Top 18 free and widely used, open source NoSQL databases

NoSQL databases
NoSQL is a new breed of database management systems that fundamentally differ from
relational database systems. These databases do not require tables with a fixed set of columns,
avoid JOINs and typically support horizontal scaling. They are also referred to as structured
storage. Here is a list of free and widely used top NoSQL databases:

Free and popular NoSQL databases

MongoDB

This highly scalable and agile NoSQL database is an amazing performing system. This open
source database written in C++ comes with storage that is document oriented. Also, you will be
provided with benefits like full index support, high availability across WANs and LANs along
with easy replication, horizontal scaling, rich queries that are document based, flexibility in data
processing and aggregation along with proper training, support, and consultation.

Redis

This is an open source, key-value store of an advanced level. Owing to the presence of hashes,
sets, strings, sorted sets and lists in a key; Redis is also called as a data structure server. This
system will help you in running atomic operations like incrementing value present in a hash, set
intersection computation, string appending, difference and union. Redis makes use of in-memory
dataset to achieve high performance. Also, this system is compatible with most of the
programming languages.

Couch DB

Couch DB Couch DB is an Apache project and a really powerful database for JSON based web
applications. This database provides a really powerful API to store JSON objects as documents in
the database. You can use JavaScript to run MapReduce Queries on CouchDB. It also provides a
very convenient web-based administration console. This database could be really handy for web
applications.

RavenDB

RAVENDB is a second generation open source DB. This DB is document oriented and schema-
free such as you simply have to dump in your objects into it. It provides extremely flexible and
fast queries. This application makes scaling extremely easy by providing out-of-the-box support
for replication, multi-tenancy, and sharding. There is full support for ACID transactions along
with the safety of your data. Easy extensibility via bundles is provided along with high
performance.
MemcacheDB

This is a distributed storage system of key value. It should not be confused with a cache solution;
rather, it is a persistent storage engine which is meant for data storage and retrieval in a fast and
reliable manner. Confirmation to Memcache protocol is provided for. The storing backend that is
used is the Berkeley DB which supports features like replication and transaction.

Riak

This is one of the most powerful, distributed databases ever to be introduced. It provides for easy
and predictable scaling and equips users with the ability for quick testing, prototyping and
application deployment so as to simplify development.

Neo4j

This is a NoSQL graph database which exhibits a high level of performance. It comes well
equipped with all the features of a robust and mature system. It provides the programmers with a
flexible and object-oriented network structure and allows them to enjoy all the benefits of a
database that is fully transactional. Compared to RDBMS, Neo4j will also provide you with
performance improvements on some of the applications.

HBASE

HBase can be easily considered as a scalable, distributed and a big data store. This database can
be used when you are looking for real-time and random access to your data. It comes with
modular and linear scalability along with reads and writes that are strictly consistent. Other
features include Java API that has easy client access, table sharding that is configurable and
automatic, Bloom filters and block caches and much more.

Perst

This is an object-oriented DBMS that is open source and has a dual license. With this, you will
be able to store, sort and retrieve data in your applications with low overhead storage and
memory and very high speed.

HyperGraphDB

This is an open source data storage system that is extensible, distributed, general purpose,
portable and embeddable. Basically, this is a graph database which is mostly meant for AI,
Semantic web projects and knowledge representation; it can also handle Java projects of different
sizes.

Cassandra
Cassandra In case you are looking for high availability and scalability without compromising on
performance, then Cassandra database is the thing for you. It is a perfect data platform
characterized by fault tolerance and linear scalability along with best in class replication support.

Voldemort

This is an automatically replicating distributed storage system. It provides for automatic

partitioning of data, transparent handling of server failure, pluggable serialization, independence
of nodes and versioning of data items along with support for data distribution across various
centers.

Terrastore

This is a modern document store that facilitates elasticity features and high scalability without
compromising on consistency. This system is based on a fast, clustering technology that is
industry proven. It can support deployments that are single or multi clustered and can be
accessed through HTTP protocol.

NeoDatis

NeoDatis is an object database that is simple to use and can run with Google Android, .Net,
Groovy, Java, and Scala. It will help you do away with the impedance mismatch between
Relational worlds and objects. Integrating NeoDatis ODB with your business will allow you to
focus on logic along with single line code storage and retrieval of data.

MyOODB

If you are serious about web development and application, you cannot do without MyOODB.
This is an application and database framework which gives you the power to bring back object-
oriented design to web development.

OrientDB

This is a NoSQL DBMS that is open source and having the features of both Graph DBMSs and
Document. It is an amazingly fast system that can store more than a hundred thousand records on
common hardware, every second. It is highly secure with pretty straightforward usage.

InfoGrid

This is a web graph database having a lot of additional software components. This is an open
source system which helps in easy development of full web applications that are based on a
graph foundation.

Db4objects
This is an object database that is open source and can be used with .Net and Java. It helps the
developers in storing and retrieving an object using a single line of code. This also helps in the
elimination of predefining or maintaining a separate data model.

The NoSQL databases are really highly scalable and good for large data storage and processing.
However, these may not be always the best choice for you. NoSQL databases are still not the best
option for mission-critical transaction needs.