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SPECIFICTION
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EJDB2

github.com

Free plan WindowsmacOSLinuxiOSAPISelf-hosted
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Spec score 8.5 #4 of 30 in Embedded Databases

What it is

EJDB2 is a free, MIT-licensed JSON database engine implemented as a C library for embedding in applications. It stores data in a single file, using the IOWOW persistent key/value storage engine. Its JQL query language supports filtering, data modification, collection joins, projections, sorting, indexes, and options to skip, limit, or count results; online backup is also listed. For network access, the standalone jbs server provides HTTP REST and WebSocket endpoints. The server supports TLS 1.2, can require an access token in the X-Access-Token HTTP header, and offers a write-ahead-log option for durability. EJDB2 provides a C11 API and lists macOS, iOS, Linux, Windows, and self-hosted availability. The repository links to language bindings and tags the project with C, Dart, Flutter, Java, Node.js, React Native, and Swift, but its changelog says only Java and Node.js bindings are maintained after a 2025 cleanup. The project README says its issues tracker is disabled and welcomes contributions and pull requests. The listed plan is EJDB2 at free.

Spec sheet

Product
EJDB2 is an embeddable JSON database engine written as a C library.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
API
EJDB2 provides a C11 API.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Security
The jbs server supports TLS 1.2 and can require an access token in the X-Access-Token HTTP header.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Support
The project README says its issues tracker is disabled and welcomes contributions and pull requests.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
License
The repository describes EJDB2 as published under the MIT license.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Authentication
The network API example starts the server with an access token and sends it in the X-Access-Token request header.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Backups
The project lists support for online backups.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Bindings
The repository links to native language bindings and tags the project with C, Dart, Flutter, Java, Node.js, React Native, and Swift.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Durability
The jbs server offers a write-ahead-log option for data durability.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Joins
The project supports joins between collections.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Maintained bindings
The project changelog says that after its 2025 cleanup, only the Java and Node.js bindings are maintained.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Network access
The project provides HTTP REST and WebSocket endpoints through IWNET.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Query capabilities
JQL supports filtering, data modification, projections, sorting, and query options such as skip, limit, and count.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Query features
JQL supports collection joins, projections, sorting, indexes, and query options such as skip, limit, and count.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Query language
Its JQL query language is inspired by XPath and Unix shell pipes and is designed for querying and updating JSON documents.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Storage
The project lists a single-file database powered by IOWOW, a persistent key/value storage engine.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Support and contributions
The repository says its issues tracker is disabled and welcomes contributions through pull requests.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Supported platforms
The README lists macOS, iOS, Linux, and Windows as supported platforms and says the core was tested on Linux, macOS, and FreeBSD.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com

Plans and prices

EJDB2 Free MIT-licensed open-source database engine Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com

Every EJDB2 plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Single-file storage uses the IOWOW engine.
  • JQL supports joins, indexes, sorting, and filtering.
  • Online backup support is listed.
  • The jbs server provides REST and WebSocket endpoints.
  • MIT-licensed and available at free.

Limits

  • Only Java and Node.js bindings are maintained.
  • The issues tracker is disabled.
  • Network access uses the standalone jbs server.

Who it suits

EJDB2 suits developers who want an embeddable JSON database and can work with its C API or maintained Java and Node.js bindings. It may also fit projects needing a standalone REST or WebSocket endpoint.

Verdict

EJDB2 offers an embeddable document database with a broad JQL feature set and optional network access through jbs. Developers should note the limited set of maintained bindings and disabled issues tracker.

Where Specifiction places it

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