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Hazelcast vs NCache

Hazelcast: A Java in-memory data grid and stream processor that embeds in your app or runs as a cluster. NCache: A native .NET distributed cache and data grid for Windows and Linux, with an Apache-licensed edition.

key differences

  • Only Hazelcast has transactions, joins, vector search, change data capture, compression.
  • Only NCache has full-text search, encryption at rest, role-based access.
  • Hazelcast can run embedded in your application process.

choose hazelcast for

  • +Shared low-latency state for microservices
  • +Fraud detection and payment stream processing
  • +Web session clustering for Java app servers
  • +Distributed caching in front of RDBMS

best at · Cache, Sessions, Streaming

choose ncache for

  • +ASP.NET session and output caching
  • +EF Core second-level caching
  • +Shared cache for .NET microservices on Windows or Linux

best at · Cache, Sessions, Pub/Sub

HazelcastA Java in-memory data grid and stream processor that embeds in your app or runs as a cluster.
NCacheA native .NET distributed cache and data grid for Windows and Linux, with an Apache-licensed edition.
overview
Primary model
Key-Value
Key-Value
Also supports
Document, Vector
Document
Type
Database engine
Database engine
Status
Active
Active
Developer
Hazelcast, Inc.
Alachisoft
First release
2008
2005
Latest version
5.7.0 (May 12, 2026)
5.3.8 (Oct 21, 2026)
License
Open source (permissive)Apache 2.0 (Community); Hazelcast Community License for some modules
Open source (permissive)Apache 2.0 (Open Source edition); Enterprise is commercial
Free tier
✓
✓
popularity
WhichDB Score
33.5
7.8
Rank
#63
#337
GitHub stars
6.6K
666
Stack Overflow questions
2.9K
70
scale & guarantees
Comfortable data size
Medium (≤ 10 TB)
Medium (≤ 10 TB)
Horizontal scaling
Native
Native
Multi-region
Active active
Active active
ACID
Limited
Limited
Consistency
Eventual, Strong
Strong, Eventual
Schema
Flexible
Schemaless
Architecture
In memory, Distributed, Embedded, Client server
In memory, Distributed, Client server
deployment
Self-hosted
✓
✓
Vendor-managed cloud
—
✓
Serverless
—
—
Embedded
✓
—
Edge
—
—
Clouds
AWS, Google Cloud, Azure
Azure, AWS
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, Predicate API, Jet Pipeline API
SQL-like query API, LINQ
Client languages
Java, C#, C++, Python, JavaScript, Go
C#, Java, Python, JavaScript
Best for
Cache, Sessions, Streaming, Real-time analytics
Cache, Sessions, Pub/Sub
Add more to this comparisonNot sure either fits? Try smart match

Hazelcast vs NCache: FAQ

What is the difference between Hazelcast and NCache?

Hazelcast: A Java in-memory data grid and stream processor that embeds in your app or runs as a cluster. NCache: A native .NET distributed cache and data grid for Windows and Linux, with an Apache-licensed edition. Only Hazelcast has transactions, joins, vector search, change data capture, compression. Only NCache has full-text search, encryption at rest, role-based access. Hazelcast can run embedded in your application process.

When should I choose Hazelcast over NCache?

Choose Hazelcast for shared low-latency state for microservices; fraud detection and payment stream processing; and web session clustering for Java app servers. Choose NCache for ASP.NET session and output caching; EF Core second-level caching; and shared cache for .NET microservices on Windows or Linux.

Is Hazelcast or NCache more popular?

Hazelcast ranks #63 on the WhichDB Score (33.5/100) and NCache ranks #337 (7.8/100). Popularity is not fit: check the requirements that matter for your project.

Are Hazelcast and NCache open source?

Yes. Hazelcast is open source. License: Apache 2.0 (Community); Hazelcast Community License for some modules. Yes. NCache is open source. License: Apache 2.0 (Open Source edition); Enterprise is commercial.