RethinkDB
RethinkDB: A capable self-hosted JSON database for realtime apps, with no managed cloud or transactions. Ranked #20 of 28 in Document Databases by our editors (7.1/10); pricing: Free plan; best for real-time self-hosted JSON applications.
At a glance
- Editor score7.1 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forReal-time self-hosted JSON applications
- Free planYes
- Paid fromFree
- Facts checked22 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Realtime changefeeds push updated query results to applications
- Sharding, replication, failover, and high availability are built in
- Free, open-source deployment with TLS and user permissions
Where it doesn't
- No managed-cloud offering
- Transactions and vector search are not available
- Documented integrations are limited to Elasticsearch, RabbitMQ, and Rails
Our verdict on RethinkDB
RethinkDB is an open-source, distributed document database for developers building realtime web and mobile applications. It stores schemaless JSON documents and uses the chainable ReQL query language for queries, joins, aggregation, indexing, and data manipulation. Its strongest fit is a team that wants to run its own database infrastructure while pushing changing query results to applications through realtime changefeeds.
The standout capability is the changefeed model, which can push query updates as data changes rather than requiring applications to repeatedly check for updates. That feature sits alongside distributed sharding and replication, automatic failover, secondary, compound, geospatial, and computed indexes, plus web-based administration and cluster management. Hot backup and restore utilities add operational coverage, while built-in TLS network encryption and user permissions support protected deployments. RethinkDB can run on Linux, macOS, and Windows, with an API and documented third-party PaaS deployment options. Integrations include Elasticsearch, RabbitMQ, and Ruby on Rails.
RethinkDB is free and open source, with no paid plan structure to evaluate. Its published feature set covers the core needs of realtime JSON applications, including clustering, backups, queries, and encryption, but it is a narrower choice for teams requiring transactions, vector search, or a vendor-managed cloud service. The documentation recommends a 16 MB document limit for memory-performance reasons, despite stating there is no hard limit on document size. Choose RethinkDB when self-hosting and realtime updates are central requirements; choose an alternative when managed cloud operations, transactions, or vector search are necessary.
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RethinkDB pricing
RethinkDB fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| Deployment model | Both |
| Managed cloud | Not verified |
| Document formats | JSON, CSV |
| Transactions | Yes |
| Vector search | Not verified |
| Maximum document size | Not verified |
| Deployment | Cloud, Self-hosted |
| Platforms | Web, Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Support | Community, Docs |
| Built for | Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 5 integrations: Elasticsearch, RabbitMQ, Rails, Socket.io, SignalR |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | rethinkdb.com |
| Facts checked | 22 Sep 2026 |
RethinkDB integrations
RethinkDB lists 5 integrations on its own site.
- Elasticsearch
- RabbitMQ
- Rails
- Socket.io
- SignalR
Alternatives to RethinkDB
- MongoDB AtlasA managed MongoDB platform for production applications across cloud providers and regions.9.4
- Azure Cosmos DB for NoSQLA flexible Azure-native document database with global distribution and multiple throughput models.9.2
- Azure DocumentDBA feature-rich Azure document database with MongoDB compatibility and a free tier.9.0
See all RethinkDB alternatives →
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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