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Apache Ignite

ignite.apache.org

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Spec score 8.9 #3 of 31 in Key-Value Databases

What it is

Apache Ignite is a free, open-source, memory-first distributed SQL database for high-velocity workloads. It keeps data primarily in memory, with persistence available through AIPERSIST, and supports ACID transactions across partitions using Raft consensus. MVCC snapshot isolation enables non-blocking reads. SQL access includes JDBC drivers, a Table API and native APIs, while catalog-driven schema management allows column and index changes without stopping the cluster. DataStreamer handles high-throughput writes with backpressure control. Native clients are listed for Java, .NET, C++ and Python, alongside AWS, Azure, GCE and Spring extensions. Built-in operational capabilities include authentication, SSL/TLS security, OpenTelemetry metrics, recovery snapshots and backups. Listed uses include event stream processing, microservices state management, session management and AI/ML feature stores. Ignite is self-hosted and available through binary, source, Docker and Maven/Gradle options. The project identifies Ignite 2 as a long-term-support release recommended for existing deployments.

Spec sheet

What it does
Apache Ignite is a distributed database designed for high-performance computing with in-memory speed.Read 15 Oct 2026 · ignite.apache.org
Product
Apache Ignite describes itself as a memory-first distributed SQL database for high-velocity workloads.Read 9 Oct 2026 · ignite.apache.org
Deployment
Ignite can run on bare metal, virtual machines, Docker, Kubernetes and cloud environments, with thick and thin clients plus JDBC, ODBC and REST access.Read 15 Oct 2026 · ignite.apache.org
Integrations
The download page lists AWS, Azure, GCE, and Spring extensions, including Spring Cache and Spring Data extensions.Read 9 Oct 2026 · ignite.apache.org
Support
The project directs usage questions to its user mailing list and technical Q&A to Stack Overflow.Read 9 Oct 2026 · ignite.apache.org
License
The project source is licensed under the Apache License 2.0, with some bundled components under separate licenses.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
ACID transactions
The platform provides ACID transactions across partitions using MVCC snapshot isolation and distributed replication.Read 15 Oct 2026 · ignite.apache.org
Concurrency
MVCC snapshot isolation enables non-blocking reads.Read 9 Oct 2026 · ignite.apache.org
Data placement
Colocation annotations and distribution zones keep related data together and control replica placement.Read 15 Oct 2026 · ignite.apache.org
Distributed replication
Ignite replicates partitions through Raft groups with leaders and followers to provide durability and availability.Read 15 Oct 2026 · ignite.apache.org
Documentation
The documentation site provides quick starts and API references for Java, SQL, REST, C#/.NET, C++, Python, Node.js and PHP.Read 15 Oct 2026 · ignite.apache.org
In-place processing
Compute jobs can execute on nodes holding the relevant data to reduce network transfer.Read 15 Oct 2026 · ignite.apache.org
Integration modules
Documented integrations include Kafka, Kubernetes, Spark, Spring Data, AWS, Azure, GCE, ZooKeeper and REST HTTP.Read 15 Oct 2026 · ignite.apache.org
JDBC API
Ignite 3 ships a JDBC driver using class org.apache.ignite.jdbc.IgniteJdbcDriver for distributed SQL operations.Read 15 Oct 2026 · ignite.apache.org
Language support
Official materials list Java, .NET, C++, Python and SQL/CLI access.Read 15 Oct 2026 · ignite.apache.org
Languages
The project lists native clients for Java, .NET, C++, and Python.Read 9 Oct 2026 · ignite.apache.org
Latest release
The download page identifies Apache Ignite 2.18.0 as the latest 2.x release and lists its release date as 2026-04-26.Read 15 Oct 2026 · ignite.apache.org
Limit: Gartner complaints
Gartner reviewers report slow support responses, high RAM cost requiring optimization, and missing Delta and Apache Arrow integrations.Read 15 Oct 2026 · gartner.com
Limit: learning curve and documentation
G2 reviewers repeatedly describe a steep learning curve and documentation that could be easier to use.Read 15 Oct 2026 · g2.com
Limit: operational overhead
A G2 reviewer says distributed-cluster setup can outweigh the benefits for simple or small projects.Read 15 Oct 2026 · g2.com
Maker founded
The Apache Software Foundation was established in 1999.Read 15 Oct 2026 · linkedin.com
Maker headquarters
The Apache Software Foundation lists Wilmington, Delaware as its headquarters.Read 15 Oct 2026 · linkedin.com
Maker legal name
