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Database & Data Management · head to head

DynamoDB vs Neo4j

DynamoDB logo

DynamoDB

Database & Data Management

Fast, flexible NoSQL database service for any scale

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Neo4j logo

Neo4j

Database & Data Management

The world's leading graph database

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Neo4j has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: DynamoDB noSQL-only; does not support complex relational queries or SQL joins; Neo4j auraDB Free has no service availability SLA, no backups and no point-in-time recovery
  • They diverge on capability: DynamoDB covers Single-digit Millisecond Latency, Neo4j covers Native Graph Storage.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which DynamoDB and Neo4j actually diverge.

Attributes where DynamoDB and Neo4j differ
AttributeDynamoDBNeo4j
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelusage-basedfreemium
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsAWSLinux, Windows, Mac, Docker, Web
CategoryDatabase & Data ManagementUnknown
Founded20062007

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated).

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 DynamoDB

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

Only in Neo4j

  • Native Graph Storage
  • Cypher Query Language
  • ACID Transactions
  • High Availability
  • Graph Data Science
  • Full-text Search
  • Native Indexes
  • GraphQL

Both cover

  • Web support

What people use each for

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

DynamoDB

  • High-scale, variable-workload applicationsnot Neo4j
  • Mobile and IoT device backendsnot Neo4j
  • Real-time analytics and dashboardsnot Neo4j
  • Multi-region, globally distributed applicationsnot Neo4j

Neo4j

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

Where each one falls short

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

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

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

DynamoDB

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the DynamoDB review.

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 DynamoDB if

  • You need single-digit millisecond latency.
  • You work on AWS.
  • You also want serverless.
DynamoDB 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 DynamoDB or Neo4j better?
Neither clearly leads. DynamoDB starts at On request and Neo4j at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, DynamoDB or Neo4j?
Neo4j has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for DynamoDB and Free for Neo4j.
Does DynamoDB or Neo4j run on more platforms?
DynamoDB runs on AWS. Neo4j runs on Linux, Windows, Mac, Docker, Web.
Can I use Neo4j for free?
Yes. Neo4j has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. DynamoDB starts at On request.
What is DynamoDB best used for?
DynamoDB is most often used for high-scale, variable-workload applications, mobile and iot device backends, real-time analytics and dashboards, multi-region, globally distributed applications. Of those, high-scale, variable-workload applications and mobile and iot device backends are not what Neo4j is typically brought in for.
What can DynamoDB do that Neo4j cannot?
DynamoDB covers Single-digit Millisecond Latency, Serverless, Auto-scaling, Global Tables. Neo4j covers Native Graph Storage, Cypher Query Language, ACID Transactions, High Availability. Both handle Web support.
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