ArangoDB vs Azure Cosmos DB: What are the differences?

Key Differences between ArangoDB and Azure Cosmos DB

Introduction:

ArangoDB and Azure Cosmos DB are two popular distributed NoSQL databases that offer different features and functionalities. Understanding the key differences between them can help in choosing the right database for specific use cases.

1. Data Models:

   • ArangoDB: ArangoDB uses a multi-model approach and supports document, key-value, and graph data models. It allows users to store and query data in a flexible manner according to their requirements.
   • Azure Cosmos DB: Azure Cosmos DB also supports multiple data models, including document, key-value, columnar, and graph data models. It provides the flexibility to choose the most suitable model for each workload or application.

2. Scaling and Partitioning:

   • ArangoDB: ArangoDB supports horizontal scaling through sharding, where data is divided into multiple shards distributed across multiple servers. It allows users to scale their database as per their needs.
   • Azure Cosmos DB: Azure Cosmos DB offers horizontal scaling and partitioning at a global scale. It uses a partitioning strategy called "RU/s" (request units per second) to distribute data across multiple partitions automatically.

3. Consistency Models:

   • ArangoDB: ArangoDB provides multiple consistency models, including strong (strict) consistency, monotonic read consistency, and asynchronous replication. Users can choose the appropriate level of consistency depending on their application requirements.
   • Azure Cosmos DB: Azure Cosmos DB supports five consistency levels, namely strong, bounded staleness, session, consistent prefix, and eventual consistency. It allows developers to configure the consistency level at the individual request level.

4. Deployment Options:

   • ArangoDB: ArangoDB can be deployed both as a single-server instance and as a cluster across multiple servers. It provides flexibility in terms of deployment options, allowing users to choose the most suitable setup.
   • Azure Cosmos DB: Azure Cosmos DB is a fully managed database service provided by Microsoft. It is deployed on Microsoft Azure and offers global distribution and automatic scaling without the need for managing infrastructure.

5. Query Language:

   • ArangoDB: ArangoDB uses a query language called AQL (ArangoDB Query Language) for accessing and manipulating data. AQL is a declarative query language similar to SQL and provides a powerful and expressive way to perform queries.
   • Azure Cosmos DB: Azure Cosmos DB supports multiple query APIs, including SQL (document model), MongoDB (document model), Gremlin (graph model), Cassandra (columnar model), and Table (key-value model). It allows users to choose the most appropriate query API based on their familiarity and requirements.

6. Community and Ecosystem:

   • ArangoDB: ArangoDB has an active open-source community and a growing ecosystem of libraries, tools, and integrations. It benefits from community-driven contributions and has a strong developer community.
   • Azure Cosmos DB: Azure Cosmos DB is backed by Microsoft and has a large ecosystem of services, integrations, and support. It offers seamless integration with other Azure services, making it a preferred choice for developers already using the Azure platform.

In summary, ArangoDB and Azure Cosmos DB differ in their data models, scaling and partitioning capabilities, consistency models, deployment options, query languages, and community/ecosystem support. Understanding these differences is crucial in choosing the right database solution for specific use cases and requirements.