Data and databases · Independent · 21 Oct 2026

apache/cassandra

Open source transactional distributed database. Linear scalability and proven fault-tolerance on commodity hardware or cloud infrastructure without compromising performance.

← Data and databases

In simple English

Apache Cassandra is a place to store data that grows too large for one computer. It spreads your information across many machines so the system keeps running even if one server dies. You write queries using a language that looks like standard SQL. It is free to use under the Apache 2.0 licence. Running it requires a dedicated server and careful tuning.

What it is

Apache Cassandra is an open-source, partitioned row store designed for linear scalability and high availability. It stores tables with primary keys and uses a query language similar to SQL.

What it is good for

Solo builders and teams handling massive amounts of write-heavy data across multiple servers who need uninterrupted uptime.

Stars10k
LicenceApache-2.0
LatestNo tagged releasechecked 21 Oct 2026
Last code change2026-10-20
Written inJava
Setup effort
4 / 5
Payoff
4 / 5
Good
  • Spreads data across multiple machines automatically so you never run out of space.
  • Keeps running even if individual hardware servers fail completely.
  • Uses a query language that feels familiar if you already know SQL.
Watch for
  • Demands significant memory and hardware resources to run properly.
  • Setup and cluster management require specialized operational knowledge.
  • Does not support complex table joins or subqueries.
Replaces

Traditional relational databases that cannot scale past a single server

Works well with

Grafana for monitoring database health and performance metrics

Similar repositories
  • postgres/postgres22k stars

    A traditional SQL database that handles complex joins on a single machine.

  • scylladb/scylladb16k stars

    A drop-in compatible alternative written in C++ for higher speed.

Also reviewed on Repo Radar
  • meilisearch/meilisearch59k stars

    A search engine you run yourself, built for fast answers and forgiving spelling.

  • beekeeper-studio/beekeeper-studio24k stars

    A desktop window onto a database, so you can read and edit rows without writing commands.

  • sqliteai/sqlite-vector1.1k stars

    An add-on that gives the single-file SQLite database meaning-based search, with its own accuracy figures printed in the README.

Install
tar -zxvf apache-cassandra-$VERSION.tar.gz
cd apache-cassandra-$VERSION
bin/cassandra -f

Independent: reviewed for Repo Radar outside the daily editions. Every independent repository

On Stack Radar: Infrastructure & Security › Databases & Storage › NoSQL Databases.

Get the next edition in your inbox

A dozen repositories, opened and checked. The licence read, the last release dated, and the ones that did not make it named with the reason. It is the half most lists leave out.

No tracking pixels. One click to leave. The archive stays free either way.

We use your address to send the edition and nothing else. Confirm by email, leave in one click. How we handle it.