Gel (EdgeDB)
edgedb.comBuild Difficulty: 4/5
A few focused days to build a solid replacement
Postgres Unchained
How to Replace Gel (EdgeDB)Overview
Features
43 features across 12 categories
AI(4)
Schema-driven embeddings creation with automatic storage and indexing
Gels with OpenAI, Anthropic, Mistral and custom LLM providers with flexible provider selection
Native RAG endpoint for AI-driven insights with admin UI for rapid testing
GenAI-ready vector store with configurable automatic embeddings
Authentication(5)
SDKs for Python and TypeScript for authentication implementation
Sign-in and sign-up forms included out of the box with option to build custom UI
Email/password and magic links authentication method
Multiple OAuth integrations for third-party authentication
WebAuthn passkeys support for passwordless authentication
Data Management(1)
Export data to vanilla Postgres if needed for portability
Developer Tools(8)
Vertically integrated admin panel for data and schema management
Comprehensive CLI for schema migrations, data dump/restore, GUI access, and REPL with multiple installation options
Zero-config, auto-recovery from network errors, automatic connection pooling and caching for Python, TypeScript, Go, Dart, Rust, .NET, and Java
Generate type-safe code from .edgeql files in any language with strict typing for bug reduction
Built-in UI for schema browsing, data editing, query IDE, visual query builder, web-REPL, and query performance visualization
Advanced schema introspection capabilities for runtime schema inspection
SDKs and libraries for Python, TypeScript, Go, Dart, Rust, .NET, and Java
Fully open source database platform available for community use and contribution
Development(1)
Complete local dev environment with zero-config setup, seconds to deploy to cloud
Infrastructure(3)
Currently runs on AWS with plans to expand to additional cloud providers
Encryption at rest, automated backups, monitoring, and ability to export to vanilla Postgres
Fully managed, high availability database with automated maintenance and monitoring
Integrations(3)
Compatible with most business intelligence solutions for data analysis
GitHub and Vercel previews integration for managing deployments from PR workflow
Seamless integration with Vercel for automatic preview deployments and zero-configuration setup
Performance(4)
Built-in server and client connection pooling with zero-config setup
Better performance than SQL with no extra network roundtrips for low latency
Visual representation of query performance metrics and analysis
Built-in analysis and monitoring of slow queries for performance optimization
Query Language(5)
Fast, readable, composable, graph-relational language combining SQL and GraphQL with superpowers
Hierarchical selects, inserts, updates with link traversal without JOINs or NULL values, easily composable queries
Native GraphQL support included by default with flexible GraphQL queries
Use standard SQL or plug into favorite ORM with Drizzle partnership for top-tier JavaScript ORM experience
Super-flexible builder with unparalleled composability and type safety
Reliability(1)
Client APIs automatically recover from network and transaction errors with transparent re-connects and retries
Schema Management(6)
Schema annotation support for metadata and custom properties
Interactive migrations with guided user-friendly workflow, flexible changes, and schema history browsing
Support for polymorphic types and advanced type system features
Purpose-built migration system with branching, prototyping, squashing tweaks, and custom steps
Database trigger support for automated event handling
Object types, links instead of JOINs, abstract types and mixins, computed fields, user-defined functions
Security(2)
Watertight access control with schema-level security policies
Encryption at rest and mandatory TLS in internal traffic
Pricing
Free
- ✓1/4 compute unit (1/2 GiB RAM, 1/16 vCPU)
- ✓Up to 1GB of disk space
- ✓Data encrypted at rest
- ✓Community support
Pro
- ✓1/2 compute units (1 GiB RAM, 1/8 vCPU)
- ✓10GiB of storage ($0.50/GiB afterwards)
- ✓100GiB of transfer ($0.10/GiB afterwards)
- ✓Unlimited number of reads/writes
- ✓Email support
Enterprise
- ✓Custom compute resources
- ✓Custom storage and transfer
- ✓Priority support
- ✓Deploy in your AWS account
- ✓Custom contracts
- ✓Volume discounts
Cost Calculator
Keep Paying Gel (EdgeDB)
Build It Yourself
Total Cost Comparison
DIY hosting estimate based on Vercel + Supabase free/pro tiers (~$20/mo). Build time estimated from 43 features at easy complexity.
Build vs Buy
Should you build a Gel (EdgeDB) alternative or buy the subscription? Estimate based on 43 features.
Buy Gel (EdgeDB)
Better ValueBuild Your Own
Buying Gel (EdgeDB) saves ~$48,420 over 3 years vs building.
Estimates based on 43 features and a BuildScore of 4/5. Actual costs vary.
Integrations
7 known integrations