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IBM Cloudant
What IBM Cloudant is
IBM Cloudant is a managed JSON document database service built on Apache CouchDB. Applications connect through an HTTPS API, with SDKs for Node.js, Java, Python, and Go. It supports document lookups, views, Apache Lucene-based search indexes, and Cloudant Query. Cloudant Search handles language-aware full-text, multi-field, and simple geospatial searches; IBM directs aggregation beyond faceting to Views. IBM states a 99.99% SLA and says data is distributed across availability zones and six regions. Data remains readable and writable during zone outages, and multi-region active-active replication can be configured. The service encrypts data at rest, integrates with IBM Identity and Access Management, and supported Dedicated Hardware deployments can use IBM Key Protect for customer-managed keys. IBM lists ISO 27001, ISO 27017, ISO 27018, PCI DSS, and SOC reports. Plans include Lite, Standard, Enterprise, and Dedicated Hardware. Lite is for evaluation and testing, while Standard targets development and production workloads. Cloudant runs through its API on Linux and the web.
Who it suits
Cloudant suits developers and organizations needing a managed document database with API and SDK access, search, replication, and zone-outage resilience. Lite is positioned for evaluation and testing; Standard is intended for development and production.
What it does well
- 99.99% SLA stated by IBM
- Readable and writable during zone outages
- SDKs for Node.js, Java, Python, and Go
- Language-aware full-text and geospatial search
- Free Lite plan available
What to know first
- Data is not automatically backed up
- Lite support is unavailable
- HIPAA setup requires provisioning request and BAA
- Dedicated Hardware provisioning can take up to seven business days
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Enterprise | Dedicated, single-tenant clusters | On request |
| Lite | Free · 1 GB storage · 20 reads/sec · 10 writes/sec · 5 global queries/sec · 1 instance per IBM Cloud account | Free |
| Dedicated Hardware | Monthly charge shown in IBM Cloud Cost Estimator for selected plan and capacity · Private isolated database cluster · hosts Standard plan instances · private networking · BYOK · configurable IP allowlisting · provisioning can take up to 7 business days | On request |
| Standard | Pay-as-you-go or subscription; hourly, prorated · 20 GB included storage · starts at 100 reads/sec, 50 writes/sec, 5 global queries/sec · additional storage charged per GB · scalable throughput | On request |
As ibm.com lists them, read 22 Sept 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
IBM Cloudant combines CouchDB-based documents, multiple query options, SDKs, and resilient regional deployment. Check backup responsibilities, support availability, and plan limits before choosing an instance.
Facts from IBM Cloudant's own pages
- API and SDKs
- Cloudant is accessed through an HTTPS API and provides SDKs for Node.js, Java, Python, and Go. · cloud.ibm.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Availability
- IBM states Cloudant provides 99.99% SLA reliability and distributes data across availability zones and six regions. · ibm.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Backups
- Cloudant data is not automatically backed up, although IBM says supported backup tools are provided. · cloud.ibm.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Compliance
- IBM lists ISO 27001, ISO 27017, ISO 27018, PCI DSS, and SOC reports for Cloudant; HIPAA configuration must be requested at provisioning and requires a BAA. · cloud.ibm.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Encryption
- IBM says all Cloudant instances use encryption for data at rest; Dedicated Hardware supports BYOK through IBM Key Protect, selected during provisioning. · cloud.ibm.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Free plan
- Yes · ibm.com, 22 Sept 2026
- Integrations
- Cloudant integrates with IBM Identity and Access Management, and IBM Key Protect can provide customer-managed encryption keys for supported Cloudant deployments. · cloud.ibm.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Intended workloads
- IBM describes Lite as suited to evaluation and testing, and Standard as suited to development and production workloads. · cloud.ibm.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Product
- IBM Cloudant is a managed JSON document database service based on Apache CouchDB. · cloud.ibm.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Queries
- Cloudant supports document lookups, views, Apache Lucene-based search indexes, and Cloudant Query. · cloud.ibm.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Resilience
- Data remains readable and writable during zone outages, and customers can configure multi-region active-active replication. · cloud.ibm.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Search
- Cloudant Search supports language-aware full-text, multi-field, and simple geospatial queries; IBM says to use Views for aggregation beyond faceting. · cloud.ibm.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Support
- Support for Standard and Dedicated plan instances is optional and provided with IBM Cloud Standard Support; Lite plan support is unavailable. · cloud.ibm.com, 11 Oct 2026
Where IBM Cloudant stands on Freedom251
- Database Software#49 of 75