GUN
GUN is a free, open-source graph database and data protocol for developers building decentralized apps.
What GUN is
GUN is a free, open-source graph database and data protocol for developers building decentralized apps. It synchronizes data between peers in real time and can retain subscribed data after a refresh, including when offline. Its graph model can represent SQL-like tables, JSON-like documents, files, livestreaming video, relational data, and hypergraphs. Browser peers store subscribed data in localStorage by default, with an IndexedDB option; the same browser code can run in Node.js. Peers communicate through WebRTC, WebSockets, or other transports, with relay peers passing messages between them. For storage, developers can use Node.js filesystem support and adapters or plugins for systems such as AWS S3, IPFS, MongoDB, and MySQL. GUN’s SEA features include key pairs, signing, encryption, verification, and certificates for authorizing writes. Public-space data is editable by anyone by default, so the User system is needed to restrict changes. The tutorial shows installation with npm and a local Node.js peer. GUN supports Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, Windows, web, and API use, and can be self-hosted.
Good
- Free plan is available.
- Synchronizes data between peers in real time.
- Supports multiple graph data types.
- Offers WebRTC and WebSocket transports.
- SEA includes signing and encryption tools.
Watch out
- Public-space data is editable by anyone by default.
- JavaScript-held passwords or keys can be exposed to attacks.
Who it suits
GUN suits developers building decentralized applications who want peer-to-peer synchronization and a flexible graph data model. It may fit projects that need browser or Node.js use and configurable storage.
Verdict
GUN provides developers with peer synchronization, varied data models, and storage options for decentralized applications. Public data is open to edits by default, so projects needing restricted writes must use the User system and take care with credentials.
The facts
Each one read from GUN's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Account recovery
- The documentation describes serverless password recovery using 3-Friend Account recovery, but cautions against using it for banking apps.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Credential risk
- The tutorial warns that passwords or private keys in JavaScript can be exposed through XSS or other attacks and recommends a browser extension such as Party.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Data models
- GUN supports graph data, SQL-like tables, JSON-like documents, files, livestreaming video, and relational and hypergraph data.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Data sync
- GUN synchronizes data between peers in real time and can keep data available after refresh while offline.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Data types
- GUN supports graph data including SQL-like tables, JSON-like documents, files, livestreaming video, relational data, and hypergraphs.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Developer integrations
- The documentation shows GUN used with plain HTML and JavaScript and says developers can also use React or Vue.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Development
- The tutorial demonstrates installing GUN with npm and running a local Node.js peer.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The docs list storage options and adapters including localStorage, IndexedDB, Node.js filesystem, AWS S3, IPFS, Level, MongoDB, MySQL, Cassandra, Elasticsearch, and LMDB.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Local first storage
- Browser peers use localStorage or IndexedDB for subscribed data, and the documentation says the same browser code runs in Node.js.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Networking
- Peers can sync using WebRTC, WebSockets, or other transports, and GUN describes relay peers that pass messages between peers.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Product
- GUN describes itself as an open source, decentralized graph database and data protocol for developers.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Public data limit
- The documentation warns that anyone can edit data in public space by default and says the User system is needed to restrict edits.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Security
- SEA provides cryptographic features including key pairs, signing, encryption, verification, and certificates for authorizing writes.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Security limitation
- The documentation warns that public-space data can be edited by anyone by default.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Server storage
- In Node.js, RAD can store data on disk with fs, and plugins for AWS S3 and other storage systems are available.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Storage
- Browser peers use localStorage by default, with an IndexedDB adapter also available through RAD.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Support
- The tutorial directs users to the GUN chatroom for help, Stack Overflow for API questions, and GitHub Issues for bug reports.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Target users
- GUN presents itself as a tool for developers building decentralized apps and calls itself an open source Firebase alternative.checked 9 Oct 2026
The company
- Founded
- 2014checked 28 Sep 2026
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