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Software · head to head

Dgraph vs Neo4j

Dgraph logo

Dgraph

Software

The only native GraphQL database with graph backend

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Neo4j logo

Neo4j

Software

The world's leading graph 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; Neo4j auraDB Free has no service availability SLA, no backups and no point-in-time recovery
  • They diverge on capability: Dgraph covers Native GraphQL, Neo4j covers Native Graph Storage.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Dgraph and Neo4j actually diverge.

Attributes where Dgraph and Neo4j differ
AttributeDgraphNeo4j
PlatformsLinux, Mac, Docker, WebLinux, Windows, Mac, Docker, Web
Founded20162007

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
  • Geolocation Queries
  • Horizontal Scaling
  • Ratel UI
  • Slash GraphQL
  • Lambda Resolvers

Only in Neo4j

  • Native Graph Storage
  • Cypher Query Language
  • High Availability
  • Graph Data Science
  • Native Indexes
  • Spring Data
  • Apache Spark
  • Kafka

Both cover

  • ACID Transactions
  • Full-text Search
  • GraphQL
  • Linux support
  • Mac support
  • Docker support
  • Web support

What people use each for

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

Dgraph

  • Knowledge graphsnot Neo4j
  • Fraud detectionnot Neo4j
  • Recommendation enginesnot Neo4j
  • Network analysisnot Neo4j
  • Master data managementnot Neo4j

Neo4j

  • Running a managed graph database on AWS, Azure or Google Cloudnot Dgraph
  • Building knowledge graphs and GraphRAG retrieval for AI applicationsnot Dgraph
  • Fraud detection, recommendations and supply chain analysis over connected datanot 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

Neo4j

  • AuraDB Free has no service availability SLA, no backups and no point-in-time recovery
  • AuraDB Free imposes limits on node and relationship counts and runs single-zone only
  • SSO authentication and role-based access control are excluded from AuraDB Free and AuraDB Professional, starting only at Business Critical at $146 per GB per month with a 2GB minimum cluster
  • AuraDB Professional starts at $65 per GB per month with a minimum 1GB cluster and caps at 128GB memory per instance
  • AuraDB Professional backups are daily with only 7-day retention, against 30 days on Business Critical
  • Customer managed keys and private endpoints are available only on AuraDB Virtual Dedicated Cloud, which is quote only with no published price
  • Change data capture, query log forwarding, secondaries and access to Neo4j Professional Services are excluded below the Business Critical tier
  • Support on AuraDB Free is community only and AuraDB Professional is best effort, with 24x7 one-hour response starting at Business Critical
  • AuraDB Virtual Dedicated Cloud is sold on prepaid contract terms with enterprise commercial negotiation rather than self-serve card payment

Pricing, plan by plan

Dgraph

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

Neo4j

Free
  • CommunityFree
    • Single database
    • Cypher queries
    • APOC library
  • AuraDB FreeFree
    • 50K nodes
    • 175K relationships
    • Cloud hosted
  • AuraDB Professional$65/month
    • Dedicated instance
    • Auto-scaling
    • Enterprise support

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 Neo4j if

  • You need native graph storage.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, Windows, Mac, Docker, Web.
  • You also want cypher query language.
Neo4j review

Questions people ask

Is Dgraph or Neo4j better?
Neither clearly leads. Dgraph starts at Free and Neo4j at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Dgraph or Neo4j?
Dgraph starts at Free and Neo4j at Free.
Does Dgraph or Neo4j run on more platforms?
Dgraph runs on Linux, Mac, Docker, Web. Neo4j runs on Linux, Windows, Mac, Docker, 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 Neo4j is typically brought in for.
What can Dgraph do that Neo4j cannot?
Dgraph covers Native GraphQL, Distributed Architecture, GraphQL Subscriptions, Geolocation Queries. Neo4j covers Native Graph Storage, Cypher Query Language, High Availability, Graph Data Science. Both handle ACID Transactions, Full-text Search, GraphQL, Linux support.
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