Memgraph vs Neo4j
Memgraph: In-memory, Cypher-compatible graph database in C++ for streaming and real-time graph workloads. Neo4j: The default property-graph database, with Cypher, a big ecosystem and a managed cloud.
key differences
- Licensing: Memgraph is source-available (Business Source License 1.1 (Community) / Memgraph Enterprise License); Neo4j is open source (copyleft) (GPL-3.0 (Community) / commercial (Enterprise)).
- Horizontal scaling is none in Memgraph and addon in Neo4j.
- Only Memgraph has triggers, ttl / expiry, in-memory.
- Only Neo4j has change data capture, encryption at rest.
choose memgraph for
- +Real-time fraud detection on streaming transactions
- +Network and IT topology monitoring
- +GraphRAG and agent memory
- +Supply chain optimization
best at · Traversal, Graph analytics, Real-time analytics
choose neo4j for
- +Fraud rings and entity resolution
- +Real-time recommendations
- +Knowledge graphs for GraphRAG
- +Network and IT dependency mapping
best at · Traversal, Graph analytics, Knowledge graph
Memgraph vs Neo4j: FAQ
What is the difference between Memgraph and Neo4j?
Memgraph: In-memory, Cypher-compatible graph database in C++ for streaming and real-time graph workloads. Neo4j: The default property-graph database, with Cypher, a big ecosystem and a managed cloud. Licensing: Memgraph is source-available (Business Source License 1.1 (Community) / Memgraph Enterprise License); Neo4j is open source (copyleft) (GPL-3.0 (Community) / commercial (Enterprise)). Horizontal scaling is none in Memgraph and addon in Neo4j. Only Memgraph has triggers, ttl / expiry, in-memory.
When should I choose Memgraph over Neo4j?
Choose Memgraph for real-time fraud detection on streaming transactions; network and IT topology monitoring; and GraphRAG and agent memory. Choose Neo4j for fraud rings and entity resolution; real-time recommendations; and knowledge graphs for GraphRAG.
Is Memgraph or Neo4j more popular?
Neo4j ranks #15 on the WhichDB Score (61.2/100) and Memgraph ranks #124 (24.4/100). Popularity is not fit: check the requirements that matter for your project.
Are Memgraph and Neo4j open source?
Not in the OSI sense. Memgraph is source-available: you can read the code, but the license restricts some uses, typically offering it as a competing managed service. License: Business Source License 1.1 (Community) / Memgraph Enterprise License. Yes. Neo4j is open source. License: GPL-3.0 (Community) / commercial (Enterprise).