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Head-to-head · In-Memory Databases

Apache Ignite vs Infinispan

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 1 check side by side
Higher score Apache Ignite #2 in In-Memory Databases 9.2/10 Open source ✓ 0 of 4 features Visit Apache Ignite
Infinispan #3 in In-Memory Databases 9.0/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 4 features Visit Infinispan

Apache Ignite leads on 0 checks, Infinispan on 0, and 1 is even. Who comes out ahead on the 1 yes/no, price and count check where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreApache Ignite · 9.2/10
  • Free planonly Infinispan

Apache Ignite scores higher on our rubric for in-memory databases: 9.2 against 9.0 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #3.

Apache Ignite is the better fit for open-source distributed SQL and in-memory systems. Infinispan is the better fit for java-centric clustered caching and search.

  • Apache Ignite fits best

    Open-source distributed SQL and in-memory systems

  • Infinispan fits best

    Java-centric clustered caching and search

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Apache Ignite 9.2/10 Visit ↗ Infinispan 9.0/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.2 9.0
Ranking #2 in In-Memory Databases #3 in In-Memory Databases
Best for Open-source distributed SQL and in-memory systems Java-centric clustered caching and search
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Open source Free plan
Free plan Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Free trial — —
Deployment Self-hosted Cloud, Self-hosted
Support Community, Docs, Email Community, Docs
Integrations 4 integrations 9 integrations
Built for Mid-market, Enterprise Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Apache Ignite 0/4 · Infinispan 0/4
Data persistence Not checked yet Not checked yet
High availability Not checked yet Not checked yet
SQL support Not checked yet Not checked yet
Vector search Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Deployment Not checked yet Not checked yet
Included memory Not checked yet Not checked yet
Supported data models Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Memory-first SQL with optional in-memory and persistent storage
  • ACID transactions, replication, clustering, and distributed compute
  • JDBC, ODBC, REST, Spring Data, and native client connectivity
  • Cross-site replication supports geographically distributed clusters.
  • Transactions, persistence, expiration, and multiple search modes are built in.
  • Spring, Quarkus, Kubernetes, and OpenShift integrations broaden deployment fit.
Cons
  • Ignite 2 and Ignite 3 require a generation choice
  • TTL support differs between Ignite 2 and Ignite 3
  • Distributed deployment requires architecture and operational planning
  • Self-hosted operation places deployment and administration responsibility on teams.
  • The broad feature set may exceed the needs of simple caching workloads.
  • Its strongest ecosystem fit is centered on Java and related platforms.
Our verdict

Apache Ignite is an open-source, memory-first distributed SQL database for mission-critical, high-velocity applications. It suits teams building distributed services that need SQL and key-value access, ACID transactions, persistent or…

Read the review →

Infinispan is an open-source distributed in-memory database and caching platform for applications that need low-latency data access, clustered operation, persistence, and replication across data centers. It can run as an embedded Java…

Read the review →
  1. Apache IgniteIn-Memory Databases 9.2Open source
  2. InfinispanIn-Memory Databases 9.0Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Apache Ignite — where it wins

    • Memory-first SQL with optional in-memory and persistent storage
    • ACID transactions, replication, clustering, and distributed compute
    • JDBC, ODBC, REST, Spring Data, and native client connectivity

    Where it doesn't

    • Ignite 2 and Ignite 3 require a generation choice
    • TTL support differs between Ignite 2 and Ignite 3
    • Distributed deployment requires architecture and operational planning

  • Infinispan — where it wins

    • Cross-site replication supports geographically distributed clusters.
    • Transactions, persistence, expiration, and multiple search modes are built in.
    • Spring, Quarkus, Kubernetes, and OpenShift integrations broaden deployment fit.

    Where it doesn't

    • Self-hosted operation places deployment and administration responsibility on teams.
    • The broad feature set may exceed the needs of simple caching workloads.
    • Its strongest ecosystem fit is centered on Java and related platforms.

More comparisons

All In-Memory databases comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update