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ArangoDB vs DuckDB

ArangoDB logo

ArangoDB

Software

Multi-model database for graph, document, and search

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
DuckDB logo

DuckDB

Software

Fast in-process analytical database

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: ArangoDB the company has repositioned around a wider platform, so ArangoDB is now described as the foundation inside Arango rather than the product itself; DuckDB client-server setup remains in beta and not recommended for production distributed scenarios
  • They diverge on capability: ArangoDB covers Multi-model Support, DuckDB covers In-process Execution.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which ArangoDB and DuckDB actually diverge.

Attributes where ArangoDB and DuckDB differ
AttributeArangoDBDuckDB
Pricing modelfreemiumopen-source
PlatformsLinux, Windows, Mac, Docker, WebLinux, macOS, Windows, WebAssembly
Founded20142019

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in ArangoDB

  • Multi-model Support
  • AQL Query Language
  • Graph Traversals
  • Full-text Search
  • ACID Transactions
  • SmartGraphs
  • Satellite Collections
  • Foxx Microservices

Only in DuckDB

  • In-process Execution
  • Columnar Storage
  • Vectorized Execution
  • Rich SQL Support
  • Parquet Support
  • CSV/JSON Import
  • Zero Dependencies
  • Python

Both cover

  • Linux support
  • Windows support
  • Mac support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

ArangoDB

  • Graph, document and key-value data in one databasenot DuckDB
  • Vector and full-text search alongside graph traversalnot DuckDB
  • Avoiding separate stores for related and unstructured datanot DuckDB
  • Backing AI applications needing both graph context and vectorsnot DuckDB

DuckDB

  • Analytics and data warehousingnot ArangoDB
  • OLAP queries and data explorationnot ArangoDB
  • Data science and machine learning workflowsnot ArangoDB
  • Multi-format data ingestion and processingnot ArangoDB

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

ArangoDB

  • The company has repositioned around a wider platform, so ArangoDB is now described as the foundation inside Arango rather than the product itself
  • Neither the community licence terms nor cloud pricing are stated on the main site
  • arangodb.com redirects to arango.ai

DuckDB

  • Client-server setup remains in beta and not recommended for production distributed scenarios

Pricing, plan by plan

ArangoDB

Free
  • CommunityFree
    • All data models
    • AQL queries
    • Full-text search
  • ArangoGraph$99/month
    • Managed service
    • Graph analytics
    • Enterprise support

DuckDB

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the DuckDB review.

Which should you pick?

Choose ArangoDB if

  • You need multi-model support.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, Windows, Mac, Docker, Web.
  • You also want aql query language.
ArangoDB review

Choose DuckDB if

  • You need in-process execution.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, macOS, Windows, WebAssembly.
  • You also want columnar storage.
DuckDB review

Questions people ask

Is ArangoDB or DuckDB better?
Neither clearly leads. ArangoDB starts at Free and DuckDB at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, ArangoDB or DuckDB?
ArangoDB starts at Free and DuckDB at Free.
Does ArangoDB or DuckDB run on more platforms?
ArangoDB runs on Linux, Windows, Mac, Docker, Web. DuckDB runs on Linux, macOS, Windows, WebAssembly.
Can I use ArangoDB for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is ArangoDB best used for?
ArangoDB is most often used for graph, document and key-value data in one database, vector and full-text search alongside graph traversal, avoiding separate stores for related and unstructured data, backing ai applications needing both graph context and vectors. Of those, graph, document and key-value data in one database and vector and full-text search alongside graph traversal are not what DuckDB is typically brought in for.
What can ArangoDB do that DuckDB cannot?
ArangoDB covers Multi-model Support, AQL Query Language, Graph Traversals, Full-text Search. DuckDB covers In-process Execution, Columnar Storage, Vectorized Execution, Rich SQL Support. Both handle Linux support, Windows support, Mac support.
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