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Home/Categories/Databases & Storage/BigchainDB
icon of BigchainDB

BigchainDB

Open source alternative to Amazon Managed Blockchain, IBM Blockchain Platform and Alibaba Cloud Blockchain as a Service (BaaS)

A blockchain database offering high throughput, low latency, and powerful query functionality for decentralized applications.

Repository

Stars
4K
Forks
761
License
Apache-2.0
Latest
v2.2.2
Last commit
698 days ago
Last verified
May 13, 2026
Repo
bigchaindb/bigchaindb ↗
4K stars
Python
Apache-2.0
Visit websiteGitHub repo
image of BigchainDB
Contents
  1. 01Who BigchainDB is for
  2. 02The problem it solves
  3. 03How it solves it
  4. 04Strengths and trade-offs
  5. 05Install and self-host
  6. 06Tech stack
  7. 07FAQ
  8. 08Similar open-source tools
TL;DR

BigchainDB is a blockchain database server for teams experimenting with decentralized data, asset histories, and tamper-evident records. It replaces managed blockchain database services when developers want to run the server themselves, inspect the stack, and prototype with Docker-based local infrastructure.Apache-2.0 · Python · 4K stars

who it's for

Who BigchainDB is for#

Developers prototyping blockchain-backed records

Use BigchainDB to test asset or transaction models locally before choosing hosted blockchain infrastructure.

Skip if:

A normal relational database plus audit table satisfies your integrity needs.

Researchers studying decentralized databases

Use BigchainDB when the goal is to inspect and modify server behavior around blockchain-style storage.

Skip if:

You only need an API to a managed blockchain network.

Teams evaluating vendor alternatives

Use BigchainDB to compare self-hosted architecture against managed blockchain services.

tech stack · detected from GitHub

What it's built on#

Languages
LuaPython
Databases
MongoDB
frequently asked

FAQ#

What is BigchainDB?
Can BigchainDB run locally?
Is BigchainDB right for every database use case?
also worth a look

Similar open-source tools#

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Additional details

Language
Python
Open issues
173
Contributors
86
First release
2016

Categories

Databases & StorageWeb DevelopmentFinance & Fintech

Tags

DatabaseWeb3API Development ToolsDeveloper FrameworkSelf HostedSecurityCloud Native

Skip if:

You need enterprise support and managed operations immediately.

the problem

The problem it solves#

Blockchain-backed data projects can become dependent on managed vendor platforms before the architecture is proven. Teams need to test data models, transaction flows, and node behavior locally before committing to cloud blockchain services. Without a self-hosted server, early experiments can mix application design with vendor-specific deployment assumptions.

how BigchainDB solves it

How it solves it#

Blockchain database server

BigchainDB Server is a blockchain database, with server documentation and a whitepaper linked for architecture details.

Docker Compose quickstart

The official quickstart path uses `git clone`, `cd bigchaindb`, and `make run`, then exposes the server at localhost port 9984.

Development and test commands

Make targets cover start, stop, logs, tests, coverage, docs, clean, and reset workflows.

Apache-2.0 license

Apache-2.0 licensing is practical for experimentation and commercial evaluation.

strengths · trade-offs

Strengths and trade-offs#

Strengths

  • Good local experimentation pathThe Docker Compose workflow lets developers run a local BigchainDB server before choosing a managed blockchain platform.
  • Server code is inspectableTeams can inspect how the database server works rather than treating the blockchain data layer as a black box.
  • Useful for asset history prototypesBigchainDB is most relevant where a team is testing tamper-evident records, asset transactions, or decentralized database patterns.

Trade-offs

  • -Niche architecture choiceMost applications do not need a blockchain database. PostgreSQL, document stores, or append-only audit logs are simpler for many workloads.
  • -Project maturity should be reviewedBefore production use, teams should review current maintenance activity, dependencies, and operational guidance because blockchain infrastructure ages quickly.
install · self-host

Install and self-host#

bash
git clone https://github.com/bigchaindb/bigchaindb.git
cd bigchaindb
make run

No. It is a niche fit for blockchain-style data models. Most business apps should choose simpler databases unless decentralization is a real requirement.

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BigchainDB is a blockchain database server for storing and working with decentralized or tamper-evident data records.

Yes. BigchainDB has a Docker Compose workflow using make run, with the server reachable on localhost port 9984.