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eXist-db

exist-db.org

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Spec score 8.8 #4 of 28 in Document Databases

What it is

eXist-db is a free, open-source NoSQL document database and application platform centered on XML. Its native engine stores textual or binary documents without requiring a database schema, and it is designed for self-hosted deployment on Linux, macOS, or Windows. The product implements XQuery 3.1, though some features and functions are unsupported, and RESTXQ lets developers deploy RESTful services from XQuery annotations. Its interfaces include REST-style HTTP, SOAP, XML-RPC, and WebDAV. A browser-based IDE provides syntax coloring, code completion, and error checking for application artifacts. Full-text search uses an implementation-specific Apache Lucene approach rather than the W3C XQuery and XPath Full Text 3.0 specification. Security extends Unix permissions with access control lists and external authentication realms. The software is licensed under the LGPL for academic, non-commercial, and commercial use. The documentation lists Java 8 for versions 3.x–6.x or Java 21 for version 7.x, about 500 MB of disk space, and at least 512 MB of memory.

Spec sheet

Product
eXist-db is a NoSQL document database and application platform built around XML.Read 5 Oct 2026 · exist-db.org
Platforms
The installation documentation says eXist-db runs on systems that run Java, including recent Linux, macOS, and Windows systems.Read 5 Oct 2026 · exist-db.org
Deployment
The installer documentation describes installation on Linux, macOS, and Windows, and says eXist-db can run as a background service.Read 5 Oct 2026 · exist-db.org
Integrations
Its WebDAV interface works with compatible clients including Windows Explorer, macOS Finder, oXygen XML Editor, and LibreOffice.Read 5 Oct 2026 · exist-db.org
Security
Its security system uses a Unix permissions model extended with access control lists and supports external authentication realms.Read 5 Oct 2026 · exist-db.org
Support
eXist Solutions offers consulting, training, application development, system setup, production monitoring, and individual SLAs on request.Read 5 Oct 2026 · exist-db.org
License
eXist-db is open source software licensed under the LGPL and may be used in academic, non-commercial, and commercial applications.Read 5 Oct 2026 · exist-db.org
Headquarters
Lenzkirch, GermanyRead 28 Sep 2026 · exist-db.org
Founded
2001Read 28 Sep 2026 · exist-db.org
Application development
The product includes a browser-based IDE with syntax coloring, code completion, and error checking for managing and editing application artifacts.Read 5 Oct 2026 · exist-db.org
Community
The project says its development has been community-driven since it became open source in 2001.Read 5 Oct 2026 · exist-db.org
Data model
The database stores textual or binary data and documents without requiring a database schema.Read 5 Oct 2026 · exist-db.org
Database model
Its native XML database engine stores textual or binary data and documents without requiring a database schema.Read 5 Oct 2026 · exist-db.org
Development
It includes a browser-based IDE with syntax coloring, code completion, and error checking.Read 5 Oct 2026 · exist-db.org
Interfaces
The documentation lists REST-style HTTP, SOAP, XML-RPC, and WebDAV interfaces.Read 5 Oct 2026 · exist-db.org
Organization
The legal notice names eXist Solutions GmbH and lists its address in Lenzkirch, Germany.Read 5 Oct 2026 · exist-db.org
Programming
eXist-db implements XQuery 3.1, with some unsupported features and functions.Read 5 Oct 2026 · exist-db.org
Release
The homepage lists version 6.4.1 as the latest stable release and provides Docker images and Maven artifacts for that version.Read 5 Oct 2026 · exist-db.org
Requirements
The installation documentation lists Java 8 for eXist-db 3.x–6.x and Java 21 for 7.x, plus about 500 MB of disk space and at least 512 MB of memory.Read 5 Oct 2026 · exist-db.org
Search
Its implementation-specific full-text search uses Apache Lucene, and the documentation says it does not currently support the W3C XQuery and XPath Full Text 3.0 specification.Read 5 Oct 2026 · exist-db.org
Security caveat
The Java binding is disabled by default; the documentation warns that enabling it can let users inspect the system or run destructive server code.Read 5 Oct 2026 · exist-db.org
Security limitation
The documentation says stored passwords are hashed using RIPEMD-160.Read 5 Oct 2026 · exist-db.org
System requirements
The documentation lists about 500 MB of disk space and at least 512 MB of memory, and specifies Java 8 for versions 3.x–6.x or Java 21 for version 7.x.Read 5 Oct 2026 · exist-db.org
Web services
eXist-db implements RESTXQ for deploying RESTful services from XQuery code annotations.Read 5 Oct 2026 · exist-db.org
XQuery
eXist-db implements XQuery 3.1, with some features and functions unsupported.Read 5 Oct 2026 · exist-db.org

Plans and prices

eXist-db Free Open source · available for academic, non-commercial, and commercial applications Read 5 Oct 2026 · exist-db.org

Every eXist-db plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Stores text and binary documents without a schema.
  • Implements XQuery 3.1 and RESTXQ.
  • Includes a browser-based IDE.
  • Supports REST-style HTTP, SOAP, XML-RPC, and WebDAV.
  • LGPL use covers commercial applications.

Limits

  • Some XQuery 3.1 features are unsupported.
  • Full-text search does not implement W3C Full Text 3.0.
  • Requires Java and at least 512 MB memory.
  • Stored passwords use RIPEMD-160 hashing.

Who it suits

It suits developers building XML-centered applications who want a self-hosted database with XQuery and RESTXQ support. Operators should be prepared to meet the Java and memory requirements for their version.

Verdict

eXist-db combines XML document storage, application tooling, and web interfaces in a self-hosted package. Its XQuery gaps, search implementation, and version-specific Java requirements are important fit considerations.

Where Specifiction places it

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