RethinkDB stores data with real-time push. Database that pushes changes to applications-reactive data without polling. The real-time is native. The queries are expressive. The use cases are specific. Applications needing reactive data explore RethinkDB for push-based database.

Available on: Linux, macOS

Louis Corneloup Updated May 26, 2026 · how we evaluate Source rethinkdb.com ↗

Ratings Across the Web

4.3 (15 reviews)

RethinkDB holds an aggregate rating of 4.3 out of 5 from 15 reviews across G2, last checked September 17, 2026.

G2 15 reviews

4.3/5

Ratings aggregated from independent review platforms. Learn more

Key Features

Real-time database
Changefeeds
JSON documents
Joins
Clustering
Open source

Pricing Plans

Pricing checked Oct 4, 2026

RethinkDB plans and prices, checked October 2026
Plan	Price	Details
Open Source	$0	Full database features Realtime push queries JSON document store +1 more Show less Self-hosted

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Is RethinkDB worth the price?

Great value

RethinkDB's pricing is exceptionally generous, as it is entirely open-source and free.

This makes it an incredibly fair and accessible option compared to proprietary database solutions. It's best for developers and organizations looking for a powerful real-time database without any direct licensing costs.

Full RethinkDB pricing: every plan, hidden costs and alternatives

Reviews

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4.3/5

Across 15 verified user reviews on G2

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Best RethinkDB Alternatives

Top alternatives based on features, pricing, and user needs.

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PostgreSQL Free

Advanced open source SQL database

4.5

Supabase Freemium

Open source Firebase alternative

4.6

Redis Freemium

Managed in-memory database for real-time data across clouds

4.5

Amazon DynamoDB Paid

Serverless NoSQL database with single-digit millisecond latency

2.9

CockroachDB Freemium

Distributed SQL database built for cloud

4.3

Firebase Firestore Freemium

Flexible, scalable NoSQL cloud database

3.6

See all data & databases tools →

Still deciding?

Most buyers shortlist 2 or 3 tools before committing. Pull a side-by-side comparison or browse the full alternatives shortlist below.

All RethinkDB alternatives 6+ tools ranked, pricing + verdict per pick RethinkDB vs PostgreSQL Head-to-head: features, pricing, who wins RethinkDB vs Supabase Head-to-head: features, pricing, who wins RethinkDB vs Redis Head-to-head: features, pricing, who wins

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RethinkDB FAQ

How does RethinkDB facilitate real-time application development?

RethinkDB natively pushes data changes to applications, eliminating the need for constant polling. This push-based architecture allows applications to react instantly to updates, making it suitable for live features.

Which teams would benefit most from using RethinkDB?

Teams building modern applications that require reactive data and live updates would find RethinkDB beneficial. Its push architecture is particularly well-suited for applications needing immediate data synchronization.

How is RethinkDB priced?

RethinkDB is free to use, as it is an open-source database. There are no paid plans or subscriptions required to utilize its features.

What kind of trade-offs should be considered when choosing RethinkDB?

A key trade-off is its current popularity and community size, which are smaller compared to other databases. The original company behind RethinkDB also dissolved, which can raise production concerns for some users.

Can RethinkDB be used for building WebSocket-driven applications?

Yes, RethinkDB is categorized under WebSocket Tools and is well-suited for such applications due to its real-time, push-based data delivery. It can efficiently power applications that rely on persistent, two-way communication.

How does RethinkDB compare to Firebase Firestore for real-time data?

RethinkDB offers native real-time push capabilities and an expressive query language, similar to Firebase Firestore's real-time features. However, RethinkDB is open-source and free to use, whereas Firebase Firestore is a managed service with its own pricing structure.

Source: rethinkdb.com

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