Redis Alternatives
6 Tools Like Redis
Quick answer: Top Redis alternatives include Valkey, Dragonfly and KeyDB. For open source, look at Valkey and KeyDB. Valkey and KeyDB are free or have free plans.
Redis is an in-memory data store used for caching, queues and more.
Many teams looked for Redis alternatives after its 2024 licence change, or for multithreaded performance.
- 6 alternatives
- 5 with a free plan
- 4 open source
- 2 self-hostable
The best Redis alternatives
#1Valkey
valkey.io
Open-source Redis fork backed by the Linux Foundation.
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Valkey is open source, is free to use and can be self-hosted.
People switching from Redis often consider Valkey.
#2Dragonfly
dragonflydb.io
Redis-compatible in-memory store designed for high throughput.
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In Dragonfly’s own words: “Discover Dragonfly - the most performant in-memory data store, engineered for extreme throughput at scale.”
Dragonfly can be self-hosted.
People switching from Redis often consider Dragonfly.
#3KeyDB
docs.keydb.dev
Multithreaded, Redis-compatible database.
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KeyDB is open source and is free to use.
People switching from Redis often consider KeyDB.
#4Memcached
memcached.org
Simple, high-performance distributed memory cache.
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Memcached is open source and is free to use.
People switching from Redis often consider Memcached.
#5Garnet
microsoft.github.io
Microsoft Research’s Redis-compatible cache store.
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In Garnet’s own words: “Garnet is a high-performance remote cache-store from Microsoft Research, that works with existing Redis clients.”
Garnet is open source and is free to use.
People switching from Redis often consider Garnet.
#6Upstash
upstash.com
Serverless Redis and Kafka with pay-per-request pricing.
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In Upstash’s own words: “Serverless Redis, Vector and Search databases with low latency and pay-as-you-go pricing. Upstash is the data platform for modern and AI applications — create a Redis database in seconds.”
Upstash has a free plan.
People switching from Redis often consider Upstash.
Listed for information; LaunchStall isn’t affiliated with these companies. Features and plans change — check each site for current details.
How these Redis alternatives compare
| Tool | Best for | Where it beats Redis | The trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Valkey | An open-source Redis fork | Linux Foundation-backed and highly compatible. | Features may diverge from Redis over time. |
| Dragonfly | Scaling up on one machine | Multi-threaded, with Redis API compatibility. | A different licence and a younger project. |
| KeyDB | Multi-threaded Redis compatibility | Multi-threaded and open source. | A smaller community. |
| Memcached | Pure simple caching | Very simple and fast for caching. | No rich data types or persistence. |
| Garnet | .NET teams | A fast cache store from Microsoft Research. | Younger, with less production history. |
| Upstash | Serverless apps | Redis-compatible, with pay-per-request pricing. | Costs can add up at high volumes. |
Which should you choose?
- You want a direct open-source replacement: Valkey
- You only need a cache: Memcached
- You build serverless apps: Upstash
Our editorial summary of each tool’s focus, written November 2026. Tools change quickly, so check the details on each site.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best Redis alternatives?
Popular Redis alternatives include Valkey, Dragonfly and KeyDB. The best choice depends on whether you need a free plan, open-source software or specific features.
Is there a free alternative to Redis?
Yes. Valkey, KeyDB, Memcached and Garnet are free or have free plans.
Is there an open-source alternative to Redis?
Yes — Valkey, KeyDB, Memcached and Garnet are open source.
Why do people look for Redis alternatives?
Many teams looked for Redis alternatives after its 2024 licence change, or for multithreaded performance.
More infrastructure & devops alternatives
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