What is Azure DocumentDB?
Azure DocumentDB is Microsoft’s fully managed, MongoDB-compatible database service and the successor name for Azure Cosmos DB for MongoDB (vCore). Since November 2025, the service has been spun out as a standalone offering built on the open-source, Linux Foundation-governed DocumentDB project. According to Microsoft, the service provides around 99% compatibility with the MongoDB wire protocol, so existing MongoDB drivers, ORMs, and tools work largely unchanged.
The sizing model is immediately familiar to teams already using MongoDB: compute (vCores, RAM) and storage scale independently and are sized using familiar units. Microsoft handles patching, backups, high availability, and monitoring.
Core Features
- MongoDB wire-protocol compatibility for existing drivers, ORMs, and tools (including MongoDB Compass, MongoDB shell)
- Independent scaling of compute and storage, both horizontally and vertically, with no shard key required until terabyte scale
- Integrated vector database at no extra cost, including in the free tier, for RAG and AI applications
- Built on the open-source DocumentDB project (Linux Foundation, MIT license) for multicloud and hybrid scenarios
- Encryption of data at rest and in transit, Microsoft Entra ID integration, and Private Link support
- Native integration with Azure tools such as Azure Monitor and Azure CLI
Typical Use Cases
Organizations migrate existing MongoDB applications to Azure DocumentDB without major code changes to benefit from a managed service with Azure integration. AI and RAG applications use the integrated vector search to store documents and embeddings in the same database and query them together. Teams with multicloud or hybrid strategies rely on the open DocumentDB project to use the same MongoDB-compatible interface on-premises or across clouds.
Benefits
- Migration of existing MongoDB workloads without major application changes
- Reduced architectural complexity through integrated vector search instead of a separate vector database
- Predictable sizing and cost model through separation of compute and storage
- Open, portable foundation (DocumentDB project) instead of proprietary lock-in to a single cloud provider
Integration with innFactory
As a Microsoft Solutions Partner, innFactory supports you with Azure DocumentDB: migrating existing MongoDB workloads, sizing and architecture consulting, and integrating vector search into AI and RAG applications.
Typical Use Cases
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Azure DocumentDB and how does it relate to Cosmos DB for MongoDB vCore?
Azure DocumentDB is the name that has applied since November 2025 to the former Azure Cosmos DB for MongoDB (vCore) service. Microsoft spun it out as a standalone offering to align it with the open-source DocumentDB project (Linux Foundation). Functionally and in its pricing logic, it directly continues the previous vCore service.
What is the difference between Azure DocumentDB and the RU-based Cosmos DB API for MongoDB?
The RU-based API uses Request Units as a capacity model suited to serverless, unpredictable workloads, but it requires capacity planning. Azure DocumentDB uses dedicated clusters sized by vCores and RAM for compute and storage, which is often simpler for MongoDB migrations and predictable workloads. Microsoft supports an online migration path from the RU-based API to Azure DocumentDB.
Do I need to modify my MongoDB application?
In most cases, no. According to Microsoft, Azure DocumentDB offers around 99% MongoDB wire-protocol compatibility, so common MongoDB drivers and tools such as MongoDB Compass and the MongoDB shell largely work unchanged. Some administrative commands or server-side extensions may behave differently and should be tested before migration.
Does Azure DocumentDB support vector search?
Yes. An integrated vector database is included at no extra cost, even in the free tier, allowing embeddings to be stored directly alongside the actual data. This removes the need for a separate vector database for many RAG use cases.
Note: All product information on this page has been compiled with care, but is provided without guarantee and may be outdated or incomplete. Cloud services evolve rapidly — features, pricing, SLAs, and availability change frequently. Authoritative and up-to-date information can only be found on the official product page of Azure (official documentation). This page does not represent an offer by Azure.
