Overview

ArcadeDB is an open-source multi-model database for teams building applications that combine graph data with other storage and query needs. It suits builders who want deployment flexibility and control over the database; the trade-off is taking on a broad database platform when a focused engine may be a better fit.

One engine handles graph, document, key-value, full-text, vector, and time-series data. That breadth can reduce the need to coordinate separate systems, while the database’s Apache 2.0 license and unrestricted feature set keep the core product accessible to projects of any size.

Explore Multimodel Databases, Graph Databases, and Database Software for related options.

Key features

Multiple data models: Graph algorithms and vector search sit alongside document, key-value, full-text, and time-series support. This combination is useful for knowledge graphs, GraphRAG, recommendations, and analytics, but teams with a single narrow workload may not need the extra breadth.
Many query paths: SQL, OpenCypher 25, Gremlin, GraphQL, MongoDB query language, and a native Java API give teams choices for interacting with data. The range can ease adoption across different application styles, though it also means teams should settle on a query approach that fits their stack.
Flexible deployment and compatibility: Run it embedded in Java applications or as a standalone server, with installation options including Docker, GitHub binary, Maven, and Kubernetes. HTTP/JSON and compatibility with Postgres wire, Redis, and MongoDB protocols can help it fit existing integrations.
Transactions and distributed operation: ArcadeDB states that it provides full ACID transactions on single-node and distributed deployments, and uses Raft to maintain consistency across servers. A persistent write-ahead journal and rollback of uncommitted transactions after a crash address recovery, but teams remain responsible for operating their chosen deployment.
Migration and use cases: Built-in importers for Neo4j and OrientDB provide a starting point for migration. The stated use cases also include fraud detection, customer 360, supply-chain analytics, real-time analytics, and AI/ML feature stores.

Pricing

The Community plan costs 0.00 USD per free, billed forever. It includes the full ArcadeDB feature set, plus community forums, GitHub Issues, documentation, and tutorials. With no database usage limits or feature gating, it is a substantial option for teams willing to rely on community support rather than guaranteed response times.

Paid support is billed monthly per server. Silver costs 299.00 USD per month and includes email support, a priority issue queue, backport patches, a 4h S1 response during business hours, and one Studio AI Assistant license. It fits teams needing a defined support channel without the higher coverage tiers; the response target is limited to business hours.

Gold costs 599.00 USD per month per server. It adds a 1h S1 response, 8am–8pm CET coverage, 24/7 coverage, guaranteed backport patches, and escalation management, as well as one Studio AI Assistant license. The broader coverage and faster response suit teams with more demanding support needs.

Platinum costs 1499.00 USD per month per server. It includes a 30min S1 response, 24/7/365 critical coverage, a dedicated technical account manager, root-cause analysis for S1/S2, an annual architecture and performance audit, and one Studio AI Assistant license. This tier is aimed at organizations that need ongoing technical attention and critical incident coverage.

The Studio AI Assistant is also sold separately for 19.99 USD per month per license, billed monthly. It provides natural-language query assistance, schema exploration, query optimization suggestions, and context-aware documentation. It is an optional add-on, not a requirement for using the database.

Platforms

ArcadeDB supports Linux, macOS, and Windows, with API, web, and self-hosted availability. The latest release page lists ArcadeDB 26.9.1 and downloads for all three desktop and server operating systems.

Who it's for

ArcadeDB is a strong fit for teams building graph-centered systems that also need document, vector, or time-series data, especially when they value multiple query languages and deployment choices. It is also worth considering for organizations migrating from Neo4j or OrientDB. Teams that want guaranteed response times can buy support without paying to unlock database features; those needing only one focused data model may be better served by a narrower product.

Pros and cons

Pro: The Apache 2.0 database includes the full feature set at no cost, with no usage limits or feature gating.
Pro: Multiple data models, query languages, deployment modes, and protocol compatibility give teams options for fitting it into varied stacks.
Pro: Neo4j and OrientDB importers offer a defined migration path for those sources.
Con: Guaranteed support SLAs require a paid subscription, and the higher tiers are billed per server.
Con: The breadth of models and interfaces is unnecessary overhead for teams whose needs are limited to a single workload.

Alternatives

LadybugDB is another free option, with MIT-licensed source code and pre-compiled binaries; consider it when that licensing and distribution model better fits your requirements.

TigerGraph offers a free Savanna trial with workspace resource limits; consider it if you want to evaluate that hosted offering under its trial terms.

Aerospike Database has a Community Edition described with limits of 8 nodes, 2.5 TB of data, and 2 namespaces; it may suit teams comparing a capped community database option.

AllegroGraph has a free tier capped at 5 Million Triples and a custom-quote Enterprise plan; consider it if that bounded free tier matches your knowledge-graph needs.

FalkorDB offers a free plan with multi-graph and multi-tenancy, but without TLS, VPC, cluster deployment, high availability, or multi-zone deployment; it may fit teams that can accept those omissions.

Memgraph offers a free, open-source in-memory graph database with ACID transactions and on-disk persistence; consider it when that graph-focused approach is a closer fit.

NebulaGraph has a free Apache 2.0 open-source edition described as a subset of core features; it may suit teams seeking that edition and its community collaboration model.

OrientDB offers a free Community distribution and paid basic support; consider it when its database distribution or support option fits better.

Verdict

Choose ArcadeDB if your application benefits from combining graph, vector, and other data models in one database and you want the freedom to self-host, embed, or integrate through familiar protocols. Its strongest case is a capable, unrestricted core under Apache 2.0; look elsewhere if your workload is narrow or if a focused alternative better matches the way your team operates.

	ArcadeDB	Azure SQL Database
Free plan	Yes	Yes
Free trial	No	Yes
Paid from	$19.99/mo	Free
Open source	No	No
Platforms	api, Linux, macOS, self-hosted, Web, Windows	Android, api, iOS, Linux, macOS, Web, Windows
Free plan	Yes	Yes
Paid from	$299/mo	—
Vector search	Yes	—

ArcadeDB vs Azure SQL Database

ArcadeDB

Azure SQL Database