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Dgraph vs FaunaDB

Dgraph logo

Dgraph

Software

The only native GraphQL database with graph backend

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
FaunaDB logo

FaunaDB

Software

The distributed serverless database for modern applications

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; FaunaDB the Internet Archive's capture of FaunaDB's homepage on 5 January 2019 confirmed a free 'Try Cloud' tier alongside a self-hosted download, with a separate Pricing page linked but not itself retrievable from the archive within two attempts.
  • They diverge on capability: Dgraph covers Native GraphQL, FaunaDB covers Document-relational Model.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Dgraph and FaunaDB actually diverge.

Attributes where Dgraph and FaunaDB differ
AttributeDgraphFaunaDB
PlatformsLinux, Mac, Docker, WebWeb
Founded20162012

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (freemium), 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 Dgraph

  • Native GraphQL
  • Distributed Architecture
  • GraphQL Subscriptions
  • Full-text Search
  • Geolocation Queries
  • Horizontal Scaling
  • Ratel UI
  • Slash GraphQL

Only in FaunaDB

  • Document-relational Model
  • GraphQL API
  • Global Distribution
  • Temporal Queries
  • Multi-tenancy
  • Serverless
  • Netlify
  • Vercel

Both cover

  • ACID Transactions
  • GraphQL
  • Web support

What people use each for

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

Dgraph

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

FaunaDB

  • Serverless applicationsnot Dgraph
  • Rapid prototypingnot Dgraph
  • Mobile backendsnot Dgraph
  • JAMstacknot Dgraph
  • Microservicesnot 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

FaunaDB

  • The Internet Archive's capture of FaunaDB's homepage on 5 January 2019 confirmed a free 'Try Cloud' tier alongside a self-hosted download, with a separate Pricing page linked but not itself retrievable from the archive within two attempts.

Pricing, plan by plan

Dgraph

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

FaunaDB

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 100K read ops
    • 50K write ops
    • 1GB storage
  • Pro$25/month
    • Pay per use
    • Priority support
    • Advanced features

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 FaunaDB if

  • You need document-relational model.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want graphql api.
FaunaDB review

Questions people ask

Is Dgraph or FaunaDB better?
Neither clearly leads. Dgraph starts at Free and FaunaDB at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Dgraph or FaunaDB?
Dgraph starts at Free and FaunaDB at Free.
Does Dgraph or FaunaDB run on more platforms?
Dgraph runs on Linux, Mac, Docker, Web. FaunaDB runs on Web.
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 FaunaDB is typically brought in for.
What can Dgraph do that FaunaDB cannot?
Dgraph covers Native GraphQL, Distributed Architecture, GraphQL Subscriptions, Full-text Search. FaunaDB covers Document-relational Model, GraphQL API, Global Distribution, Temporal Queries. Both handle ACID Transactions, GraphQL, Web support.
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