Softwr

Software · head to head

Couchbase vs Flock

Couchbase logo

Couchbase

Software

The modern database for enterprise applications

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Flock logo

Flock

Software

Organized team communication platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

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; Flock the Starter plan only makes the most recent 10,000 messages searchable and caps public channels at 10
  • They diverge on capability: Couchbase covers JSON Document Model, Flock covers Team chat.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Couchbase and Flock actually diverge.

Attributes where Couchbase and Flock differ
AttributeCouchbaseFlock
Pricing modelfreemiumsubscription
PlatformsLinux, Windows, Mac, Docker, WebWeb, Windows, Macos, Ios, Android
Founded20112014

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 Flock

  • Team chat
  • Channels
  • Threads
  • File sharing
  • Polls
  • Integrations
  • Mobile apps
  • Slack

Both cover

  • Windows support
  • Web 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 Flock
  • Mobile sync and offline first applications backed by a cloud databasenot Flock

Flock

  • Team messaging with channels, direct messages and file sharingnot Couchbase
  • Running polls, to-dos and reminders inside a chat workspacenot Couchbase
  • Video conferencing and screen sharing for small teamsnot 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

Flock

  • The Starter plan only makes the most recent 10,000 messages searchable and caps public channels at 10
  • Starter storage is 5 GB for the entire team, against 10 GB per member on Pro and 20 GB per member on Enterprise
  • Starter allows a single team admin and a single approved domain
  • Group video calls and screen sharing require the Pro plan; Starter is limited to 1-1 video calls
  • Group video calls are capped at 20 participants even on Enterprise
  • Single Sign-On and Active Directory sync are Enterprise only
  • Enterprise is quote only, with no published rate, and is positioned for organisations with 100 or more members
  • Unlimited auto-join and announcement channels require Enterprise; Starter and Pro get one of each

Pricing, plan by plan

Couchbase

Free
  • CommunityFree
    • Full features
    • Community support
    • Self-managed
  • Capella FreeFree
    • Managed service
    • Limited resources
    • Cloud hosted

Flock

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Unlimited chats
    • Channels
    • File sharing
  • Pro$5/month
    • Everything in Free
    • Advanced search
    • API access

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.
Couchbase review

Choose Flock if

  • You need team chat.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Windows, Macos, Ios, Android.
  • You also want channels.
Flock review

Questions people ask

Is Couchbase or Flock better?
Neither clearly leads. Couchbase starts at Free and Flock at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Couchbase or Flock?
Couchbase starts at Free and Flock at Free.
Does Couchbase or Flock run on more platforms?
Couchbase runs on Linux, Windows, Mac, Docker, Web. Flock runs on Web, Windows, Macos, Ios, Android.
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 Flock is typically brought in for.
What can Couchbase do that Flock cannot?
Couchbase covers JSON Document Model, SQL++ Query, Full-text Search, Eventing. Flock covers Team chat, Channels, Threads, File sharing. Both handle Windows support, Web support.
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on Couchbase

More on Flock

Keep looking

Other head to heads