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Dgraph vs DynamoDB

Dgraph logo

Dgraph

Software

The only native GraphQL database with graph backend

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
DynamoDB logo

DynamoDB

Software

Fast, flexible NoSQL database service for any scale

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Dgraph has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • 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; DynamoDB noSQL-only; does not support complex relational queries or SQL joins
  • They diverge on capability: Dgraph covers Native GraphQL, DynamoDB covers Single-digit Millisecond Latency.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Dgraph and DynamoDB actually diverge.

Attributes where Dgraph and DynamoDB differ
AttributeDgraphDynamoDB
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelfreemiumusage-based
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsLinux, Mac, Docker, WebAWS
Founded20162006

Identical on both: 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 Dgraph

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

Only in DynamoDB

  • Single-digit Millisecond Latency
  • Serverless
  • Auto-scaling
  • Global Tables
  • Point-in-time Recovery
  • Encryption
  • Streams
  • Lambda

Both cover

  • Web support

What people use each for

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

Dgraph

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

DynamoDB

  • High-scale, variable-workload applicationsnot Dgraph
  • Mobile and IoT device backendsnot Dgraph
  • Real-time analytics and dashboardsnot Dgraph
  • Multi-region, globally distributed applicationsnot 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

DynamoDB

  • NoSQL-only; does not support complex relational queries or SQL joins
  • Limited query flexibility; requires thinking in terms of keys and indexes rather than ad-hoc queries

Pricing, plan by plan

Dgraph

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

DynamoDB

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the DynamoDB 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 DynamoDB if

  • You need single-digit millisecond latency.
  • You work on AWS.
  • You also want serverless.
DynamoDB review

Questions people ask

Is Dgraph or DynamoDB better?
Neither clearly leads. Dgraph starts at Free and DynamoDB at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Dgraph or DynamoDB?
Dgraph has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Dgraph and On request for DynamoDB.
Does Dgraph or DynamoDB run on more platforms?
Dgraph runs on Linux, Mac, Docker, Web. DynamoDB runs on AWS.
Can I use Dgraph for free?
Yes. Dgraph has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. DynamoDB starts at On request.
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 DynamoDB is typically brought in for.
What can Dgraph do that DynamoDB cannot?
Dgraph covers Native GraphQL, Distributed Architecture, ACID Transactions, GraphQL Subscriptions. DynamoDB covers Single-digit Millisecond Latency, Serverless, Auto-scaling, Global Tables. Both handle Web support.
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