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Apache TinkerPop Gremlin Server vs Bitsy

Apache TinkerPop Gremlin Server: Apache TinkerPop's reference server for running Gremlin traversals over any compatible graph. Bitsy: Small embeddable Java graph database for TinkerPop: in-memory, ACID, persisted to readable JSON text files.

key differences

  • Transactions: Apache TinkerPop Gremlin Server offers none ACID; Bitsy offers full.
  • Only Apache TinkerPop Gremlin Server has geospatial.
  • Only Bitsy has transactions, durable persistence.

choose apache-tinkerpop-gremlin-server for

  • +Local testing for Neptune or JanusGraph apps
  • +Prototyping Gremlin traversals
  • +Hosting a custom TinkerPop graph provider
  • +Teaching graph traversal concepts

best at · Traversal, Graph analytics

choose bitsy for

  • +Embedded graph storage in desktop or server Java applications
  • +Unit and integration tests for TinkerPop-based code
  • +Small to medium OLTP graphs that need durability without a server

best at · Traversal, Embedded, OLTP

Apache TinkerPop Gremlin ServerApache TinkerPop's reference server for running Gremlin traversals over any compatible graph.
BitsySmall embeddable Java graph database for TinkerPop: in-memory, ACID, persisted to readable JSON text files.
overview
Primary model
Graph
Graph
Also supports
–
–
Type
Database engine
Embedded library
Status
Active
Active
Developer
Apache Software Foundation
LambdaZen
First release
2015
2013
Latest version
3.8.2 (Sep 1, 2026)
3.6.6 (Jun 4, 2026)
License
Open source (permissive)Apache License 2.0
Open source (permissive)Apache License 2.0
Free tier
✓
✓
popularity
WhichDB Score
32.1
1.4
Rank
#73
#549
GitHub stars
2.2K
151
Stack Overflow questions
531
–
scale & guarantees
Comfortable data size
Small (≤ 100 GB)
Small (≤ 100 GB)
Horizontal scaling
None
None
Multi-region
None
None
ACID
None
Full
Consistency
Strong
Strong
Schema
Schemaless
Schemaless
Architecture
In memory, Client server, Single node
Embedded, 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
Gremlin
Gremlin
Client languages
Java, Python, JavaScript, .NET, Go
Java
Best for
Traversal, Graph analytics
Traversal, Embedded, OLTP
Add more to this comparisonNot sure either fits? Try smart match

Apache TinkerPop Gremlin Server vs Bitsy: FAQ

What is the difference between Apache TinkerPop Gremlin Server and Bitsy?

Apache TinkerPop Gremlin Server: Apache TinkerPop's reference server for running Gremlin traversals over any compatible graph. Bitsy: Small embeddable Java graph database for TinkerPop: in-memory, ACID, persisted to readable JSON text files. Transactions: Apache TinkerPop Gremlin Server offers none ACID; Bitsy offers full. Only Apache TinkerPop Gremlin Server has geospatial. Only Bitsy has transactions, durable persistence.

When should I choose Apache TinkerPop Gremlin Server over Bitsy?

Choose Apache TinkerPop Gremlin Server for local testing for Neptune or JanusGraph apps, prototyping Gremlin traversals and hosting a custom TinkerPop graph provider. Choose Bitsy for embedded graph storage in desktop or server Java applications; unit and integration tests for TinkerPop-based code; and small to medium OLTP graphs that need durability without a server.

Is Apache TinkerPop Gremlin Server or Bitsy more popular?

Apache TinkerPop Gremlin Server ranks #73 on the WhichDB Score (32.1/100) and Bitsy ranks #549 (1.4/100). Popularity is not fit: check the requirements that matter for your project.

Are Apache TinkerPop Gremlin Server and Bitsy open source?

Yes. Apache TinkerPop Gremlin Server is open source. License: Apache License 2.0. Yes. Bitsy is open source. License: Apache License 2.0.