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Actian Zen

actian.com

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Spec score 8.4 #7 of 38 in Relational Databases

What it is

Actian Zen is an embedded database for managing data from edge devices through on-premises and cloud applications. Its lightweight engine combines relational storage, native vector search, semantic queries, and connectivity for AI agents. Vector search supports up to 1 million vectors, while hybrid queries combine relational filters with semantic similarity. A native MCP server allows agents such as ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini to query local data. Zen supports SQL through ODBC and JDBC, and NoSQL through Btrieve and Btrieve 2 APIs. Semantic search, vector queries, and agent workflows can run offline, including in air-gapped environments. Zen Enterprise is designed for embedded, on-premises, and cloud deployments, including branch and remote field settings, and supports Windows, Linux, macOS, Intel, ARM, VMware, Hyper-V, and Docker. Zen Mobile supports Android and iOS with AES 256-bit encryption for stored data. Edge supports over 100 concurrent users; Enterprise is designed for thousands. A 30-day trial is available, with paid pricing from $417/mo (annual).

Spec sheet

Product
Actian Zen is an embedded database for edge-to-cloud data management that combines relational data, vector search, semantic queries, and AI-agent connectivity in a lightweight engine.Read 7 Oct 2026 · actian.com
Deployment
Zen Enterprise is described for embedded, on-premises, and cloud applications, including branch and remote field environments.Read 7 Oct 2026 · actian.com
Trial
Actian says its Zen Embedded database trial downloads are full versions with a 30-day temporary license; the downloads page lists v13 packages.Read 7 Oct 2026 · actian.com
Integrations
The product page says Zen Enterprise integrates with existing ERP, point-of-sale, and accounting applications.Read 7 Oct 2026 · actian.com
Support
Actian Support Services says technical expertise, guidance, and knowledge are available 24/7.Read 7 Oct 2026 · actian.com
Headquarters
Santa Clara, California, United StatesRead 28 Sep 2026 · actian.com
Founded
1980Read 28 Sep 2026 · actian.com
AI agents
The Zen product page says it includes a native MCP server for AI agents such as ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini to query local data.Read 7 Oct 2026 · actian.com
AI and vector search
Zen supports native vector search for up to 1 million vectors and hybrid queries that combine relational filters with semantic similarity.Read 7 Oct 2026 · actian.com
Audit and backups
Actian describes Audit Master as capturing database access and changes in an audit trail, and Backup Agent as supporting continuous backups and an embeddable API.Read 7 Oct 2026 · actian.com
Company security
Actian’s Trust Center lists SOC 2 Type II for Actian Data Platform and Data Intelligence Platform and ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certification for Actian Data Intelligence Platform and Actian Corporation.Read 7 Oct 2026 · actian.com
Interfaces
Zen supports both SQL and NoSQL access; the Enterprise datasheet lists ODBC and JDBC for SQL and Btrieve and Btrieve 2 APIs for NoSQL.Read 7 Oct 2026 · actian.com
Mobile support
Zen Mobile is an embedded database for Android and iOS and its datasheet lists AES 256-bit encryption for data at rest.Read 7 Oct 2026 · actian.com
Offline use
Zen supports local data processing and describes semantic search, vector queries, and AI-agent workflows running offline, including in air-gapped environments.Read 7 Oct 2026 · actian.com
Platform support
The Enterprise datasheet lists Windows, Linux, macOS, Intel and ARM, VMware, Hyper-V, and Docker deployments.Read 7 Oct 2026 · actian.com
Replication and encryption
Actian says its DataExchange replication solution synchronizes Zen databases in real time and uses built-in 256-bit encryption.Read 7 Oct 2026 · actian.com
User capacity
The Zen product page says Zen Edge supports over 100 concurrent users and Zen Enterprise is designed for thousands of concurrent users.Read 7 Oct 2026 · actian.com

Plans and prices

Actian Zen Priced on request Public pricing not stated; book a demo or contact Actian for product information Read 7 Oct 2026 · actian.com

Every Actian Zen plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Native vector search for up to 1 million vectors
  • Hybrid relational and semantic queries
  • Offline and air-gapped processing support
  • SQL and NoSQL interfaces
  • Android and iOS mobile database

Limits

  • No free plan
  • Paid plans start at $417/mo annually
  • Enterprise capacity and features may require higher tier
  • 30-day trial uses a temporary license

Who it suits

Zen suits teams needing an embedded database across edge, mobile, on-premises, or cloud environments. It also fits applications requiring offline processing, vector search, SQL and NoSQL interfaces, or AI-agent access.

Verdict

Actian Zen combines embedded relational data management with vector, semantic, offline, and AI-agent capabilities. Its broad deployment and interface support is useful when one database must span edge, mobile, and cloud settings, but there is no free plan and pricing starts at $417/mo annually.

Where Specifiction places it

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