whichdb
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H2 Database vs ObjectDB

H2 Database: Fast pure-Java SQL engine for embedded, in-memory and test databases, with compatibility modes. ObjectDB: Commercial object database for Java that implements JPA and JDO natively, with no ORM layer.

key differences

  • H2 Database is primarily a relational database; ObjectDB is object.
  • Licensing: H2 Database is open source (copyleft) (MPL 2.0 or EPL 1.0 (dual)); ObjectDB is proprietary (ObjectDB Licence (free edition with limits; commercial)).
  • Only H2 Database has full-text search, geospatial, json, triggers, stored procedures.

choose h2 for

  • +Integration tests for Spring/JPA applications
  • +Embedded storage in Java desktop tools
  • +Prototyping before choosing a production database
  • +In-memory scratch databases in batch jobs

best at · Embedded, OLTP, Coordination

choose objectdb for

  • +Java desktop applications with complex object models
  • +JPA-based apps that want to avoid Hibernate tuning
  • +Embedded storage in Java tools

best at · Embedded, OLTP

H2 DatabaseFast pure-Java SQL engine for embedded, in-memory and test databases, with compatibility modes.
ObjectDBCommercial object database for Java that implements JPA and JDO natively, with no ORM layer.
overview
Primary model
Relational
Object
Also supports
Spatial
–
Type
Database engine
Database engine
Status
Active
Active
Developer
H2 Group (Thomas Mueller, Evgenij Ryazanov and contributors)
ObjectDB Software
First release
2005
2003
Latest version
2.5.252 (Sep 24, 2026)
2.9.5 (Mar 2, 2026)
License
Open source (copyleft)MPL 2.0 or EPL 1.0 (dual)
ProprietaryObjectDB Licence (free edition with limits; commercial)
Free tier
✓
✓
popularity
WhichDB Score
23.5
9.3
Rank
#128
#315
GitHub stars
4.6K
–
Stack Overflow questions
5.1K
105
scale & guarantees
Comfortable data size
Small (≤ 100 GB)
Small (≤ 100 GB)
Horizontal scaling
None
None
Multi-region
None
None
ACID
Full
Full
Consistency
Strong
Strong
Schema
Strict
Strict
Architecture
Embedded, In memory, Client server, Single node
Embedded, Client server
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
JPQL, JDOQL
Client languages
Java
Java
Best for
Embedded, OLTP, Coordination
Embedded, OLTP
Add more to this comparisonNot sure either fits? Try smart match

H2 Database vs ObjectDB: FAQ

What is the difference between H2 Database and ObjectDB?

H2 Database: Fast pure-Java SQL engine for embedded, in-memory and test databases, with compatibility modes. ObjectDB: Commercial object database for Java that implements JPA and JDO natively, with no ORM layer. H2 Database is primarily a relational database; ObjectDB is object. Licensing: H2 Database is open source (copyleft) (MPL 2.0 or EPL 1.0 (dual)); ObjectDB is proprietary (ObjectDB Licence (free edition with limits; commercial)). Only H2 Database has full-text search, geospatial, json, triggers, stored procedures.

When should I choose H2 Database over ObjectDB?

Choose H2 Database for integration tests for Spring/JPA applications, embedded storage in Java desktop tools and prototyping before choosing a production database. Choose ObjectDB for java desktop applications with complex object models, JPA-based apps that want to avoid Hibernate tuning and embedded storage in Java tools.

Is H2 Database or ObjectDB more popular?

H2 Database ranks #128 on the WhichDB Score (23.5/100) and ObjectDB ranks #315 (9.3/100). Popularity is not fit: check the requirements that matter for your project.

Are H2 Database and ObjectDB open source?

Yes. H2 Database is open source. License: MPL 2.0 or EPL 1.0 (dual). No. ObjectDB is proprietary, closed-source software. License: ObjectDB Licence (free edition with limits; commercial).