vs

Bitsy vs JanusGraph

Bitsy: Small embeddable Java graph database for TinkerPop: in-memory, ACID, persisted to readable JSON text files. JanusGraph: Open-source distributed graph database layered on Cassandra, HBase, ScyllaDB or Bigtable.

key differences

  • JanusGraph is built for larger datasets (≤ 1 PB) than Bitsy (≤ 100 GB).
  • Horizontal scaling is none in Bitsy and native in JanusGraph.
  • Transactions: Bitsy offers full ACID; JanusGraph offers limited.
  • Only Bitsy has in-memory.
  • Only JanusGraph has secondary indexes, full-text search, geospatial, ttl / expiry, online schema changes.
  • Bitsy can run embedded in your application process.

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

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

overview
Primary model
Graph
Graph
Also supports
–
–
Type
Embedded library
Database engine
Status
Active
Active
Developer
LambdaZen
JanusGraph community (LF AI & Data Foundation)
First release
2013
2017
Latest version
3.6.6 (Jun 4, 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
1.4
25.2
Rank
#549
#120
GitHub stars
151
5.9K
Stack Overflow questions
–
895
scale & guarantees
Comfortable data size
Small (≤ 100 GB)
Large (≤ 1 PB)
Horizontal scaling
None
Native
Multi-region
None
Active active
ACID
Full
Limited
Consistency
Strong
Tunable, Eventual
Schema
Schemaless
Flexible
Architecture
Embedded, In memory
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
Java, Python, JavaScript, .NET, Go
Best for
Traversal, Embedded, OLTP
Traversal, Graph analytics, Knowledge graph

Bitsy vs JanusGraph: FAQ

What is the difference between Bitsy and JanusGraph?

Bitsy: Small embeddable Java graph database for TinkerPop: in-memory, ACID, persisted to readable JSON text files. JanusGraph: Open-source distributed graph database layered on Cassandra, HBase, ScyllaDB or Bigtable. JanusGraph is built for larger datasets (≤ 1 PB) than Bitsy (≤ 100 GB). Horizontal scaling is none in Bitsy and native in JanusGraph. Transactions: Bitsy offers full ACID; JanusGraph offers limited.

When should I choose Bitsy over JanusGraph?

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. Choose JanusGraph for large-scale graphs on existing Cassandra or ScyllaDB clusters; telecom and network inventory graphs; and security and identity graphs.

Is Bitsy or JanusGraph more popular?

JanusGraph ranks #120 on the WhichDB Score (25.2/100) and Bitsy ranks #549 (1.4/100). Popularity is not fit: check the requirements that matter for your project.

Are Bitsy and JanusGraph open source?

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