Apache CouchDB
Open-source document database with an HTTP/JSON API and built-in multi-primary replication.
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- Alternatives ranked
- 6
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About Apache CouchDB
Apache CouchDB is a self-hosted NoSQL database that stores JSON documents and is accessed entirely over HTTP, so any language or tool that can make web requests can talk to it. Its standout feature is replication: copies of a database on different servers, laptops or phones can sync with each other in both directions and catch up after going offline, which makes it a common base for offline-first apps. The companion PouchDB library brings the same protocol to web browsers. It runs as a single node or as a cluster, uses an append-only storage format that survives crashes well, and ships with the Fauxton web admin interface. CouchDB is free under the Apache License 2.0, maintained by the Apache Software Foundation, with packages for Linux, Windows and macOS. There is no official managed cloud from the project, and its query model takes adjusting to if you come from SQL.
Best for: Teams building offline-first or multi-site apps that need reliable two-way data sync on their own servers..
Pros and cons
What works
- Two-way replication between servers, devices and browsers (via PouchDB) is built in
- Plain HTTP/JSON API works from any language without a special driver
- Free Apache-licensed software with crash-resistant storage and clustering
Why people leave
- No official managed hosting from the project; you run and operate it yourself
- Querying and indexing via Mango or MapReduce views is less flexible than SQL
- Smaller ecosystem and hosting market than MongoDB or PostgreSQL
Top Apache CouchDB alternatives
See all 6- 1
Firebase79.8Managed realtime database with offline sync in mobile SDKs, if you'd rather not run servers.
- 2
MongoDB Atlas68.8The most popular document database, with a managed cloud and richer querying, though sync is not built the same way.
- 3
PocketBase61.8A single-file open-source backend with auth and realtime updates, simpler to self-host.
- 4
Azure Cosmos DB59.4Managed multi-region document database with multi-write replication, for teams on Azure.
- 5
SurrealDB57.5Open-source multi-model database that also handles documents and realtime queries.
Why people left Apache CouchDB
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Apache CouchDB: common questions
Is Apache CouchDB free?
Yes. Apache CouchDB is free, open-source software.
Is Apache CouchDB open source?
No, Apache CouchDB is not open source. Open-source alternatives include PocketBase and Supabase.
What platforms does Apache CouchDB run on?
Apache CouchDB is available for Linux, Windows, macOS and Self-hosted.
What are the best alternatives to Apache CouchDB?
The highest-ranked Apache CouchDB alternatives right now are Firebase, MongoDB Atlas and PocketBase. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.