Side by side
BaseX vs JayDB
Both stand on document databases. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan APILinuxMac+3
BaseX combines XML storage with XQuery processing and web application interfaces. Its Java prerequisite and self-hosted model are important considerations.
Visit BaseX Free plan Open source AndroidAPIiPhone+5
Choose JayDB when an app needs per-user sign-in and straightforward JSON documents, with managed hosting or a self-hosted option. Look elsewhere if the data model requires joins, indexes, search, aggregation, vector search, or atomic changes across documents.
Visit JayDBThe facts
| BaseX | JayDB | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Yes |
| Runs on | API, Linux, Mac, Self-hosted, Web, Windows | Android, API, iPhone, Linux, Mac, Self-hosted, Web, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Free or on request | See the plans |
| Plans published | 1 | 7 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | basex.org | jaydb.com |
| On document databases | #5 of 28 | #1 of 28 |
BaseX: what it does well
- Stores XML, binary data, and XQuery values
- Supports REST and WebDAV server access
- Provides ACID-safe write transactions
- Includes desktop and web graphical interfaces
What to know first
- Requires Java 17 or higher
- Uses a self-hosted deployment model
JayDB: what it does well
- Offers managed cloud and a self-hosted MIT-licensed Go engine.
- Free plan includes 1 GB, 100,000 reads, and 10,000 writes monthly.
- REST API supports GET, PUT, DELETE, and prefix listing.
- PKCE sign-in and several identity provider options are supported.
- Official SDK includes token refresh and compare-and-swap operations.
What to know first
- No secondary indexes, joins, or full-text search.
- No transactions or atomic writes across multiple documents.
- No vector search or aggregation.
- Sustained writes to one hot key can lead to retry buildup.

