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HelixDB vs IndraDB

HelixDB: Rust graph-vector database on object storage, queried through typed SDKs for AI apps. IndraDB: Rust graph database, inspired by Facebook's TAO, usable as an embedded library or a gRPC server.

key differences

  • Licensing: HelixDB is open source (permissive) (Apache License 2.0); IndraDB is open source (copyleft) (Mozilla Public License 2.0).
  • HelixDB is built for larger datasets (≤ 10 TB) than IndraDB (≤ 100 GB).
  • Transactions: HelixDB offers full ACID; IndraDB offers limited.
  • Only HelixDB has transactions, full-text search, vector search.
  • Only IndraDB has json.
  • IndraDB can run embedded in your application process.

choose helixdb for

  • +RAG with graph context
  • +Agent memory stores
  • +Semantic search over linked entities
  • +AI app prototypes

best at · RAG, Vector search, Traversal

choose indradb for

  • +Embedding a property graph in a Rust service
  • +Social or link graphs queried by bounded hops
  • +Prototyping graph features before adopting a larger engine

best at · Traversal, Embedded

HelixDBRust graph-vector database on object storage, queried through typed SDKs for AI apps.
IndraDBRust graph database, inspired by Facebook's TAO, usable as an embedded library or a gRPC server.
overview
Primary model
Graph
Graph
Also supports
Vector
–
Type
Database engine
Database engine
Status
Active
Active
Developer
HelixDB
IndraDB project (Yusuf Simonson)
First release
2025
2018
Latest version
3.5.1 (Oct 8, 2026)
5.0.0 (Aug 16, 2025)
License
Open source (permissive)Apache License 2.0
Open source (copyleft)Mozilla Public License 2.0
Free tier
✓
✓
popularity
WhichDB Score
13.2
4.5
Rank
#256
#402
GitHub stars
6.2K
2.5K
Stack Overflow questions
–
–
scale & guarantees
Comfortable data size
Medium (≤ 10 TB)
Small (≤ 100 GB)
Horizontal scaling
None
None
Multi-region
None
None
ACID
Full
Limited
Consistency
Strong
Strong
Schema
Strict
Schemaless
Architecture
Client server, Shared storage, In memory
Client server, Embedded, Single node
deployment
Self-hosted
✓
✓
Vendor-managed cloud
✓
—
Serverless
—
—
Embedded
—
✓
Edge
—
—
Clouds
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
SDK query builders, JSON query API
IndraDB query API
Client languages
Rust, TypeScript, Python, Go
Rust, Python
Best for
RAG, Vector search, Traversal, OLTP
Traversal, Embedded
Add more to this comparisonNot sure either fits? Try smart match

HelixDB vs IndraDB: FAQ

What is the difference between HelixDB and IndraDB?

HelixDB: Rust graph-vector database on object storage, queried through typed SDKs for AI apps. IndraDB: Rust graph database, inspired by Facebook's TAO, usable as an embedded library or a gRPC server. Licensing: HelixDB is open source (permissive) (Apache License 2.0); IndraDB is open source (copyleft) (Mozilla Public License 2.0). HelixDB is built for larger datasets (≤ 10 TB) than IndraDB (≤ 100 GB). Transactions: HelixDB offers full ACID; IndraDB offers limited.

When should I choose HelixDB over IndraDB?

Choose HelixDB for RAG with graph context, agent memory stores and semantic search over linked entities. Choose IndraDB for embedding a property graph in a Rust service, social or link graphs queried by bounded hops and prototyping graph features before adopting a larger engine.

Is HelixDB or IndraDB more popular?

HelixDB ranks #256 on the WhichDB Score (13.2/100) and IndraDB ranks #402 (4.5/100). Popularity is not fit: check the requirements that matter for your project.

Are HelixDB and IndraDB open source?

Yes. HelixDB is open source. License: Apache License 2.0. Yes. IndraDB is open source. License: Mozilla Public License 2.0.