GraphDB

GraphDB is a semantic graph database using RDF and SPARQL to connect business data and support real-time AI insights. It applies reasoning and semantic search to connected information. Both Free and Enterprise editions support RDF 1.1, SPARQL 1.1, RDF-Star, SPARQL-Star, and reasoning for RDFS, OWL 2 RL, and OWL 2 QL. Listed AI capabilities include GraphRAG, MCP support, no-code RAG chat in Workbench, precision entity linking, and natural-language graph queries from LangChain. Integrations include MongoDB, Kafka, JDBC, GraphQL, SQL-accessible data virtualization, and connectors for Lucene, Elasticsearch, and Solr. GraphDB Free carries a single-core license. Starting with version 11.0.0, every edition requires a valid license, which can be requested for free. Enterprise can be licensed for twelve or more cores and adds capabilities such as parallel query processing, cluster failover, synchronization, and load balancing. It is available on-premise or as a 12-core cluster SaaS through AWS Marketplace and Microsoft Azure Marketplace. GraphDB Free is listed as free.

GraphDB pairs semantic graph capabilities with a broad set of listed AI features and integrations. The single-core Free edition and license requirement are important constraints to weigh against Enterprise's scaling options.

GraphDB may suit teams connecting business data for semantic querying and AI applications. Its Free edition has a single-core license, while Enterprise supports larger deployments and additional scaling features.

GraphDB is a standards-based semantic graph database for organizations that need to connect fragmented data and derive relationships through inference. It suits knowledge-graph, data-integration, and AI retrieval teams comfortable with RDF and SPARQL. The free edition is a practical way to develop and evaluate a graph, while production-scale concurrency requires Enterprise licensing.

Overview

GraphDB combines RDF storage, SPARQL querying, ontology modeling, semantic reasoning, and graph visualization in one system. Real-time inferencing and semantic search can expose connections that are not explicitly recorded, making it a better fit for governed, relationship-rich data than for applications needing only simple key-value or document storage.

Graphwise was formed in 2024 through the combination of Semantic Web Company and Ontotext. Its offices include Vienna, Sofia, London, New York, and Basel, with main offices in Sofia, Vienna, and New York City.

Key features

Free and Enterprise support RDF 1.1, SPARQL 1.1, RDF-Star, SPARQL-Star, and reasoning with RDFS, OWL 2 RL, and OWL 2 QL. That standards coverage supports portable semantic models and inferred relationships. SPARQL is the query language, so teams without RDF expertise face a steeper learning curve than they would with a general-purpose database.

Import support spans Turtle, Turtle-star, N-Triples, N-Quads, JSON-LD, NDJSON-LD, RDF/JSON, RDF/XML, TriX, TriG-star, and BinaryRDF. GraphRAG, MCP support, no-code RAG chat in Workbench, precision entity linking, and LangChain natural-language graph queries extend the database toward AI retrieval and exploration. These features are most relevant when answers must be grounded in connected enterprise entities rather than isolated documents.

Connections to MongoDB, Kafka, JDBC, GraphQL, SQL-accessible data virtualization, Lucene, Elasticsearch, and Solr can reduce the need to move every source into one pipeline. Enterprise adds concurrent loading, querying and inference, parallel query processing, cluster failover, synchronization, and load balancing, which directly address busy or highly available deployments.

Pricing

GraphDB Free

free. The single-core license is suitable for learning, prototyping, smaller repositories, and low-concurrency services. From GraphDB 11.0.0 onward, even this edition requires a valid license, although the license can be requested at no cost. Community support is included.

GraphDB Enterprise

Custom pricing, licensed for 12 or more cores. Enterprise is the relevant choice for sustained parallel workloads, clustered resilience, synchronization, and load balancing. It is available on-premise from Graphwise and its partners; a 12-core cluster edition is also offered as SaaS through AWS Marketplace and Microsoft Azure Marketplace. Community support remains available, with an optional commercial SLA for organizations that need contractual assistance.

Platforms

GraphDB supports API, Linux, macOS, self-hosted, web, and Windows use. Downloads include a Windows MSI, macOS Apple Silicon and Intel DMGs, Linux RPM and DEB packages, and a platform-independent server distribution. Deployment can be self-hosted or managed through the Enterprise marketplace cluster offering.

Who it's for

Choose GraphDB for knowledge-graph programs, semantic data integration, ontology-driven applications, and AI retrieval projects that benefit from standards and inference. Free is well suited to evaluation and single-core workloads. Enterprise fits teams that need at least 12 cores, concurrent operations, failover, and balancing across a cluster. It is a poor match for buyers seeking a conventional relational workflow, a low-cost horizontally scalable tier below 12 cores, or a product with straightforward published Enterprise pricing.

Pros and cons

• Pros: broad RDF and SPARQL standards support; reasoning across RDFS and OWL profiles; extensive import formats; AI-oriented GraphRAG, MCP, entity-linking, and natural-language query options; connectors covering streaming, databases, APIs, and search engines; Windows, macOS, Linux, web, and API access.
• Cons: Free is restricted to one core; all editions require a valid license from version 11.0.0; Enterprise starts at 12 cores and uses custom pricing; commercial SLA support is an extra option rather than part of the base comparison.

Alternatives

For a broader application-development platform with mobile and web support and a free one-environment plan, consider Mendix instead. Neo4j is an alternative with a free managed AuraDB tier and self-hosted deployment. Choose AllegroGraph if a free allowance of up to five million triples is the deciding constraint. HASH suits teams wanting a free knowledge-workspace tier with file storage and scraping allowances. LinkedDataHub is a free, Apache 2.0 self-hosted option. Oxigraph is a free Apache-2.0 or MIT implementation with support available separately. Protégé is free and open source with OWL 2 support for ontology work. RDF Studio is a free semantic data workspace without stated price or usage limits.

See the Knowledge Graph Software roundup for more options.

Verdict

GraphDB is a strong choice for teams building standards-based knowledge graphs whose value depends on inference, semantic search, and AI-connected data. Start with Free for single-core development and validation; move to Enterprise when concurrency, failover, and cluster operations justify a 12-core custom contract. Look elsewhere if you need a simpler database model or predictable low-end scaling without a license requirement.