Dgraph

Name: Dgraph
Author: Dgraph

by Dgraph

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What Dgraph is

Dgraph is an open-source distributed graph database for real-time workloads, flexible data, and horizontal scaling. It is commonly used to build knowledge graphs and supports DQL and GraphQL. A GraphQL schema can generate an API and graph backend with queries and mutations, plus subscriptions, custom resolvers, Lambda resolvers, and Apollo federation. DQL supports graph queries, mutations, filtering, indexes, and reverse relationship traversals. Transactions commit changes together or abort on conflicts. Dgraph processes queries in parallel and rebalances data across RAFT groups, with an architecture designed for availability during multi-node failures. It also supports vector search and graph algorithms. Installation options include Docker, an automatic script, manual download, or building from source; documented downloads cover Linux binaries and Docker images. Clients are listed for Go, Python, Java, C#, and JavaScript, with a JavaScript HTTP client. Ratel provides a web interface for DQL and graph-form results. TLS and mutual TLS are documented security options.

Who it suits

Dgraph suits developers building knowledge graphs or real-time, distributed applications with GraphQL or DQL. It fits teams wanting open-source, self-hosted or hybrid deployment and client libraries in several languages.

What it does well

Open-source distributed graph database
GraphQL API generated from a schema
Supports vector search and graph algorithms
Parallel query processing and RAFT rebalancing
Docker and source installation options

What to know first

Linux binaries and Docker images are the documented downloads
ACL requires a Dgraph Enterprise license
Anonymous GraphQL access is default until authorization is configured

Verdict

Dgraph offers an open-source graph database with GraphQL generation, DQL querying, and distributed scaling. Its security model requires deliberate authorization configuration, and ACL is identified as an enterprise feature.

Facts from Dgraph's own pages

Authentication: GraphQL authorization supports API keys, JWT authentication, operation-level RBAC, and data-level ABAC; anonymous access is the default unless authorization is configured. · docs.dgraph.io, 9 Oct 2026
Authentication integrations: Dgraph accepts JWTs produced by authentication services such as Auth0, Cognito, and Firebase. · docs.dgraph.io, 9 Oct 2026
Client libraries: The documentation lists client libraries for Go, Python, Java, C#, and JavaScript, plus direct gRPC and HTTP access. · docs.hypermode.com, 10 Oct 2026
Company: Dgraph Labs has been acquired by Hypermode. · docs.hypermode.com, 9 Oct 2026
Company history: The Dgraph overview states that Dgraph Labs was acquired by Hypermode. · docs.hypermode.com, 10 Oct 2026
Encryption: Dgraph documents TLS for client connections and mutual TLS for communication between Alpha and Zero nodes. · dgraph.io, 9 Oct 2026
Enterprise limit: The documentation identifies ACL as an enterprise feature that requires a Dgraph Enterprise license. · docs.dgraph.io, 9 Oct 2026
Founded: 2015 · dgraph.io, 28 Sept 2026
GraphQL: Dgraph supports a GraphQL API that can generate an API and graph backend from a GraphQL schema. · docs.dgraph.io, 10 Oct 2026
GraphQL API: Dgraph can generate a GraphQL API and graph backend from one schema, including generated queries and mutations. · docs.dgraph.io, 9 Oct 2026
GraphQL features: The GraphQL API supports real-time subscriptions, custom resolvers, Lambda resolvers, and Apollo federation. · docs.dgraph.io, 9 Oct 2026
GraphQL integrations: Dgraph documents using GraphQL IDEs including Postman, Insomnia, GraphiQL, and VS Code with GraphQL extensions. · docs.dgraph.io, 9 Oct 2026
Install options: Dgraph can be installed with Docker, an automatic script, a manual download, or by building from source. · docs.dgraph.io, 9 Oct 2026
Local deployment: The quickstart recommends the official Docker image for local development and documents connecting over HTTP and gRPC. · docs.hypermode.com, 10 Oct 2026
Open source: The maker describes Dgraph as fully open source and says development is portable without vendor lock-in. · docs.hypermode.com, 10 Oct 2026
Platform support: The download instructions specify Linux binaries and Docker images; they do not state support for Windows, macOS, iOS, or Android. · docs.dgraph.io, 9 Oct 2026
Product: Dgraph is a graph database commonly used to build knowledge graphs and real-time applications. · docs.hypermode.com, 10 Oct 2026
Query language: DQL supports graph queries, mutations, filtering, indexes, and reverse relationship traversals. · docs.hypermode.com, 10 Oct 2026
Query processing: Dgraph is designed for real-time workloads and horizontal scalability, and processes queries in parallel. · docs.hypermode.com, 10 Oct 2026
Scaling: Its distributed architecture automatically rebalances data across RAFT groups and is designed to remain highly available during multi-node failures. · docs.hypermode.com, 10 Oct 2026
Security controls: GraphQL requests can use access tokens, admin or client keys, and JWT authentication when authorization is configured. · docs.hypermode.com, 10 Oct 2026
Support: The quickstart directs users to the Hypermode Discord for questions, issues, feature requests, and discussions. · docs.hypermode.com, 10 Oct 2026
Transactions: Dgraph transactions commit all changes as a unit or abort them when conflicts occur. · docs.hypermode.com, 10 Oct 2026
Use cases: Dgraph is described as being most commonly used to build knowledge graphs. · docs.hypermode.com, 9 Oct 2026