Gel
An open-source graph-relational database built on Postgres with a built-in query language, auth, and AI tooling.
Best for
Developers who want a typed, Postgres-based database with built-in auth and AI/RAG support out of the box.
Skip if
You need a mature, widely-adopted SQL ecosystem rather than a newer query language.
What is Gel?
Gel, formerly known as EdgeDB, is an open-source data platform built on top of Postgres that replaces traditional tables with schema-defined types connected through graph-style links, letting developers traverse relationships without writing JOINs. It uses EdgeQL, a query language that combines SQL and GraphQL-style concepts with strict typing, and provides code generation and client libraries for full type safety across the stack. Beyond querying, Gel includes built-in authentication covering OAuth, passkeys, magic links, and email/password, plus integrated AI support with automatic embeddings and RAG endpoints. It can run locally with zero-config setup, be exported to plain Postgres, or run on the managed Gel Cloud service, which is AWS-powered and integrates with GitHub and Vercel; the project has around 14,000 GitHub stars and recently joined Vercel while remaining fully open source.
SpecificationsAI-estimated
Key Features of Gel
Use Cases for Gel
Type-safe application backends
Teams that want strict schema typing and generated client code across their stack.
Apps needing built-in auth
Projects that want authentication (OAuth, passkeys, magic links) bundled with the database layer.
AI and RAG applications
Using built-in embeddings and RAG endpoints to power retrieval-augmented AI features.
Graph-style relational data
Modeling deeply linked data and traversing relationships without writing complex JOINs.
Pros & Cons of Gel
Pros
- Fully open source with an active community (around 14,000 GitHub stars)
- Built-in authentication removes the need for a separate auth service
- Strict typing and code generation reduce runtime data errors
- Free tier available on Gel Cloud for smaller workloads
Cons
- EdgeQL is a new query language, requiring a learning curve versus plain SQL
- Recent rebrand from EdgeDB to Gel may cause confusion when searching for resources
- Smaller ecosystem and community than mainstream Postgres or MySQL
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gel the same as EdgeDB?
Yes, Gel is the new name for what was previously EdgeDB.
Is Gel open source?
Yes, it is fully open source with around 14,000 GitHub stars.
Is Gel built on Postgres?
Yes, Gel is built on top of Postgres and can export data back to plain Postgres.
Does Gel have a free tier?
Yes, Gel Cloud has a free plan with 1/4 compute unit and up to 1GB storage.
Pricing Overview
View full pricing →Reviews & Ratings0.0
No reviews yet. Be the first to write one!
Top Alternatives & Similar Software
View all alternatives & similar software→
People also viewed
Best For
Related searches
About the Product
Is this your tool?
Claim this page to update details, reply to user reviews, and drive more traffic to your product.
Claim this Product →
Tags
Explore Related Topics
Keep up with Gel alternatives
New alternatives, pricing changes and the week's biggest movers - one email every Tuesday.