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Open-Source Databases · TuGraph-family

tugraph-db

TuGraph is an open-source graph database written in C++ that handles large-scale graph data with ACID transactions and Cypher query support. It holds LDBC SNB performance benchmarks and supports embedded graph analytics, bulk import, and stored procedures in C++/Python.

Source: GitHub — github.com/TuGraph-family/tugraph-db
1.7k
GitHub stars
214
Forks
C++
Primary language
Apache-2.0
License (OSI-approved)

Key facts

Objective fields from the source. Values we can't verify are shown as “Unknown” rather than guessed.

FieldValue
RepositoryTuGraph-family/tugraph-db
OwnerTuGraph-family
Primary languageC++
LicenseApache-2.0 — OSI-approved
Stars1.7k
Forks214
Open issues179
Latest releasev4.5.2 (2025-03-13)
Last updated2026-05-11
Sourcehttps://github.com/TuGraph-family/tugraph-db

What tugraph-db is

Labeled property graph database with full ACID serializable transactions, OpenCypher query API, embedded graph analytics framework, multi-index support (full-text, primary, secondary), and stored procedure APIs. Written in C++; supports Python bindings. Claims to process millions of vertices per second and scale to tens of terabytes.

Quickstart

Get the tugraph-db source

Clone the repository and explore it locally.

terminalbash
git clone https://github.com/TuGraph-family/tugraph-db.gitcd tugraph-db# follow the project's README for install & configuration

Need it deployed, integrated, or customized instead? DEV.co ships production installs.

Best use cases

Large-scale graph analytics and traversal

When you need sub-second traversal of millions of vertices with embedded graph computing algorithms and low-latency lookups on multi-terabyte datasets.

OLTP graph queries with ACID guarantees

Applications requiring serializable transactions on property graphs, such as knowledge graphs, fraud detection, or relationship networks where consistency is critical.

Bulk data ingestion and graph analytics pipelines

Scenarios involving fast bulk import, combined with analytical queries over complex relationships and custom graph algorithms via C++/Python stored procedures.

Implementation considerations

  • Requires C++ compilation; Docker images provided for CentOS7 and Ubuntu. Building from source involves CMake and dependency management via deps/build_deps.sh.
  • OpenCypher API is primary query language; requires learning Cypher syntax and understanding graph traversal patterns specific to property graph model.
  • Stored procedures use C++ or Python; integrating custom analytics requires either C++ compilation or Python scripting knowledge.
  • LDBC SNB benchmark results claimed (2022/9/1); no independent third-party benchmarks, performance audits, or production deployment case studies provided in data.
  • 179 open issues as of data snapshot; active development but no SLA or support model documented beyond community contribution.

When to avoid it — and what to weigh

  • Simple key-value or document storage needs — TuGraph is specialized for graph queries; if your data is primarily documents or key-value pairs without complex relationship traversal, a simpler database will be more appropriate.
  • Real-time streaming ingestion at extreme scale — While TuGraph supports bulk import, no documentation provided on real-time streaming capabilities or performance guarantees for continuous high-throughput inserts.
  • Windows-native or proprietary cloud-only deployments — Build instructions recommend Linux (CentOS7, Ubuntu). No mention of Windows support or managed cloud services outside Aliyun partnership.
  • Multi-tenant or highly isolated deployment models — No documentation provided on multi-tenancy, role-based isolation, or compliance-focused operational modes.

License & commercial use

Licensed under Apache License 2.0 (Apache-2.0), an OSI-approved permissive open-source license allowing commercial use, modification, and distribution with attribution and liability disclaimers.

Apache-2.0 explicitly permits commercial use without restrictions on proprietary software or service offerings. However, no commercial support, SLA, liability framework, or indemnification mentioned in provided data. Evaluate your risk tolerance and consider separate commercial support or service agreements if deploying in mission-critical environments.

DEV.co evaluation signals

Editorial assessment — not user reviews. Directional, with an explicit confidence level.

SignalAssessment
MaintenanceActive
DocumentationAdequate
License clarityClear
Deployment complexityModerate
DEV.co fitGood
Assessment confidenceHigh
Security considerations

No security audit results, vulnerability disclosure policy, or threat model provided. C++ codebase increases surface area for memory-safety issues. No encryption at rest/in-transit explicitly mentioned. Authentication, authorization, and row-level security details not visible in README. Conduct threat modeling and code review before deploying to sensitive environments. Monitor GitHub security advisories.

Alternatives to consider

Neo4j

Mature, widely-adopted graph database with commercial support, stronger operational tooling, and larger ecosystem. Higher licensing costs for enterprise features; trade-off is risk reduction and vendor support.

Amazon Neptune

Managed graph database with AWS integration, automatic scaling, and professional support. Vendor lock-in and higher operational cost; suitable if AWS ecosystem is already in use.

JanusGraph

Open-source, distributed graph database with pluggable storage backends. Requires managing backend storage and more operational complexity; better for multi-data-center deployments.

Software development agency

Build on tugraph-db with DEV.co software developers

Review the deployment architecture, conduct a security audit, and test with your data before production use. Consider our consulting services for architecture review, performance tuning, and integration planning.

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tugraph-db FAQ

What query language does TuGraph use?
OpenCypher, a standard graph query language. Cypher is familiar to Neo4j users but requires learning if you're coming from SQL or other paradigms.
Can I use TuGraph in production commercially?
Yes, Apache-2.0 permits commercial use. However, no commercial support model is documented. Evaluate your risk tolerance and consider contracting separate support or performing security audits.
What are the system requirements for deployment?
Linux (CentOS7, Ubuntu) is recommended; Docker images are available. No Windows support mentioned. For source builds, C++17 compiler and CMake are required. Exact hardware requirements not documented.
How does TuGraph compare to Neo4j on performance?
TuGraph claims LDBC SNB world record (2022). However, no independent benchmarks or side-by-side comparisons with Neo4j are provided. Benchmark results may not reflect your specific workload; testing with your data is advised.

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