List of the Top 16 Distributed Databases for Linux in 2025

InterSystems IRIS is a cloud-centric data platform that functions as a versatile database management system, an application development environment, an interoperability framework, and an open analytics solution. It provides a range of APIs enabling users to handle transactional persistent data across various formats, including key-value pairs, relational and object structures, documents, and multidimensional data. Users can manage this data using several programming languages, such as SQL, Java, Node.js, .NET, C++, Python, as well as the native ObjectScript language for server-side applications. With an integrated interoperability engine and modules specifically designed for developing AI applications, InterSystems IRIS enhances functionality and integration capabilities. Additionally, it supports horizontal scalability through methods like sharding and ECP, alongside High Availability options that encompass business intelligence, robust transaction support, and comprehensive backup solutions. This multifaceted approach positions InterSystems IRIS as a leading choice for organizations seeking to optimize their data management and application development processes.

Objectivity/DB, also known as Object Database Management System, is a highly scalable and distributed ODBMS renowned for its exceptional performance in managing complex data and various object relationships. It serves as an efficient graph database, supporting both standard data retrieval and advanced navigational queries through its specialized DO query language. Designed to provide a unified logical view of its data, Objectivity/DB can operate on a single machine or be distributed across an extensive network of up to 65,000 machines, allowing for seamless interconnection among them. Furthermore, it is compatible with both 32-bit and 64-bit processors across multiple operating systems, including Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X. The system supports a wide range of APIs, such as C++, C#, Java, and Python, ensuring that all platforms and languages can interact with one another effortlessly. For instance, a C++ application running on Linux can successfully store objects that can later be accessed by a Java application operating on Mac OS X, showcasing the versatility and interoperability of Objectivity/DB in diverse computing environments. In summary, Objectivity/DB stands out as a powerful tool for organizations needing to manage complex data structures while maintaining high performance and scalability.

What contributes to the platform independence of eXtremeDB? It features a hybrid data storage approach, allowing for configurations that are entirely in-memory or fully persistent, as well as combinations of both, unlike many other IMDS databases. Additionally, eXtremeDB incorporates its proprietary Active Replication Fabric™, enabling not only bidirectional replication but also multi-tier replication, which can optimize data transfer across various network conditions through built-in compression techniques. Furthermore, it offers flexibility in structuring time series data by supporting both row-based and column-based formats, enhancing CPU cache efficiency. eXtremeDB can operate as either a client/server architecture or as an embedded system, providing adaptable and speedy data management solutions. With its design tailored for resource-limited, mission-critical embedded applications, eXtremeDB is utilized in over 30 million deployments globally, ranging from routers and satellites to trains and stock market operations, showcasing its versatility across diverse industries.

RavenDB stands out as an innovative NoSQL Document Database. It ensures full transactional support (ACID compliance) across both your database and within your cluster. Our open-source distributed database is designed for high availability and exceptional performance while requiring minimal administrative effort. As an all-encompassing database solution, it simplifies usage, which in turn enhances developer productivity and accelerates project timelines without the need for additional tools or support. Within just a few minutes, you can set up and secure a data cluster, deploying it in the cloud, on-premises, or in a hybrid configuration. RavenDB also provides a Database as a Service, enabling you to hand over all database management to us, allowing you to focus entirely on your application development. With RavenDB's proprietary storage engine, Voron, you can achieve remarkable speeds of up to 1,000,000 reads and 150,000 writes per second on a single node. This capability significantly boosts your application's performance while relying on standard commodity hardware, making it a powerful choice for developers. Additionally, RavenDB's seamless integration fosters an environment where teams can innovate rapidly and efficiently.

Apache Trafodion functions as a SQL-on-Hadoop platform tailored for webscale, aimed at supporting transactional and operational tasks within the Hadoop ecosystem. By capitalizing on Hadoop's built-in scalability, elasticity, and flexibility, Trafodion reinforces its features to guarantee transactional fidelity, enabling the development of cutting-edge big data applications. Furthermore, it provides extensive support for ANSI SQL and facilitates JDBC and ODBC connectivity for users on both Linux and Windows platforms. The platform ensures distributed ACID transaction protection across multiple statements, tables, and rows, while also optimizing performance for OLTP tasks through various compile-time and run-time enhancements. With its ability to efficiently manage substantial data volumes, supported by a parallel-aware query optimizer, developers can leverage their existing SQL knowledge, ultimately enhancing productivity. Additionally, Trafodion upholds data consistency across a wide range of rows and tables through its robust distributed ACID transaction mechanism. It also maintains compatibility with existing tools and applications, showcasing its neutrality toward both Hadoop and Linux distributions. This adaptability positions Trafodion as a valuable enhancement to any current Hadoop infrastructure, augmenting both its flexibility and operational capabilities. Ultimately, Trafodion's design not only streamlines the integration process but also empowers organizations to harness the full potential of their big data resources.

