Overview
Dgraph is a distributed graph database written in Go that uses GraphQL as its native query language. Unlike other graph databases that added GraphQL support later, Dgraph is built around GraphQL from the ground up, making it ideal for modern API-first applications. The database is designed for horizontal scalability and low-latency queries.
Dgraph's use of GraphQL makes it particularly appealing for developers building modern web and mobile applications who want a graph database that speaks the same language as their frontend. The database handles sharding, replication, and transactions automatically.
Key Features
**Native GraphQL**: GraphQL as the query language**Distributed**: Automatic sharding and replication**DQL**: Dgraph Query Language for advanced queries**ACID Transactions**: Full transaction support**Type System**: Strong typing with GraphQL schema**Real-Time Subscriptions**: Live data updates**Multi-Tenancy**: Built-in tenant isolation**Encryption**: At-rest and in-transit encryptionWhen to Use Dgraph
Dgraph is ideal for:
GraphQL-first applicationsModern web and mobile appsApplications requiring real-time graph updatesDistributed graph deploymentsTeams familiar with GraphQLMulti-tenant SaaS applicationsPros
Native GraphQL is developer-friendlyGood performance and scalabilityOpen-source with active developmentStrong type systemReal-time subscriptionsModern architectureGood for distributed deploymentsMulti-tenancy built-inCons
Smaller community than Neo4jGraphQL not ideal for all graph queriesLimited graph algorithms compared to Neo4jLess mature than established alternativesSmaller ecosystemDocumentation could be betterFewer enterprise featuresLimited cloud offeringsPricing
**Open Source**: Free to self-host**Dgraph Cloud**: Free tier + usage-based**Enterprise**: Custom pricing**Dedicated**: Managed instances available