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InterSystems IRIS vs Actian NoSQL (Versant)

InterSystems IRIS: Multi-model data platform (SQL, objects, globals, vectors) with built-in interoperability, big in healthcare. Actian NoSQL (Versant): Enterprise object database formerly known as Versant, sold by Actian for complex object models.

key differences

  • InterSystems IRIS is primarily a relational database; Actian NoSQL (Versant) is object.
  • InterSystems IRIS is built for larger datasets (≤ 1 PB) than Actian NoSQL (Versant) (≤ 10 TB).
  • Horizontal scaling is native in InterSystems IRIS and manual in Actian NoSQL (Versant).
  • Only InterSystems IRIS has joins, full-text search, vector search, json, triggers.
  • Only Actian NoSQL (Versant) has online schema changes.
  • Actian NoSQL (Versant) can run embedded in your application process.

choose intersystems-iris for

  • +Electronic health records and hospital information systems
  • +Health information exchanges and FHIR servers
  • +High-throughput financial transaction processing
  • +Supply-chain and logistics platforms needing integration plus analytics

best at · OLTP, HTAP, Real-time analytics

choose versant-object-database for

  • +Telecom network inventory and management
  • +Defence and transport systems with deep object models
  • +Maintaining existing Versant installations

best at · OLTP, Embedded

InterSystems IRISMulti-model data platform (SQL, objects, globals, vectors) with built-in interoperability, big in healthcare.
Actian NoSQL (Versant)Enterprise object database formerly known as Versant, sold by Actian for complex object models.
overview
Primary model
Relational
Object
Also supports
Object, Document, Key-Value, Multivalue (Pick), Vector
–
Type
Database engine
Database engine
Status
Active
Active
Developer
InterSystems Corporation
Actian (HCLSoftware)
First release
2018
1990
Latest version
2026.2 (CD) (Jul 22, 2026)
–
License
ProprietaryProprietary commercial license
ProprietaryCommercial (Actian)
Free tier
✓
—
popularity
WhichDB Score
13.3
3.1
Rank
#253
#445
GitHub stars
–
–
Stack Overflow questions
42
–
scale & guarantees
Comfortable data size
Large (≤ 1 PB)
Medium (≤ 10 TB)
Horizontal scaling
Native
Manual
Multi-region
Read replicas
None
ACID
Full
Full
Consistency
Strong
Strong
Schema
Flexible
Strict
Architecture
Client server, Primary replica, Distributed
Client server, Distributed, Embedded
deployment
Self-hosted
✓
✓
Vendor-managed cloud
✓
—
Serverless
—
—
Embedded
—
✓
Edge
—
—
Clouds
AWS, Azure, Google Cloud
–
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, ObjectScript, Python (Embedded)
VQL (Versant Query Language), JPA (NoSQL JPA)
Client languages
Java, C#, Python, JavaScript, C++
C++, Java, C#
Best for
OLTP, HTAP, Real-time analytics, Vector search
OLTP, Embedded
Add more to this comparisonNot sure either fits? Try smart match

InterSystems IRIS vs Actian NoSQL (Versant): FAQ

What is the difference between InterSystems IRIS and Actian NoSQL (Versant)?

InterSystems IRIS: Multi-model data platform (SQL, objects, globals, vectors) with built-in interoperability, big in healthcare. Actian NoSQL (Versant): Enterprise object database formerly known as Versant, sold by Actian for complex object models. InterSystems IRIS is primarily a relational database; Actian NoSQL (Versant) is object. InterSystems IRIS is built for larger datasets (≤ 1 PB) than Actian NoSQL (Versant) (≤ 10 TB). Horizontal scaling is native in InterSystems IRIS and manual in Actian NoSQL (Versant).

When should I choose InterSystems IRIS over Actian NoSQL (Versant)?

Choose InterSystems IRIS for electronic health records and hospital information systems; health information exchanges and FHIR servers; and high-throughput financial transaction processing. Choose Actian NoSQL (Versant) for telecom network inventory and management; defence and transport systems with deep object models; and maintaining existing Versant installations.

Is InterSystems IRIS or Actian NoSQL (Versant) more popular?

InterSystems IRIS ranks #253 on the WhichDB Score (13.3/100) and Actian NoSQL (Versant) ranks #445 (3.1/100). Popularity is not fit: check the requirements that matter for your project.

Are InterSystems IRIS and Actian NoSQL (Versant) open source?

No. InterSystems IRIS is proprietary, closed-source software. No. Actian NoSQL (Versant) is proprietary, closed-source software. License: Commercial (Actian).