AntDB, developed by AsiaInfo Technologies, is a distributed relational database designed for optimal performance in both online transaction processing and online analytical processing. This cutting-edge database serves over 1 billion subscribers across 24 provinces in China, efficiently handling vast amounts of business data related to calls, internet access, payments, and billing. Thanks to its cloud-native architecture, AntDB provides seamless scalability, data consistency, and high availability across various data centers. Complying with SQL2016 standards, it easily integrates with numerous domestic platforms, including leading CPUs and operating systems. The system is equipped with features such as automatic high availability, online elastic capacity expansion, and kernel-level read/write splitting, which enhance its ability to manage traffic during peak periods effectively. Its proven success in various sectors, including telecommunications, finance, transportation, and energy, highlights AntDB's adaptability and reliability in different business environments. Consequently, this database remains essential for strengthening the digital infrastructure that supports these critical industries, making it a valuable asset in today's data-driven world.

ScyllaDB is an exemplary database solution tailored for applications that require exceptional performance and low latency, specifically addressing the needs of data-heavy operations. It enables teams to leverage the increasing processing power of contemporary infrastructures, effectively eliminating barriers to scaling as data volumes grow. Unlike traditional database systems, ScyllaDB is a distributed NoSQL database that ensures complete compatibility with both Apache Cassandra and Amazon DynamoDB, while also featuring innovative architectural advancements that enhance user experience at significantly lower costs. More than 400 pioneering companies, such as Disney+ Hotstar, Expedia, FireEye, Discord, Zillow, Starbucks, Comcast, and Samsung, depend on ScyllaDB to meet their complex database challenges. In addition to its robust capabilities, ScyllaDB is available in multiple formats, including a free open-source edition, a fully-supported enterprise version, and a managed database-as-a-service (DBaaS) that operates across various cloud platforms, providing flexibility to suit a wide array of user requirements. This adaptability not only positions ScyllaDB as a leading choice but also encourages organizations to enhance their database performance and efficiency in an increasingly data-driven landscape.

Greenplum Database® is recognized as a cutting-edge, all-encompassing open-source data warehouse solution. It shines in delivering quick and powerful analytics on data sets that can scale to petabytes. Tailored specifically for big data analytics, the system is powered by a sophisticated cost-based query optimizer that guarantees outstanding performance for analytical queries on large data sets. Operating under the Apache 2 license, we express our heartfelt appreciation to all current contributors and warmly welcome new participants to join our collaborative efforts. In the Greenplum Database community, all contributions are cherished, no matter how small, and we wholeheartedly promote various forms of engagement. This platform acts as an open-source, massively parallel data environment specifically designed for analytics, machine learning, and artificial intelligence initiatives. Users can rapidly create and deploy models aimed at addressing intricate challenges in areas like cybersecurity, predictive maintenance, risk management, and fraud detection, among many others. Explore the possibilities of a fully integrated, feature-rich open-source analytics platform that fosters innovation and drives progress in numerous fields. Additionally, the community thrives on collaboration, ensuring continuous improvement and adaptation to emerging technologies in data analytics.

An enterprise-grade database designed for handling time series, documents, and vectors. It allows for the storage of diverse data types while merging the ease and scalability of NoSQL with the capabilities of SQL. CrateDB stands out as a distributed database that executes queries in mere milliseconds, no matter the complexity, data volume, or speed of incoming data. This makes it an ideal solution for organizations that require rapid and efficient data processing.

To sustain uninterrupted operations, businesses need effective solutions for improving system functionality, accelerating data processing, and guaranteeing reliable storage. In-memory technologies have proven to be valuable assets in tackling these issues. For over ten years, Tarantool has played a pivotal role in helping organizations worldwide develop intelligent caches, data marts, and detailed client profiles while maximizing server efficiency. This strategy not only cuts down storage costs related to credential management compared to standalone solutions but also enhances the overall service quality and security for client applications. Moreover, it reduces data management expenses by decreasing the number of independent systems that store customer identities. By examining user behavior and data insights, businesses can increase sales through faster and more precise product or service recommendations. Furthermore, improving the performance of mobile and web platforms can lead to a significant decrease in user drop-off rates. In larger companies, IT systems frequently operate within a closed network loop, which can create vulnerabilities as data flows without sufficient safeguards. Therefore, it is crucial for organizations to implement comprehensive strategies that not only protect their data but also optimize system performance and reliability. This dual focus can lead to enhanced customer trust and long-term business success.

Couchbase sets itself apart from other NoSQL databases by providing an enterprise-level, multicloud to edge solution that is packed with essential features for mission-critical applications, built on a platform known for its exceptional scalability and reliability. This distributed cloud-native database functions effortlessly within modern, dynamic environments, supporting any cloud setup, from customer-managed to fully managed services. By utilizing open standards, Couchbase effectively combines the strengths of NoSQL with the familiar aspects of SQL, which aids organizations in transitioning smoothly from traditional mainframe and relational databases. Couchbase Server acts as a flexible, distributed database that merges the relational database advantages, such as SQL and ACID transactions, with the flexibility of JSON, all while maintaining high-speed performance and scalability. Its wide-ranging applications serve various sectors, addressing requirements like user profiles, dynamic product catalogs, generative AI applications, vector search, rapid caching, and much more, thus proving to be an indispensable resource for organizations aiming for enhanced efficiency and innovation. Additionally, its ability to adapt to evolving technologies ensures that users remain at the forefront of their industries.

