I have only experiences with the Node.js/JS and Elixir drivers. Node.js and JS drivers are production ready. Performance is without question ultra fast when the environment allows it (latency is, as usual, the performance killer). Additionally, you must think about the data model (embedded-arrays vs. linked documents). The "Why?" is explained here https://www.rethinkdb.com/docs/data-modeling/ (find the blue boxes for a summary). It's a lot of fun to use RethinkDB. Changefeeds enable a different approach to solving problems, think of Redis style PubSub with far more options available. The downside is that new concepts may not be a good choice for all common problems. But it's fun to trail and experiment with RethinkDB.