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It's a split decision.
Choose Apache CouchDB when your application needs an HTTP/JSON database, open-source self-hosting, and replication that supports offline-first use across servers, phones, and browsers. Choose Couchbase when you want a managed Capella option, SQL++ and key-value access, or one platform combining storage, search, caching, analytics, and AI. CouchDB avoids a software subscription but leaves infrastructure to you. Couchbase has a free tier, with paid plans billed per node per hour.
01Side by side
| Apache CouchDB | Couchbase | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Free software; self-hosting infrastructure costs extra | Capella billed per node per hour |
| Free tier | Free to download and self-host | Capella Free: one node, 8GB |
| Open source and licence | Open source; exact licence not named | Open-source status not stated by vendor |
| Self-hosting | Run on your own servers | Self-host Couchbase Server |
| API and SDKs | HTTP/JSON API; no SDK languages named | SQL++; no SDK languages named |
| Integrations | PouchDB, HTTP proxies, and load balancers | No third-party integrations named |
| Deployment model | Single node or multi-server cluster | Cloud, data center, mobile, and edge |
| Platforms | Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, and mobile | Cloud, data center, mobile, and edge |
Apache CouchDB Choose Apache CouchDB if
- Choose Apache CouchDB if HTTP/JSON access is central to your application.
- Choose Apache CouchDB if you need replication for offline-first clients.
- Choose Apache CouchDB if you want open-source software you can self-host.
Couchbase Choose Couchbase if
- Choose Couchbase if you want a managed Capella database option.
- Choose Couchbase if SQL++ and key-value access fit your application.
- Choose Couchbase if one platform for search, caching, analytics, and AI fits your stack.
02Pricing at real usage
Apache CouchDB is free to download and self-host; monthly and annual software billing prices are not published. Your bill is infrastructure and operations you provide, rather than a CouchDB software subscription. Couchbase has a Capella Free tier with one node, 8GB, SQL++, key-value, search, and forum support. Paid Capella is priced per node per hour: Basic starts at $0.15, Developer Pro at $0.35, and Enterprise at $0.49. The listed minimums are one node for Basic and Developer Pro, and three for Enterprise. Capella backups add $0.07/GB per month in AWS N. Virginia; data-transfer fees vary and the pricing page says they are under 10% of most customers’ bills. Couchbase Server via cloud marketplaces starts at $0.66 per node per hour. Compare node count, storage, backup retention, and transfer when estimating production spend.
03API, SDKs and integration
CouchDB exposes an HTTP/JSON interface, so applications that send HTTP requests and handle JSON can integrate with it. Its homepage names compatibility with HTTP proxy servers and load balancers, and replication with PouchDB. The Couch Replication Protocol syncs across servers, mobile devices, and browsers; MapReduce is an optional query method. Couchbase combines storage, search, caching, analytics, and AI, and says teams can use existing SQL skills. Its product materials name SQL++ for Capella Free and Couchbase Server 8. The Couchbase homepage does not name language-specific SDKs, a CLI, or third-party integrations. CouchDB's homepage links to documentation but does not name SDK languages or a CLI either. Check the documentation for your target deployment and runtime to confirm client-library support and operational tooling before you commit.
04Open source, self-hosting and lock-in
Apache CouchDB is open source and can run on your own servers; its homepage also says data can be stored with leading cloud providers. The exact open-source licence is not named on the homepage. Couchbase is self-hostable, including Couchbase Server, and also sells managed Capella; its developer facts do not state an open-source status. CouchDB can run as a single node or cluster, while Couchbase offers a managed option alongside customer-run deployments. Neither product page specifies export formats or migration tools. Before choosing, ask how to export JSON and attachments, preserve indexes and replication state, and move workloads between self-hosted and managed deployments. For Couchbase, confirm whether your Capella features and data paths map to Server.
Questions people ask
Is Apache CouchDB free?
CouchDB is free to download and self-host, according to its pricing information. You still need to account for the infrastructure and operational work involved in running it. Monthly or annual software billing prices are not published.
Does Couchbase have a free tier?
Yes. Capella Free includes one node, 8GB, SQL++, key-value access, search, and forum support. Paid Capella plans are priced per node per hour, so estimate costs using the number of nodes and any storage, backup, or data-transfer charges your deployment needs.
Which database supports offline-first applications?
Both products describe support for mobile or edge use. CouchDB's Couch Replication Protocol syncs data across servers, mobile devices, and web browsers, supporting offline-first applications. Couchbase lists mobile sync and offline and edge environments, with Couchbase Mobile available under a request-pricing model.
Can I self-host CouchDB and Couchbase?
Yes. CouchDB can run as a single node or as a cluster on servers or VMs. Couchbase is also self-hostable, including Couchbase Server; its managed Capella service is another deployment option. Confirm the features and operating requirements for the specific deployment you plan to use.