Neo4j's graph platform is crafted to enable users to maximize the potential of data and its interconnections. By utilizing Neo4j, developers can build smart applications capable of navigating the vast, interconnected datasets of today in real-time. This platform features a native graph storage engine coupled with a processing engine that enhances its capabilities. Furthermore, it offers distinctive, actionable insights through a user-friendly, adaptable, and secure database environment, making it an essential tool for modern data analysis.

JanusGraph is recognized for its exceptional scalability as a graph database, specifically engineered to store and query vast graphs that may include hundreds of billions of vertices and edges, all while being managed across a distributed cluster of numerous machines. This initiative is part of The Linux Foundation and has seen contributions from prominent entities such as Expero, Google, GRAKN.AI, Hortonworks, IBM, and Amazon. It offers both elastic and linear scalability, which is crucial for accommodating growing datasets and an expanding user base. Noteworthy features include advanced data distribution and replication techniques that boost performance and guarantee fault tolerance. Moreover, JanusGraph is designed to support multi-datacenter high availability while also providing hot backups to enhance data security. All these functionalities come at no cost, as the platform is fully open source and regulated by the Apache 2 license, negating the need for any commercial licensing fees. Additionally, JanusGraph operates as a transactional database capable of supporting thousands of concurrent users engaged in complex graph traversals in real-time, ensuring compliance with ACID properties and eventual consistency to meet diverse operational requirements. In addition to online transactional processing (OLTP), JanusGraph also supports global graph analytics (OLAP) through its integration with Apache Spark, further establishing itself as a versatile instrument for analyzing and visualizing data. This impressive array of features makes JanusGraph a compelling option for organizations aiming to harness the power of graph data effectively, ultimately driving better insights and decisions. Its adaptability ensures it can meet the evolving needs of modern data architectures.

Tailored for managing extraordinarily large graphs with latency in the millisecond range, this graph database actively interacts with its community to enhance its preparation, promotion, and visibility. Nebula Graph guarantees secure access through role-based access control, permitting entry only to verified users. The database accommodates a variety of storage engines and features a flexible query language, which facilitates the addition of new algorithms. By delivering low latency for both reading and writing operations, Nebula Graph achieves high throughput, effortlessly managing even the most complex data sets. Its distributed architecture, designed with a shared-nothing approach, allows for linear scalability, making it an excellent option for growing enterprises. The user-friendly, SQL-like query language is robust enough to tackle intricate business challenges. With capabilities such as horizontal scalability and the ability to take snapshots, Nebula Graph ensures high availability, even amidst system failures. Additionally, notable companies like JD, Meituan, and Xiaohongshu have successfully integrated Nebula Graph into their operational frameworks, demonstrating its dependability and performance in practical scenarios. This broad utilization underscores the database's proficiency in fulfilling the requirements of extensive data management while also promoting continuous improvement and innovation within the community.

A Kudu cluster organizes its information into tables that are similar to those in conventional relational databases. These tables can vary from simple binary key-value pairs to complex designs that contain hundreds of unique, strongly-typed attributes. Each table possesses a primary key made up of one or more columns, which may consist of a single column like a unique user ID, or a composite key such as a tuple of (host, metric, timestamp), often found in machine time-series databases. The primary key allows for quick access, modification, or deletion of rows, which ensures efficient data management. Kudu's straightforward data model simplifies the process of migrating legacy systems or developing new applications without the need to encode data into binary formats or interpret complex databases filled with hard-to-read JSON. Moreover, the tables are self-describing, enabling users to utilize widely-used tools like SQL engines or Spark for data analysis tasks. The user-friendly APIs that Kudu offers further increase its accessibility for developers. Consequently, Kudu not only streamlines data management but also preserves a solid structural integrity, making it an attractive choice for various applications. This combination of features positions Kudu as a versatile solution for modern data handling challenges.

Rqlite is an efficient and user-friendly distributed relational database that builds on the strengths of SQLite. It guarantees high availability and resilience without the typical complications associated with such systems. By integrating SQLite’s intuitive design with a dependable, strong framework, rqlite emerges as a solution tailored for developers. Users can initiate operations in just seconds, eliminating the need for complex configurations. This database seamlessly integrates into contemporary cloud infrastructures and is founded on SQLite, the most prevalent database in use worldwide. It includes functionalities like full-text search, Vector Search, and support for JSON documents, addressing diverse data requirements. Additionally, it enhances security through access controls and encryption, ensuring safe deployments. The platform is further strengthened by exhaustive automated testing protocols that certify its reliability. Clustering features boost its availability and fault tolerance, while the automatic node discovery feature simplifies the clustering setup, enhancing user experience. With this array of attributes, rqlite presents itself as an excellent option for developers who desire both simplicity and dependability in their database solutions, making it a powerful tool for modern applications.