The Apache Software Foundation is a nonprofit software-development organization.Read 15 Oct 2026 · linkedin.com
Maker size
LinkedIn lists the foundation's company size as 5,001–10,000 employees.Read 15 Oct 2026 · linkedin.com
Memory-first storage
Ignite uses memory as its primary storage tier, with AIPERSIST for durable sub-millisecond storage and AIMEM for microsecond latency when durability is unnecessary.Read 15 Oct 2026 · ignite.apache.org
ODBC API
Ignite 2 includes an ODBC 3.0 driver for selecting and modifying distributed data with SQL.Read 15 Oct 2026 · ignite.apache.org
Praise: Gartner reviewers
Gartner's review summary highlights performance, scalability and ease of managing high-load applications.Read 15 Oct 2026 · gartner.com
Praise: performance and scale
G2 reviewers repeatedly praise Ignite's high performance, horizontal scalability and reduced latency.Read 15 Oct 2026 · g2.com
Pricing
The project publishes downloadable open-source software and does not list commercial subscription prices on its download page.Read 15 Oct 2026 · ignite.apache.org
Project history
The project page says GridGain donated Ignite’s core to the Apache Software Foundation in 2014.Read 9 Oct 2026 · ignite.apache.org
Rating on Capterra
4.7 out of 5 from 97 reviewsRead 15 Oct 2026 · capterra.com
Rating on G2
3.9 out of 5 from 17 reviewsRead 15 Oct 2026 · g2.com
Rating on Gartner Peer Insights
4.0 out of 5 from 2 ratingsRead 15 Oct 2026 · gartner.com
Rating on TrustRadius
8 out of 10 from 4 reviewsRead 15 Oct 2026 · trustradius.com
Release support
The download page identifies Ignite 2 as a long-term support release recommended for existing deployments.Read 9 Oct 2026 · ignite.apache.org
Schema changes
Catalog-driven schema management supports changes such as adding columns and modifying indexes without stopping the cluster.Read 9 Oct 2026 · ignite.apache.org
Schema evolution
Catalog-based schema management supports atomic schema changes without stopping the cluster.Read 15 Oct 2026 · ignite.apache.org
Security and operations
Built-in operational features include authentication and SSL/TLS security, OpenTelemetry metrics, and recovery snapshots and backups.Read 9 Oct 2026 · ignite.apache.org
Security controls
Ignite documents username/password authentication, authorization permissions, and SSL/TLS encryption for client and node communication.Read 15 Oct 2026 · ignite.apache.org
Self-hosting
Apache distributes source archives, binaries, Docker images, Git repositories and cloud images for running Ignite in users' environments.Read 15 Oct 2026 · ignite.apache.org
Spark integration
The Spark extension provides shared IgniteRDD and DataFrame access, with documented support for Spark versions 2.3, 2.4, 3.2 and 3.5.Read 15 Oct 2026 · ignite.apache.org
SQL and access
Ignite supports SQL through JDBC drivers, a Table API, and native APIs.Read 9 Oct 2026 · ignite.apache.org
Storage
Data is stored in memory as the primary tier, with persistence available through AIPERSIST.Read 9 Oct 2026 · ignite.apache.org
Streaming
The DataStreamer supports high-throughput writes with automatic backpressure and transaction-aware ingestion.Read 15 Oct 2026 · ignite.apache.org
System requirements
Ignite 3 documentation lists JDK 11 or later, Linux Debian or Red Hat variants or Windows 10/11, and x86 or x64 hardware.Read 15 Oct 2026 · ignite.apache.org
Transactions
Ignite supports ACID transactions across partitions using Raft consensus.Read 9 Oct 2026 · ignite.apache.org
Use cases
Listed use cases include event stream processing, microservices state management, session management, and AI/ML feature stores.Read 9 Oct 2026 · ignite.apache.org

Plans and prices

Apache Ignite Free Apache Ignite 3.1.0 download · Ignite 2 long-term support release · Binary, source, Docker, and Maven/Gradle options Read 9 Oct 2026 · ignite.apache.org

Every Apache Ignite plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Open-source and free
  • ACID transactions across partitions
  • Non-blocking MVCC reads
  • Schema changes without cluster stoppage
  • Clients for four languages

Limits

  • Self-hosted deployment required
  • Primary storage is memory-based
  • Ignite 2 is recommended for existing deployments

Who it suits

It suits teams needing a self-hosted distributed SQL database for streaming, microservices state, sessions or feature stores. Developers can use its listed language clients, SQL interfaces and clustering features.

Verdict

Apache Ignite combines in-memory performance, distributed transactions, SQL access and operational security features in a self-hosted package. Its persistence option, schema controls and language clients support varied distributed workloads.

Where Specifiction places it

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