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Apache Ignite vs GigaSpaces XAP

Apache Ignite: A distributed, memory-first SQL database and compute grid; Ignite 3 rebuilt it around Raft and Calcite. GigaSpaces XAP: GigaSpaces' Java in-memory data grid with space-based processing, SQL queries and tiered storage.

key differences

  • Apache Ignite is primarily a key-value database; GigaSpaces XAP is object.
  • Licensing: Apache Ignite is open source (permissive) (Apache License 2.0); GigaSpaces XAP is proprietary (Commercial).
  • Only Apache Ignite has joins, change data capture, stored procedures, compression, encryption at rest.
  • Only GigaSpaces XAP has pub/sub.
  • 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 xap for

  • +Low-latency trading and risk calculations
  • +Digital integration hub in front of mainframe or legacy systems
  • +Large-scale caching with co-located processing

best at · Cache, OLTP, Real-time analytics

Apache IgniteA distributed, memory-first SQL database and compute grid; Ignite 3 rebuilt it around Raft and Calcite.
GigaSpaces XAPGigaSpaces' Java in-memory data grid with space-based processing, SQL queries and tiered storage.
overview
Primary model
Key-Value
Object
Also supports
Relational
Document, Key-Value
Type
Database engine
Database engine
Status
Active
Active
Developer
Apache Software Foundation
GigaSpaces Technologies
First release
2015
2007
Latest version
3.1.0 (Oct 29, 2025)
–
License
Open source (permissive)Apache License 2.0
ProprietaryCommercial
Free tier
✓
—
popularity
WhichDB Score
28.3
4.4
Rank
#98
#405
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
Full
Consistency
Strong
Strong
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
SQL (space queries), Java API
Client languages
Java, C#, C++, Python, JavaScript
Java
Best for
Cache, OLTP, HTAP, Real-time analytics
Cache, OLTP, Real-time analytics
Add more to this comparisonNot sure either fits? Try smart match

Apache Ignite vs GigaSpaces XAP: FAQ

What is the difference between Apache Ignite and GigaSpaces XAP?

Apache Ignite: A distributed, memory-first SQL database and compute grid; Ignite 3 rebuilt it around Raft and Calcite. GigaSpaces XAP: GigaSpaces' Java in-memory data grid with space-based processing, SQL queries and tiered storage. Apache Ignite is primarily a key-value database; GigaSpaces XAP is object. Licensing: Apache Ignite is open source (permissive) (Apache License 2.0); GigaSpaces XAP is proprietary (Commercial). Only Apache Ignite has joins, change data capture, stored procedures, compression, encryption at rest.

When should I choose Apache Ignite over GigaSpaces XAP?

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 GigaSpaces XAP for low-latency trading and risk calculations; digital integration hub in front of mainframe or legacy systems; and large-scale caching with co-located processing.

Is Apache Ignite or GigaSpaces XAP more popular?

Apache Ignite ranks #98 on the WhichDB Score (28.3/100) and GigaSpaces XAP ranks #405 (4.4/100). Popularity is not fit: check the requirements that matter for your project.

Are Apache Ignite and GigaSpaces XAP open source?

Yes. Apache Ignite is open source. License: Apache License 2.0. No. GigaSpaces XAP is proprietary, closed-source software. License: Commercial.