.1K
6.6K
Stack Overflow questions
3.1K
2.9K
scale & guarantees
Comfortable data size
Large (≤ 1 PB)
Medium (≤ 10 TB)
Horizontal scaling
Native
Native
Multi-region
None
Active active
ACID
Full
Limited
Consistency
Strong
Eventual, Strong
Schema
Strict
Flexible
Architecture
In memory, Distributed, Embedded, Client server
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
SQL, Key-value API
SQL, Predicate API, Jet Pipeline API
Client languages
Java, C#, C++, Python, JavaScript
Java, C#, C++, Python, JavaScript, Go
Best for
Cache, OLTP, HTAP, Real-time analytics
Cache, Sessions, Streaming, Real-time analytics
Add more to this comparisonNot sure either fits? Try smart match

Apache Ignite vs Hazelcast: FAQ

What is the difference between Apache Ignite and Hazelcast?

Apache Ignite: A distributed, memory-first SQL database and compute grid; Ignite 3 rebuilt it around Raft and Calcite. Hazelcast: A Java in-memory data grid and stream processor that embeds in your app or runs as a cluster. Apache Ignite is built for larger datasets (≤ 1 PB) than Hazelcast (≤ 10 TB). Transactions: Apache Ignite offers full ACID; Hazelcast offers limited. Only Apache Ignite has encryption at rest, role-based access, online schema changes.

When should I choose Apache Ignite over Hazelcast?

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 Hazelcast for shared low-latency state for microservices; fraud detection and payment stream processing; and web session clustering for Java app servers.

Is Apache Ignite or Hazelcast more popular?

Hazelcast ranks #63 on the WhichDB Score (33.5/100) and Apache Ignite ranks #98 (28.3/100). Popularity is not fit: check the requirements that matter for your project.

Are Apache Ignite and Hazelcast open source?

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