Softwr

Database & Data Management · head to head

Dgraph vs DuckDB

Dgraph logo

Dgraph

Database & Data Management

The only native GraphQL database with graph backend

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
DuckDB logo

DuckDB

Database & Data Management

Fast in-process analytical database

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Dgraph the GitHub repository (dgraph-io/dgraph) is licensed Apache 2.0 with no paid tier, cloud offering, or enterprise edition mentioned anywhere in the README; DuckDB client-server setup remains in beta and not recommended for production distributed scenarios
  • They diverge on capability: Dgraph covers Native GraphQL, DuckDB covers In-process Execution.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Dgraph and DuckDB actually diverge.

Attributes where Dgraph and DuckDB differ
AttributeDgraphDuckDB
Pricing modelfreemiumopen-source
PlatformsLinux, Mac, Docker, WebLinux, macOS, Windows, WebAssembly
Founded20162019

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

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 Dgraph

  • Native GraphQL
  • Distributed Architecture
  • ACID Transactions
  • GraphQL Subscriptions
  • Full-text Search
  • Geolocation Queries
  • Horizontal Scaling
  • GraphQL

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
  • Mac support

What people use each for

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

Dgraph

  • Knowledge graphsnot DuckDB
  • Fraud detectionnot DuckDB
  • Recommendation enginesnot DuckDB
  • Network analysisnot DuckDB
  • Master data managementnot DuckDB

DuckDB

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

Where each one falls short

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

Dgraph

  • The GitHub repository (dgraph-io/dgraph) is licensed Apache 2.0 with no paid tier, cloud offering, or enterprise edition mentioned anywhere in the README

DuckDB

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

Pricing, plan by plan

Dgraph

Free
  • CommunityFree
    • Native GraphQL
    • Graph queries
    • Full-text search
  • Cloud$39/month
    • Managed service
    • Auto-scaling
    • Enterprise support

DuckDB

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the DuckDB review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Dgraph if

  • You need native graphql.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, Mac, Docker, Web.
  • You also want distributed architecture.
Dgraph 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 Dgraph or DuckDB better?
Neither clearly leads. Dgraph 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, Dgraph or DuckDB?
Dgraph starts at Free and DuckDB at Free.
Does Dgraph or DuckDB run on more platforms?
Dgraph runs on Linux, Mac, Docker, Web. DuckDB runs on Linux, macOS, Windows, WebAssembly.
Can I use Dgraph for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Dgraph best used for?
Dgraph is most often used for knowledge graphs, fraud detection, recommendation engines, network analysis. Of those, knowledge graphs and fraud detection are not what DuckDB is typically brought in for.
What can Dgraph do that DuckDB cannot?
Dgraph covers Native GraphQL, Distributed Architecture, ACID Transactions, GraphQL Subscriptions. DuckDB covers In-process Execution, Columnar Storage, Vectorized Execution, Rich SQL Support. Both handle Linux support, Mac support.
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