Fluree DB

Fluree DB is a temporal graph database that represents data as RDF triples and keeps a verifiable history of changes. Each transaction is cryptographically signed and added to an immutable ledger, and users can query that history over time. The database combines graph data with full-text and vector search. Attribute-, role-, and relationship-based rules are evaluated at query time, down to individual triples.

Fluree provides SPARQL, FlureeQL, and REST interfaces, along with MCP server configuration, LangChain integration, and a LlamaIndex connector. Official SDKs are listed for JavaScript/TypeScript, Python, and Java. It is distributed as a static binary without a JVM or external dependencies, with Docker, Homebrew, shell, PowerShell, and source-build options. The Free plans include FlureeDB Open Source at no cost and Fluree AI at no cost. Fluree uses the Business Source License 1.1; commercial licensing is available by contacting the company.

Fluree DB brings graph data, search, and temporal history into one database, with several interfaces and deployment routes. Review the Business Source License terms and plan details to determine which option fits your use.

Fluree DB suits developers and teams building applications around graph data, queryable history, or fine-grained data policies. Its listed APIs, SDKs, integrations, and deployment options support both local and managed use.

Fluree DB is a temporal graph database for teams that need linked data, searchable history, and fine-grained access control in one system. Its standards support and flexible deployment options make it a strong fit for data-intensive applications; the Business Source License 1.1 and custom-priced enterprise plan call for careful licensing and cost decisions.

Overview

Fluree Core combines RDF graph storage, an immutable transaction ledger, search, and access policies in a single binary. Every transaction is cryptographically signed and appended to the ledger, and the resulting history remains queryable. That makes Fluree a natural choice when an application needs to ask not only what the data says now, but how it changed over time.

Access policies can be attribute-, role-, or relationship-based and are evaluated at query time down to individual triples. That granularity can suit applications with different users or services seeing different parts of a graph, but it also makes policy design part of the application architecture. Fluree follows W3C standards including JSON-LD, RDF, SPARQL, OWL, and SHACL; it supports SPARQL 1.1, reasoning, RDF-star, federated queries, and JSON-LD, Turtle, N-Triples, N-Quads, and TriG formats.

Key features

• Temporal, verifiable data: Signed transactions and queryable ledger history give teams a built-in basis for provenance and time-based queries, rather than a current-state-only view.
• Graph data plus search: Full-text and vector search sit alongside graph queries and time travel. This is useful for applications that need those capabilities together, though teams seeking only a simple graph store may not need the broader feature set.
• Fine-grained policy controls: Attribute-, role-, and relationship-based rules operate at individual-triple granularity when queries run. The precision is valuable for controlled data access, while requiring deliberate policy planning.
• Broad interfaces and connectors: SPARQL, FlureeQL, REST, MCP server configuration, LangChain, and a LlamaIndex connector provide several ways to connect applications. Connectors cover PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQL Server, Oracle, MongoDB, Salesforce, HubSpot, ServiceNow, Workday, SAP, Snowflake, Databricks, BigQuery, and REST APIs.
• Deployment and audit: The static binary has no JVM or external dependencies and can be installed with Docker, Homebrew, shell installation, PowerShell, or source builds. Queries, mutations, and policy evaluations are captured in a tamper-evident log; enterprise plans can integrate Splunk, Datadog, and Elastic.
• Managed security and compliance: Managed deployments use TLS 1.2+ in transit and AES-256 at rest, with customer-managed keys via AWS KMS, GCP Cloud KMS, or Azure Key Vault. Fluree says its architecture supports SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA under a BAA on Enterprise plans, and GDPR/UK GDPR through EU data residency; SOC 2 Type II attestation is in progress for Q3 2026. Vulnerability reports receive a response within one business day.

Pricing

Fluree has two free entry points and an Enterprise plan with custom pricing. The free tiers lower the barrier to evaluation, but Fluree is available under the Business Source License 1.1; teams should review its terms and contact Fluree about commercial licensing before choosing a deployment for commercial use.

The free plans do not publish seat counts, quotas, or renewal terms, so teams should confirm any limits relevant to a production workload. Enterprise pricing requires a direct quote, making cost comparison dependent on the deployment and services required.

Platforms

Fluree supports API, Linux, macOS, self-hosted, web, and Windows environments. Official SDKs and libraries are listed for JavaScript/TypeScript, Python, and Java. Its single-binary distribution and several installation routes give teams options across local development and managed or private deployments.

Who it's for

Fluree is best suited to developers and organizations building graph applications where historical state, provenance, fine-grained data access, and search belong together. Its standards-based interfaces and connectors are a practical advantage for teams integrating with existing databases and business systems. It is a less direct fit for buyers who need straightforward licensing terms, a published enterprise price, or a basic graph database without the added policy and temporal model.

Pros and cons

• Pro: Signed, queryable history is integrated with the graph database, supporting applications that need to retain and query past states.
• Pro: Triple-level policies and a broad set of standards and interfaces give developers precise access controls and multiple integration paths.
• Pro: A static binary without a JVM or external dependencies, alongside Docker, Homebrew, shell, and PowerShell installation options, supports varied deployment workflows.
• Con: Business Source License 1.1 terms require review, and commercial licensing involves contacting Fluree.
• Con: Enterprise pricing is custom, and free-plan seat counts, quotas, and renewal terms are not published, making budget and capacity planning less straightforward.
• Con: Fine-grained policies offer control but add design work for teams that must maintain distinct access rules across data.

Alternatives

For a wider comparison, browse RDF Databases.

• BrightstarDB is another free option with a free plan and support across Android, API, iOS, Linux, macOS, self-hosted, and Windows environments.
• GraphDB is a freemium alternative whose free plan includes a Lucene connector, one parallel query, and five repositories; GraphDB 11+ requires a free license.
• RedStore is a free, self-hosted option under GPL-3.0-or-later.
• Tentris offers a free community plan with a single-core license, in-memory storage, community support, SPARQL 1.1 and RDF 1.1 support, and transactions; the plan is suited to readers comfortable with those constraints.
• Apache Jena Fuseki is a free, self-hosted server under Apache License 2.0.
• Apache Rya is a free open-source project distributed as source and a Maven artifact.
• Dydra has a free Basic use plan with limited resources; public evaluation accounts are capped at five queries per second and one million statements per repository.
• Eclipse RDF4J is a free open-source Java framework whose latest release requires Java 25 or newer.

Verdict

Choose Fluree DB when your application needs graph data, searchable temporal history, and triple-level access control in one system, particularly if standards support and deployment flexibility matter. Its integrated ledger and policy model are the clearest reasons to choose it. Look elsewhere if you need uncomplicated commercial licensing or predictable enterprise costs before engaging with the vendor.