Apache CouchDB vs PouchDB

Apache CouchDB is a free document database that stores named documents and lets applications read and update them through a RESTful HTTP API. Documents can contain fields and binary attachments without following a fixed schema. Its query engine supports views made with JavaScript map functions and optional reduce functions. Incremental replication synchronizes databases in both directions between peers, including after disconnections; the project describes this as useful for offline-first applications across servers, phones, and browsers. PouchDB can replicate with CouchDB from mobile devices and web browsers. A cluster can present one logical database across multiple servers or virtual machines for added capacity and high availability. CouchDB uses an append-only file design, and its documentation describes document updates as ACID and all-or-nothing. Security features include administrator accounts, basic and cookie authentication, reader access controls, and JavaScript validation of document updates. Replicas may retain conflicting revisions for manual or automated resolution. CouchDB is self-hosted on servers or virtual machines, as a single node or cluster, and is licensed under Apache License 2.0.

PouchDB is a free, open-source JavaScript database for storing application data locally and synchronizing it with CouchDB and compatible servers. It keeps data available offline and can sync local and remote databases after a connection returns. Its replication API can follow later changes and retry after connection failures when configured. PouchDB runs in browsers and Node.js, as well as Cordova, PhoneGap, NW.js, Electron, and Chrome apps. Browser storage defaults to IndexedDB, while Node.js defaults to LevelDB. Documents can include image or audio attachments stored as base64 data or Blobs. PouchDB includes a map/reduce API; Mango queries require the separate pouchdb-find plugin. Its asynchronous API supports callbacks, promises, and async functions, and the project names Angular, React, Ember, and Backbone as framework examples. Listed compatible servers include CouchDB 1.x, 2.x, and 3.x, Cloudant, and PouchDB Server. Replication requires a backend that speaks the CouchDB replication protocol. The project homepage says Apache PouchDB is undergoing incubation at the Apache Software Foundation.