About Apache CouchDB
Apache CouchDB is an open source document database that stores data as JSON and talks over HTTP. It is known for syncing data between many servers and devices, including setups that work offline.
What it does
CouchDB exposes an HTTP API, so any client that can send web requests can read and write documents. Its replication protocol moves data between server clusters, mobile phones and web browsers. A single node works well for many projects, and a cluster can be added later without changing the API. Queries can use views, with optional MapReduce for retrieval.
Key features
- JSON documents with an HTTP API
- Multi-primary sync between servers and clients
- Single node or clustered setup
- Binary data support for attachments
- Optional MapReduce views
Who it's for
Teams that build offline-first mobile or web apps, and organizations that want to keep their data on their own servers. It also fits projects where data must sync between many locations.
Pricing and good to know
CouchDB is open source under the Apache 2.0 licence and free to download. Costs come from the servers or cloud machines you run it on, and from the time needed to operate a cluster. Its query style differs from SQL, so teams used to relational databases may need some time to adjust.
Highlights
- JSON documents accessed over HTTP
- Multi-primary sync between servers and devices
- Single node or clustered deployment
- Binary attachments stored with documents
- Optional MapReduce views for queries
