Developer Tools
Cloudant
IBM-managed JSON document database service based on Apache CouchDB APIs and replication.
What it is
IBM Cloudant is a proprietary managed JSON document database built on Apache CouchDB, with a compatible HTTPS API and replication protocol. The Lite plan is free for evaluation and fixes capacity at 20 reads, 10 writes and five global queries per second with 1 GB storage. Standard begins at one provisioned capacity block—100 reads, 50 writes and five global queries per second—includes 20 GB and bills capacity plus excess storage hourly. Dedicated Hardware adds workload isolation, private networking and selected compliance and key-management options. A Cloudant service is not the same as self-hosting CouchDB.
Key features
JSON document database
Stores schema-flexible documents, attachments and secondary indexes behind HTTPS APIs.
CouchDB-compatible replication
Supports replication patterns between Cloudant regions and compatible CouchDB systems.
Provisioned throughput
Scales read, write and global-query capacity in linked blocks through the dashboard or API.
IBM IAM and SDKs
Integrates IBM Cloud access controls and provides supported Java, Node.js, Python, Swift, Go and mobile clients.
Strengths and trade-offs
What works well
- Managed document service: IBM handles database servers, upgrades, patching and core high-availability infrastructure.
- CouchDB lineage: Compatible HTTP APIs and replication ease selected CouchDB application and migration patterns.
- Explicit capacity model: Read, write and global-query throughput are provisioned in documented blocks.
- Multi-region option: Application-managed replication can support active-active regional architectures.
Where it falls short
- Lite is evaluation capacity: It cannot scale and blocks new writes above its storage limit.
- Capacity dimensions scale together: A workload dominated by one request class may pay for unused allowances in the others.
- Exceeding throughput returns 429: Applications need retry, backoff and load testing rather than assuming automatic unlimited scale.
- Cross-region is not automatic application resilience: Conflict behavior, traffic routing, monitoring and recovery remain design responsibilities.
Who it is for
Teams building operational JSON applications that value managed CouchDB-compatible APIs and predictable provisioned throughput.
Our verdict
Cloudant remains a sound managed choice for CouchDB-shaped JSON workloads, but its capacity-block economics and replication semantics should drive the design; benchmark every request class, implement 429 backoff, and rehearse regional routing and conflict recovery before production.
Closest alternatives we track
Same category, ordered by verified starting price.
What we checked
- Public APIOffers a documented API you can build against.Yes
- Mobile appHas a native app for iOS or Android, not just a mobile website.Yes
- Open source / self-hostableSource is open and the tool can be run on your own infrastructure.No
- SSO (SAML)Supports SAML single sign-on on at least one plan.Yes
“Not checked” means exactly that — we have not verified it, and we do not guess.
Evidence and freshness
Status: Official sources reviewedReviewed: 2026-08-24
- IBM Cloud Docs — What is Cloudant ↗
Checked 2026-08-24 · Supports: managed JSON DBaaS, Apache CouchDB foundation, compatible API and replication, serverless operations boundary, HTTPS access, multi-region replication, maintenance responsibility, capacity and storage billing
- IBM Cloud Docs — Plans and provisioning ↗
Checked 2026-08-24 · Supports: Lite Standard and Dedicated Hardware plans, Lite throughput and 1 GB storage, Standard starting throughput and 20 GB, hourly prorated billing, scaling path, Dedicated isolation BYOK networking and HIPAA configuration
- IBM Cloud Docs — Usage and charges ↗
Checked 2026-08-24 · Supports: request classes, capacity block composition, linked scaling, hourly proration, dashboard and API scaling, asynchronous capacity changes, 429 and retry behavior
- IBM Cloud Docs — Connecting ↗
Checked 2026-08-24 · Supports: HTTPS endpoints, IAM and legacy authentication, IAM recommendation, dashboard operations, curl access, supported Java Node.js Python Swift Go and mobile libraries
- IBM Cloud Docs — Migration overview ↗
Checked 2026-08-24 · Supports: multi-tenant service, CouchDB migration path, capacity metrics, Lite evaluation role, Standard production positioning, 99.99% vendor SLA claim, 429 behavior
Limit: Official IBM Cloudant product, plan, billing, connection and migration documentation was reviewed; ToolCompare did not provision an instance, inspect the live cost estimator, test APIs/IAM/SDKs/indexes/search/replication, fill Lite storage, exceed throughput, measure latency, scale capacity, validate encryption or Dedicated isolation, create conflicts, simulate a zone or region outage, claim an SLA credit, restore data or migrate CouchDB. Prices, regions, limits and service terms can change.