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Apache Ignite vs WebSphere eXtreme Scale

Apache Ignite: A distributed, memory-first SQL database and compute grid; Ignite 3 rebuilt it around Raft and Calcite. WebSphere eXtreme Scale: IBM's Java in-memory data grid for caching, HTTP sessions and partitioned object storage; still patched.

key differences

  • Licensing: Apache Ignite is open source (permissive) (Apache License 2.0); WebSphere eXtreme Scale is proprietary (IBM International Program License Agreement).
  • Transactions: Apache Ignite offers full ACID; WebSphere eXtreme Scale offers limited.
  • Only Apache Ignite has joins, change data capture, stored procedures, durable persistence, compression.
  • 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 websphere-extreme-scale for

  • +HTTP session replication for WebSphere/Liberty clusters
  • +Caching in front of DB2 or Oracle for high-traffic Java apps
  • +Partitioned in-memory object storage for transaction processing

best at · Cache, Sessions, OLTP

Apache IgniteA distributed, memory-first SQL database and compute grid; Ignite 3 rebuilt it around Raft and Calcite.
WebSphere eXtreme ScaleIBM's Java in-memory data grid for caching, HTTP sessions and partitioned object storage; still patched.
overview
Primary model
Key-Value
Key-Value
Also supports
Relational
Object
Type
Database engine
Database engine
Status
Active
Active
Developer
Apache Software Foundation
IBM
First release
2015
2009
Latest version
3.1.0 (Oct 29, 2025)
8.6.2.2 (Jun 30, 2026)
License
Open source (permissive)Apache License 2.0
ProprietaryIBM International Program License Agreement
Free tier
✓
—
popularity
WhichDB Score
28.3
0.0
Rank
#98
#840
GitHub stars
5.1K
–
Stack Overflow questions
3.1K
–
scale & guarantees
Comfortable data size
Large (≤ 1 PB)
Large (≤ 1 PB)
Horizontal scaling
Native
Native
Multi-region
None
None
ACID
Full
Limited
Consistency
Strong
Strong, Eventual
Schema
Strict
Flexible
Architecture
In memory, Distributed, Embedded, Client server
Distributed, In memory
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
SQL, Key-value API
ObjectGrid API, ObjectQuery
Client languages
Java, C#, C++, Python, JavaScript
Java
Best for
Cache, OLTP, HTAP, Real-time analytics
Cache, Sessions, OLTP
Add more to this comparisonNot sure either fits? Try smart match

Apache Ignite vs WebSphere eXtreme Scale: FAQ

What is the difference between Apache Ignite and WebSphere eXtreme Scale?

Apache Ignite: A distributed, memory-first SQL database and compute grid; Ignite 3 rebuilt it around Raft and Calcite. WebSphere eXtreme Scale: IBM's Java in-memory data grid for caching, HTTP sessions and partitioned object storage; still patched. Licensing: Apache Ignite is open source (permissive) (Apache License 2.0); WebSphere eXtreme Scale is proprietary (IBM International Program License Agreement). Transactions: Apache Ignite offers full ACID; WebSphere eXtreme Scale offers limited. Only Apache Ignite has joins, change data capture, stored procedures, durable persistence, compression.

When should I choose Apache Ignite over WebSphere eXtreme Scale?

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 WebSphere eXtreme Scale for HTTP session replication for WebSphere/Liberty clusters, caching in front of DB2 or Oracle for high-traffic Java apps and partitioned in-memory object storage for transaction processing.

Is Apache Ignite or WebSphere eXtreme Scale more popular?

Apache Ignite ranks #98 on the WhichDB Score (28.3/100) and WebSphere eXtreme Scale ranks #840 (0.0/100). Popularity is not fit: check the requirements that matter for your project.

Are Apache Ignite and WebSphere eXtreme Scale open source?

Yes. Apache Ignite is open source. License: Apache License 2.0. No. WebSphere eXtreme Scale is proprietary, closed-source software. License: IBM International Program License Agreement.