vs

JanusGraph vs NebulaGraph

JanusGraph: Open-source distributed graph database layered on Cassandra, HBase, ScyllaDB or Bigtable. NebulaGraph: Shared-nothing distributed graph database for trillion-edge graphs, with GQL in Enterprise v5.

key differences

  • Only JanusGraph has transactions, geospatial.
  • Only NebulaGraph has compression, role-based access.

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

choose nebulagraph for

  • +Social and relationship graphs at internet scale
  • +Risk control and anti-fraud in finance
  • +Knowledge graphs for search and recommendation
  • +Device and account linkage graphs

best at · Traversal, Graph analytics, Knowledge graph

overview
Primary model
Graph
Graph
Also supports
–
–
Type
Database engine
Database engine
Status
Active
Active
Developer
JanusGraph community (LF AI & Data Foundation)
Vesoft Inc.
First release
2017
2019
Latest version
1.1.0 (Nov 9, 2024)
3.8.0 (May 17, 2024)
License
Open source (permissive)Apache License 2.0 (code), CC-BY-4.0 (docs)
Open source (permissive)Apache License 2.0 (open-source edition); Enterprise is commercial
Free tier
✓
✓
popularity
WhichDB Score
25.2
18.1
Rank
#120
#183
GitHub stars
5.9K
12.5K
Stack Overflow questions
895
119
scale & guarantees
Comfortable data size
Large (≤ 1 PB)
Large (≤ 1 PB)
Horizontal scaling
Native
Native
Multi-region
Active active
None
ACID
Limited
Limited
Consistency
Tunable, Eventual
Strong
Schema
Flexible
Strict
Architecture
Distributed, Client server, Embedded
Distributed, 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
Gremlin
nGQL, openCypher (subset), GQL (Enterprise v5)
Client languages
Java, Python, JavaScript, .NET, Go
Java, Python, Go, C++, JavaScript (community)
Best for
Traversal, Graph analytics, Knowledge graph
Traversal, Graph analytics, Knowledge graph, OLTP

JanusGraph vs NebulaGraph: FAQ

What is the difference between JanusGraph and NebulaGraph?

JanusGraph: Open-source distributed graph database layered on Cassandra, HBase, ScyllaDB or Bigtable. NebulaGraph: Shared-nothing distributed graph database for trillion-edge graphs, with GQL in Enterprise v5. Only JanusGraph has transactions, geospatial. Only NebulaGraph has compression, role-based access.

When should I choose JanusGraph over NebulaGraph?

Choose JanusGraph for large-scale graphs on existing Cassandra or ScyllaDB clusters; telecom and network inventory graphs; and security and identity graphs. Choose NebulaGraph for social and relationship graphs at internet scale; risk control and anti-fraud in finance; and knowledge graphs for search and recommendation.

Is JanusGraph or NebulaGraph more popular?

JanusGraph ranks #120 on the WhichDB Score (25.2/100) and NebulaGraph ranks #183 (18.1/100). Popularity is not fit: check the requirements that matter for your project.

Are JanusGraph and NebulaGraph open source?

Yes. JanusGraph is open source. License: Apache License 2.0 (code), CC-BY-4.0 (docs). Yes. NebulaGraph is open source. License: Apache License 2.0 (open-source edition); Enterprise is commercial.