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Apache TinkerPop Gremlin Server vs JanusGraph

Apache TinkerPop Gremlin Server: Apache TinkerPop's reference server for running Gremlin traversals over any compatible graph. JanusGraph: Open-source distributed graph database layered on Cassandra, HBase, ScyllaDB or Bigtable.

key differences

  • JanusGraph is built for larger datasets (≤ 1 PB) than Apache TinkerPop Gremlin Server (≤ 100 GB).
  • Horizontal scaling is none in Apache TinkerPop Gremlin Server and native in JanusGraph.
  • Transactions: Apache TinkerPop Gremlin Server offers none ACID; JanusGraph offers limited.
  • Only Apache TinkerPop Gremlin Server has in-memory.
  • Only JanusGraph has transactions, secondary indexes, full-text search, ttl / expiry, durable persistence.
  • Apache TinkerPop Gremlin Server can run embedded in your application process.

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 janusgraph for

  • +Large-scale graphs on existing Cassandra or ScyllaDB clusters
  • +Telecom and network inventory graphs
  • +Security and identity graphs
  • +Open-source alternative to managed Gremlin services

best at · Traversal, Graph analytics, Knowledge graph

Apache TinkerPop Gremlin ServerApache TinkerPop's reference server for running Gremlin traversals over any compatible graph.
JanusGraphOpen-source distributed graph database layered on Cassandra, HBase, ScyllaDB or Bigtable.
overview
Primary model
Graph
Graph
Also supports
–
–
Type
Database engine
Database engine
Status
Active
Active
Developer
Apache Software Foundation
JanusGraph community (LF AI & Data Foundation)
First release
2015
2017
Latest version
3.8.2 (Sep 1, 2026)
1.1.0 (Nov 9, 2024)
License
Open source (permissive)Apache License 2.0
Open source (permissive)Apache License 2.0 (code), CC-BY-4.0 (docs)
Free tier
✓
✓
popularity
WhichDB Score
32.1
25.2
Rank
#73
#120
GitHub stars
2.2K
5.9K
Stack Overflow questions
531
895
scale & guarantees
Comfortable data size
Small (≤ 100 GB)
Large (≤ 1 PB)
Horizontal scaling
None
Native
Multi-region
None
Active active
ACID
None
Limited
Consistency
Strong
Tunable, Eventual
Schema
Schemaless
Flexible
Architecture
In memory, Client server, Single node
Distributed, Client server, Embedded
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, Python, JavaScript, .NET, Go
Best for
Traversal, Graph analytics
Traversal, Graph analytics, Knowledge graph
Add more to this comparisonNot sure either fits? Try smart match

Apache TinkerPop Gremlin Server vs JanusGraph: FAQ

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

Apache TinkerPop Gremlin Server: Apache TinkerPop's reference server for running Gremlin traversals over any compatible graph. JanusGraph: Open-source distributed graph database layered on Cassandra, HBase, ScyllaDB or Bigtable. JanusGraph is built for larger datasets (≤ 1 PB) than Apache TinkerPop Gremlin Server (≤ 100 GB). Horizontal scaling is none in Apache TinkerPop Gremlin Server and native in JanusGraph. Transactions: Apache TinkerPop Gremlin Server offers none ACID; JanusGraph offers limited.

When should I choose Apache TinkerPop Gremlin Server over JanusGraph?

Choose Apache TinkerPop Gremlin Server for local testing for Neptune or JanusGraph apps, prototyping Gremlin traversals and hosting a custom TinkerPop graph provider. Choose JanusGraph for large-scale graphs on existing Cassandra or ScyllaDB clusters; telecom and network inventory graphs; and security and identity graphs.

Is Apache TinkerPop Gremlin Server or JanusGraph more popular?

Apache TinkerPop Gremlin Server ranks #73 on the WhichDB Score (32.1/100) and JanusGraph ranks #120 (25.2/100). Popularity is not fit: check the requirements that matter for your project.

Are Apache TinkerPop Gremlin Server and JanusGraph open source?

Yes. Apache TinkerPop Gremlin Server is open source. License: Apache License 2.0. Yes. JanusGraph is open source. License: Apache License 2.0 (code), CC-BY-4.0 (docs).