Apache Accumulo
Apache Accumulo is a free, open-source sorted, distributed key/value store for storing and retrieving large datasets across a cluster.
What Apache Accumulo is
Apache Accumulo is a free, open-source sorted, distributed key/value store for storing and retrieving large datasets across a cluster. It relies on Apache Hadoop HDFS for data storage and Apache ZooKeeper for consensus. Iterators can change key/value pairs at stages in the data management process, while security labels on individual pairs restrict query results according to user authorizations. Clusters can run across one or more HDFS instances, and nodes can be added or removed as data needs change. The project says its client API follows Long Term Maintenance releases and semantic versioning, and that each release undergoes extensive testing. It is licensed under Apache License, Version 2.0. Listed downloads include source and binary archives for versions 4.0.0-alpha-1, 3.0.0, and 2.1.6; the project cautions that alpha and beta releases are not production ready. Users can ask general questions on the user mailing list, and contributors have a separate dev list. An interactive tour teaches the Java API through exercises and is intended for Accumulo 2.1.x or greater.
Good
- Free, open-source software under Apache License 2.0
- Security labels can restrict query results by authorization
- Nodes can be added or removed as data changes
- Interactive Java API tour includes exercises
Watch out
- Requires Apache Hadoop HDFS and Apache ZooKeeper
- The 4.0.0-alpha-1 release is not production ready
- The interactive tour targets Accumulo 2.1.x or greater
Who it suits
Accumulo suits teams that need distributed storage and retrieval for large datasets, with per-pair access labels and cluster scaling. It is aimed at self-hosted deployments using HDFS and ZooKeeper.
Verdict
Apache Accumulo provides cluster-based key/value storage with fine-grained query restrictions and adjustable cluster nodes. Note its HDFS and ZooKeeper dependencies, and avoid alpha or beta releases for production use.
Plans and prices
From Apache Accumulo's own pricing page, checked 4 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Apache Accumulo | Free | Open-source sorted, distributed key/value store · Apache License 2.0 |
The facts
Each one read from Apache Accumulo's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Access control
- Each key/value pair has its own security label, which limits query results based on user authorizations.checked 4 Oct 2026
- API stability
- The project says its client API follows Long Term Maintenance releases and semantic versioning, and each release undergoes extensive testing.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Community support
- The project provides a user mailing list for general questions and help, and a dev list for contributor discussions.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Hands-on learning
- The interactive tour introduces the Accumulo Java API through independent steps and exercises and is designed for Accumulo 2.1.x or greater.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Large datasets
- Users can store and manage large data sets across a cluster.checked 4 Oct 2026
- License
- The Apache Accumulo site identifies the software as licensed under Apache License, Version 2.0.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Maintainer
- Apache Accumulo is an Apache Software Foundation project; the foundation describes itself as a U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1999.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Apache Accumulo is a sorted, distributed key/value store for robust, scalable data storage and retrieval.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Release maturity
- The site labels 4.0.0-alpha-1 an alpha release and says alpha or beta releases are not production ready.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Release options
- The downloads page lists source and binary archives for Accumulo 4.0.0-alpha-1, 3.0.0, and 2.1.6.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Scalability
- Accumulo runs on a cluster using one or more HDFS instances, and nodes can be added or removed as stored data changes.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Security reporting
- The project asks that potential security issues be reported privately by email and says it follows the ASF vulnerability handling process.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Server-side programming
- Accumulo Iterators can modify key/value pairs at various points in the data management process.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Storage and coordination
- Accumulo uses Apache Hadoop HDFS to store its data and Apache ZooKeeper for consensus.checked 4 Oct 2026
Alternatives to Apache Accumulo
- 1
Apache Cassandra
Free planOpen sourceWebAPILinuxmacOS7.7Free plan - 2
Apache HBase
Free planOpen sourceAPILinuxSelf-hosted7.1Free plan - 3
Google Cloud Bigtable
Free planWebAPI6.8From $0.03 a month - 4
Amazon Keyspaces
Free planWebAPI6.4Free plan - 5
Azure Cosmos DB for NoSQL
Free planAPISelf-hosted6.3Free plan - 6
SWC-DB
Free planAPILinuxSelf-hosted5.9Free plan