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Databases · head to head

ArangoDB vs Helm

ArangoDB logo

ArangoDB

Databases

Multi-model database for graph, document, and search

From
Free
Free plan
Yes
Visit ArangoDBFull review
H

Helm

Developer Tools

The package manager for Kubernetes

From
Free
Free plan
Yes
Visit HelmFull review

The short version

  • ArangoDB is a native multi-model database; Helm is a Kubernetes package manager, licensed Apache 2.
  • Helm is free; ArangoDB starts at $99/mo.
  • Where ArangoDB falls short: neither the community licence terms nor cloud pricing are stated on the main site.
  • Prices and features on this page were last checked on 13 November 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which ArangoDB and Helm actually diverge.

Attributes where ArangoDB and Helm differ
AttributeArangoDBHelm
Pricing modelFreemiumOpen-source
PlatformsLinux, Windows, macOS, Self-hosted, WebWeb
CategoryDatabasesDeveloper Tools

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes).

Not yet recorded: founded for Helm.

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 Helm

Nothing recorded that ArangoDB does not also cover.

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 Helm
  • Vector and full-text search alongside graph traversalnot Helm
  • Avoiding separate stores for related and unstructured datanot Helm
  • Backing AI applications needing both graph context and vectorsnot Helm

Helm

  • Kubernetes package manager and deployment toolnot 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

Helm

  • Contributors must sign commits under the Developer Certificate of Origin to have them accepted, per helm.sh, a process requirement not all Kubernetes tools impose

Pricing, plan by plan

ArangoDB

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

Helm

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Helm review.

Which should you pick?

Choose ArangoDB if

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

Choose Helm if

  • You want to start without paying.
Helm review

Questions people ask

Is ArangoDB or Helm better?
Neither clearly leads. ArangoDB starts at Free and Helm at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, ArangoDB or Helm?
ArangoDB starts at Free and Helm at Free.
Does ArangoDB or Helm run on more platforms?
ArangoDB runs on Linux, Windows, macOS, Self-hosted, Web. Helm runs on Web.
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 Helm is typically brought in for.
What can ArangoDB do that Helm cannot?
ArangoDB covers Multi-model Support, AQL Query Language, Graph Traversals, Full-text Search.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

ArangoDB: How is ArangoDB priced?

ArangoDB offers Community Edition (free) and Enterprise Edition. Pricing is customized based on deployment model (self-managed, managed cloud AWS/GCP, or OEM/embedded) and customer requirements. Contact Arango for a quote.

Source
Helm: How much does Helm cost?

Helm is free and open-source. It is a graduated project in the Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF) with no commercial pricing model.

Source
ArangoDB: What deployment options does ArangoDB offer?

ArangoDB can be deployed self-managed on customer infrastructure, as managed cloud (Arango Managed Platform on AWS/GCP), or as OEM/embedded solutions.

Source
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