TerminusDB
Open-source document graph database with Git-like version control
At a glance
- Editor scoreNot yet scored
- PricingFree plan
- Best forVersioned open-source document graphs
- Free planYes
- Paid fromNone
- Semantic reasoningYes
- Facts checked21 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Immutable commits, branching, merging, and time travel
- Supports RDF, JSON-LD, WOQL, GraphQL, and inference graphs
- Runs on the web, through an API, or self-hosted
Where it doesn't
- No SPARQL support
- Turtle and RDF/XML document interfaces are Enterprise features
- Built-in dashboard discontinued in v11.2
Our verdict on TerminusDB
TerminusDB is an open-source document graph database for developers and data teams building knowledge graphs and semantic data systems. It stores JSON documents as schema-enforced graph structures and also handles RDF and JSON-LD. Querying is available through WOQL datalog and GraphQL, while inference graphs support semantic reasoning. Deployment options include local Docker use, self-hosting, APIs, and DFRNT-hosted cloud environments. Its free plan makes it suitable for teams evaluating an open-source graph foundation.
Version control is the product’s clearest point of distinction. Immutable commits, branching, merging, synchronization, and time travel give teams a way to manage evolving graph data with a Git-like model. Visual schema modeling is available through DFRNT Hub, which also provides cloud collaboration. Import support covers CSV, JSON, JSON-LD, RDF/XML, and Turtle, giving teams several paths for bringing structured data into the system. These capabilities fit projects where schema evolution, historical states, and collaborative data modeling matter as much as graph storage.
TerminusDB is less suitable for teams whose workflows depend on SPARQL, the dominant query standard in this category. Its query layer centers on WOQL and GraphQL instead, so existing RDF teams may need to adapt their tooling and query patterns. The built-in dashboard was discontinued in TerminusDB v11.2, with visual modeling and cloud collaboration provided through DFRNT Hub. Turtle and RDF/XML document interfaces are Enterprise features. Choose TerminusDB for versioned, open-source document graphs with schema enforcement and branching; consider an alternative when SPARQL compatibility is a core requirement.
TerminusDB pricing
TerminusDB fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | None |
| Ontology modeling | Yes |
| Semantic reasoning | Yes |
| RDF/SPARQL support | No |
| Graph visualization | Yes |
| Import formats | CSV, JSON, JSON-LD, RDF/XML, Turtle |
| Deployment | Both |
| Query languages | WOQL, GraphQL |
| Deployment | Cloud, Self-hosted |
| Platforms | Web |
| Support | Community, Docs |
| Built for | Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | terminusdb.org |
| Facts checked | 21 Sep 2026 |
Alternatives to TerminusDB
- Neo4jA developer-focused property graph with broad tooling, cloud options, and AI-ready search.6.0
- ProtégéA strong free choice for OWL ontology work, with collaboration and reasoning options.—
- Progress SemaphoreA mature platform for ontology management, semantic enrichment, and enterprise knowledge graphs.8.0
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