JanusGraph
JanusGraph: A flexible self-hosted graph engine with broad storage and indexing options. Ranked #11 of 39 in Graph Databases by our editors (7.8/10); pricing: Free plan; best for highly customizable distributed graph storage.
At a glance
- Editor score7.8 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forHighly customizable distributed graph storage
- Free planYes
- Paid fromFree
- DeploymentSelf_hosted
- Founded2017
- Facts checked22 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Distributed storage across multiple machines
- Gremlin queries with embedded JVM and remote server options
- Broad storage, indexing, and analytics integrations
Where it doesn't
- Self-hosted deployment leaves infrastructure operations to the team
- ACID transaction behavior varies by storage backend
- Gremlin is the primary query language
Our verdict on JanusGraph
JanusGraph is an open-source distributed graph database engine for very large property graphs. It is designed for teams that need to store and query connected data across multiple machines, with support for real-time traversals, transactional processing, indexing, analytics, and batch workloads. Applications can embed it in JVM software or connect remotely through JanusGraph Server using Apache TinkerPop’s Gremlin protocol. Its free, self-hosted model suits organizations that want control over deployment and storage architecture.
The main strength is ecosystem flexibility. JanusGraph can use Apache Cassandra, Apache HBase, Google Cloud Bigtable, Oracle Berkeley DB Java Edition, or ScyllaDB for storage. Search options include Elasticsearch, Apache Solr, and Apache Lucene, while Apache Hadoop and Apache Spark support analytics and batch processing. Graph and vertex-centric indexes, schema and index management APIs, and full-text, geographic, and numeric-range indexing give teams several ways to shape performance and querying around their workload. That breadth is useful when an organization already operates one of these technologies, though it also makes architecture choices and operational planning part of adoption.
JanusGraph is strongest for engineering teams comfortable running distributed infrastructure and selecting a backend that matches their transaction and scale requirements. ACID behavior depends on that choice: Berkeley DB can be configured for ACID transactions, while Cassandra and HBase deployments are not generally ACID. Teams seeking a managed graph service, a simpler deployment path, or a different primary query model should look elsewhere. Choose JanusGraph when customizable storage, Gremlin, and self-hosted control matter more than turnkey operations.
Your product? Our editors can test JanusGraph in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →
JanusGraph pricing
JanusGraph fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| Deployment | Self_hosted |
| Query languages | Gremlin |
| ACID transactions | Yes |
| Graph algorithms | Yes |
| Vector search | Not verified |
| Included storage | Not verified |
| Deployment | Self-hosted |
| Support | Docs, Community |
| Built for | Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 11 integrations: Apache Cassandra, Apache HBase, Google Cloud Bigtable, Oracle BerkeleyDB, ScyllaDB, Elasticsearch … |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | janusgraph.org |
| Facts checked | 22 Sep 2026 |
JanusGraph integrations
JanusGraph lists 11 integrations on its own site.
- Apache Cassandra
- Apache HBase
- Google Cloud Bigtable
- Oracle BerkeleyDB
- ScyllaDB
- Elasticsearch
- Apache Solr
- Apache Lucene
- Apache Hadoop
- Apache Spark
- Apache TinkerPop
Alternatives to JanusGraph
- Neo4jA broad graph platform spanning managed cloud, self-managed deployments, analytics, and AI.9.4
- Amazon NeptuneA managed AWS graph service with broad query, resilience, analytics, and AI connectivity.9.2
- Apache HugeGraphA self-hosted graph platform combining transactional storage, analytics, and graph-AI tooling.9.0
See all JanusGraph alternatives →
Also Ranked In
JanusGraph is ranked in 2 of our directories.
Used JanusGraph? Be the first to review it
The editor score above is our own research. What this page doesn't have yet is a reader's view — what you used JanusGraph for, what worked and what didn't. No stars are seeded and no review is paid for; an editor reads every one before it appears.
Write a reviewTwo minutes · verified accounts only · read by an editor before it appears
Featured on iTechGuides
JanusGraph is listed in our Graph Databases directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.
<a href="https://www.itechguides.com/products/janusgraph/"><img src="https://www.itechguides.com/best/badge/janusgraph.svg" alt="Featured on iTechGuides" width="230" height="46"></a>
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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.
Last updated · How we research and update