Software · head to head
Couchbase vs CouchDB
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Couchbase the free tier is a single node with 8 GB of storage and forum support only; CouchDB append-only storage model may have performance implications for certain workloads with high update rates
- They diverge on capability: Couchbase covers JSON Document Model, CouchDB covers Multi-master Replication.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Couchbase and CouchDB actually diverge.
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 Couchbase
- JSON Document Model
- SQL++ Query
- Full-text Search
- Eventing
- Analytics
- Mobile Sync
- Multi-dimensional Scaling
- Kafka
Only in CouchDB
- Multi-master Replication
- HTTP/JSON API
- MapReduce Views
- ACID Semantics
- Offline-first
- Conflict Resolution
- Fauxton UI
- PouchDB
Both cover
- Linux support
- Windows support
- Mac support
- Docker support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Couchbase
- Running a distributed NoSQL document database as a managed servicenot CouchDB
- Mobile sync and offline first applications backed by a cloud databasenot CouchDB
CouchDB
- Offline-first applications requiring seamless replication across mobile and server environmentsnot Couchbase
- Multi-master deployments where data consistency eventually resolves across regionsnot Couchbase
- IoT and edge computing scenarios with intermittent connectivitynot Couchbase
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Couchbase
- The free tier is a single node with 8 GB of storage and forum support only
- Node rates are hourly and quoted as starting figures, from $0.15 an hour on Basic to $0.49 on Enterprise
- The Developer Pro and Enterprise plans require 3 nodes, so the hourly rate multiplies before any usage
- Backup storage is billed separately at $0.07 per GB a month, and analytics backups at $0.14
- Support response time is a plan feature, at 8 hours on Developer Pro against 30 minutes on Enterprise
- AI and analytics run as separately priced planes at up to $0.86 an hour per node
CouchDB
- Append-only storage model may have performance implications for certain workloads with high update rates
- Requires network synchronisation for cluster data consistency; can introduce latency in multi-master scenarios
- No explicit support for complex joins; MapReduce queries may be inefficient compared to relational databases
Pricing, plan by plan
Couchbase
Free- CommunityFree
- Full features
- Community support
- Self-managed
- Capella FreeFree
- Managed service
- Limited resources
- Cloud hosted
CouchDB
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the CouchDB review.
Which should you pick?
Choose Couchbase if
- You need json document model.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Linux, Windows, Mac, Docker, Web.
- You also want sql++ query.
Choose CouchDB if
- You need multi-master replication.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Docker, Windows (x64), macOS, Linux (Debian, Ubuntu, RHEL, CentOS), Raspberry Pi.
- You also want http/json api.
Questions people ask
- Is Couchbase or CouchDB better?
- Neither clearly leads. Couchbase starts at Free and CouchDB at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Couchbase or CouchDB?
- Couchbase starts at Free and CouchDB at Free.
- Does Couchbase or CouchDB run on more platforms?
- Couchbase runs on Linux, Windows, Mac, Docker, Web. CouchDB runs on Docker, Windows (x64), macOS, Linux (Debian, Ubuntu, RHEL, CentOS), Raspberry Pi.
- Can I use Couchbase for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Couchbase best used for?
- Couchbase is most often used for running a distributed nosql document database as a managed service, mobile sync and offline first applications backed by a cloud database. Of those, running a distributed nosql document database as a managed service and mobile sync and offline first applications backed by a cloud database are not what CouchDB is typically brought in for.
- What can Couchbase do that CouchDB cannot?
- Couchbase covers JSON Document Model, SQL++ Query, Full-text Search, Eventing. CouchDB covers Multi-master Replication, HTTP/JSON API, MapReduce Views, ACID Semantics. Both handle Linux support, Windows support, Mac support, Docker support.