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Couchbase vs Packer

Couchbase logo

Couchbase

Software

The modern database for enterprise applications

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
P

Packer

Software

Build automated machine images

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; Packer packer 1.10.0 and later is licensed under the Business Source License 1.1 with IBM Corporation as licensor, not an OSI open source licence
  • They diverge on capability: Couchbase covers JSON Document Model, Packer covers Image building.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Couchbase and Packer actually diverge.

Attributes where Couchbase and Packer differ
AttributeCouchbasePacker
Pricing modelfreemiumopen-source
PlatformsLinux, Windows, Mac, Docker, WebLinux, Windows, Mac
Founded20112013

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 Packer

  • Image building
  • Multi-platform support
  • Provisioners
  • Builders
  • Post-processors
  • Variables
  • Data sources
  • Validation

Both cover

  • Linux support
  • Windows 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 Packer
  • Mobile sync and offline first applications backed by a cloud databasenot Packer

Packer

  • Building identical machine images for multiple clouds from one templatenot Couchbase
  • Baking golden AMIs and VM images into a CI pipelinenot Couchbase
  • Creating immutable infrastructure artifacts consumed by Terraformnot 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

Packer

  • Packer 1.10.0 and later is licensed under the Business Source License 1.1 with IBM Corporation as licensor, not an OSI open source licence
  • The Additional Use Grant forbids offering Packer to third parties on a hosted or embedded basis in a paid product that competes with IBM's paid versions of Packer
  • Each version converts to the MPL 2.0 Change License only four years after that version is first published, and the Change Date is set separately per version
  • Alternative licensing for uses outside the grant must be arranged with the licensor rather than taken under the public licence

Pricing, plan by plan

Couchbase

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

Packer

Free
  • Open SourceFree
    • Multi-platform image building
    • Template-driven
    • Provisioner support

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 Packer if

  • You need image building.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, Windows, Mac.
  • You also want multi-platform support.
Packer review

Questions people ask

Is Couchbase or Packer better?
Neither clearly leads. Couchbase starts at Free and Packer at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Couchbase or Packer?
Couchbase starts at Free and Packer at Free.
Does Couchbase or Packer run on more platforms?
Couchbase runs on Linux, Windows, Mac, Docker, Web. Packer runs on Linux, Windows, Mac.
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 Packer is typically brought in for.
What can Couchbase do that Packer cannot?
Couchbase covers JSON Document Model, SQL++ Query, Full-text Search, Eventing. Packer covers Image building, Multi-platform support, Provisioners, Builders. Both handle Linux support, Windows support.
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