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TinyDB vs ZODB

TinyDB: Pure-Python document store that keeps every table in one human-readable JSON file. ZODB: Transparent persistence for Python objects with ACID transactions and history.

key differences

  • TinyDB is primarily a document database; ZODB is object.
  • Transactions: TinyDB offers none ACID; ZODB offers full.
  • Only TinyDB has json.
  • Only ZODB has transactions, time travel, online schema changes.

choose tinydb for

  • +State and config storage for CLI tools and scripts
  • +Prototypes and test fixtures
  • +Small single-user desktop or hobby apps
  • +Collecting small scraped or logged datasets

best at · Embedded, Coordination, Metadata

choose zodb for

  • +Plone and Zope CMS deployments
  • +Python apps with complex, deeply nested object models
  • +Prototyping persistence without designing a schema

best at · Embedded, Content

TinyDBPure-Python document store that keeps every table in one human-readable JSON file.
ZODBTransparent persistence for Python objects with ACID transactions and history.
overview
Primary model
Document
Object
Also supports
–
Key-Value
Type
Embedded library
Embedded library
Status
Active
Active
Developer
Markus Siemens and contributors
Zope Foundation
First release
2013
1998
Latest version
4.9.0 (Aug 6, 2026)
6.4 (Oct 12, 2026)
License
Open source (permissive)MIT License
Open source (permissive)Zope Public License 2.1
Free tier
✓
✓
popularity
WhichDB Score
21.3
22.7
Rank
#139
#134
GitHub stars
7.6K
761
Stack Overflow questions
95
190
scale & guarantees
Comfortable data size
Small (≤ 100 GB)
Small (≤ 100 GB)
Horizontal scaling
None
None
Multi-region
None
None
ACID
None
Full
Consistency
Strong
Strong
Schema
Schemaless
Schemaless
Architecture
Embedded, Single node
Embedded, 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
Python Query API
Python (object traversal)
Client languages
Python
Python
Best for
Embedded, Coordination, Metadata
Embedded, Content
Add more to this comparisonNot sure either fits? Try smart match

TinyDB vs ZODB: FAQ

What is the difference between TinyDB and ZODB?

TinyDB: Pure-Python document store that keeps every table in one human-readable JSON file. ZODB: Transparent persistence for Python objects with ACID transactions and history. TinyDB is primarily a document database; ZODB is object. Transactions: TinyDB offers none ACID; ZODB offers full. Only TinyDB has json.

When should I choose TinyDB over ZODB?

Choose TinyDB for state and config storage for CLI tools and scripts; prototypes and test fixtures; and small single-user desktop or hobby apps. Choose ZODB for plone and Zope CMS deployments; python apps with complex, deeply nested object models; and prototyping persistence without designing a schema.

Is TinyDB or ZODB more popular?

ZODB ranks #134 on the WhichDB Score (22.7/100) and TinyDB ranks #139 (21.3/100). Popularity is not fit: check the requirements that matter for your project.

Are TinyDB and ZODB open source?

Yes. TinyDB is open source. License: MIT License. Yes. ZODB is open source. License: Zope Public License 2.1.