KeyDB

C tier on In-Memory DatabasesScore 6.6 · #10 of 25

Android app: Not listed
Free plan: No
Runs on: Linux, Mac, self-hosted

keydb.dev

Summary

KeyDB is a free, open-source, in-memory database that can also be used as a cache and message broker. It is compatible with the Redis API and protocol, so Redis client libraries work with it. Supported data types include strings, hashes, lists, sets, sorted sets, bitmaps, HyperLogLogs, geospatial indexes, and streams. KeyDB can scale through active replication or cluster mode with a sharded dataset, and it supports high availability and automatic failover options. Its MVCC architecture allows snapshot queries, including SCAN and KEYS, to run alongside workloads without blocking them. Asynchronous multi-master replication can span regions and uses last-write-wins handling. Persistence options include RDB snapshots and AOF command logging, with configurable durability. The maker says a single node can handle over 1 million operations per second with submillisecond latency. Linux and macOS are developed and tested, with Linux recommended for deployment. Support is community-based, and paid support is unavailable. Security features include TLS, authentication, and ACLs; the maker recommends restricting network access to trusted clients.

Who it is for

KeyDB suits developers and operators looking for an in-memory database, cache, or message broker compatible with Redis clients. It is described for uses ranging from small projects to workloads serving millions of users.

What is good

Compatible with the Redis API, protocol, and client libraries.
Supports active replication and cluster mode.
Offers RDB snapshots and AOF command logging.
TLS, authentication, and ACLs are supported.

What to know first

No paid support is available.
Linux is recommended for deployment.
Maker warns against direct internet exposure.

Verdict

KeyDB combines Redis compatibility with replication, clustering, and configurable persistence. Its community-based support and security guidance are important considerations for deployment.

Compared on in-memory databases

Free plan: Yeskeydb.dev
Deployment: self-hostedkeydb.dev
Data persistence: Yeskeydb.dev
High availability: Yeskeydb.dev
SQL support: Nokeydb.dev
Vector search: Nokeydb.dev
Supported data models: strings, lists, sets, sorted sets, hashes, bitmaps, HyperLogLogs, streamskeydb.dev

Facts

Product: KeyDB is a high-performance, open-source database and a drop-in alternative to Redis.docs.keydb.dev · 2 Oct 2026
Performance: The maker says a single node can handle over 1 million operations per second and serve data with submillisecond latency.docs.keydb.dev · 2 Oct 2026
Data structures: KeyDB supports strings, hashes, lists, sets, sorted sets, bitmaps, hyperloglogs, geospatial indexes, and streams.docs.keydb.dev · 2 Oct 2026
Scaling: KeyDB supports horizontal scaling through active replication or cluster mode with a sharded dataset.docs.keydb.dev · 2 Oct 2026
Architecture: Its MVCC architecture allows snapshot queries, including SCAN and KEYS, to run concurrently without blocking existing workloads.docs.keydb.dev · 2 Oct 2026
Replication: KeyDB supports asynchronous multi-master replication across regions using a last-write-wins method.docs.keydb.dev · 2 Oct 2026
Persistence: KeyDB supports RDB snapshots and AOF command logging, with configurable durability preferences.docs.keydb.dev · 2 Oct 2026
Compatibility: KeyDB is compatible with the Redis API and protocol, and Redis client libraries work with it.docs.keydb.dev · 2 Oct 2026
Integrations: The maker lists Docker images, Ubuntu and Debian packages, CentOS RPM packages, and community Homebrew and Kubernetes Helm options.docs.keydb.dev · 2 Oct 2026
Security: KeyDB supports TLS on client connections, replication links, and the cluster bus, as well as authentication and ACLs.docs.keydb.dev · 2 Oct 2026
Security guidance: The maker recommends restricting network access to trusted clients and warns against exposing KeyDB directly to the internet.docs.keydb.dev · 2 Oct 2026
Support: Support is community-based and managed by the KeyDB team at Snap; the maker says paid support is unavailable.docs.keydb.dev · 2 Oct 2026
Intended users: The maker describes KeyDB as useful from small projects to workloads serving millions of users.docs.keydb.dev · 2 Oct 2026
History: The project began in 2019 as a multithreaded Redis fork and found a permanent home at Snap at the end of 2021.docs.keydb.dev · 2 Oct 2026
Purpose: KeyDB is an open source, in-memory database used as a database, cache, and message broker.docs.keydb.dev · 3 Oct 2026
Redis compatibility: KeyDB is compatible with the Redis API and protocol, and Redis clients work with KeyDB.docs.keydb.dev · 3 Oct 2026
Scaling and availability: KeyDB supports horizontal scaling through active replication or cluster mode, with high availability and automatic failover options.docs.keydb.dev · 3 Oct 2026
MVCC: Its MVCC architecture lets concurrent queries use database snapshots without blocking calls such as SCAN and KEYS.docs.keydb.dev · 3 Oct 2026
Multi-master: KeyDB supports asynchronous multi-master replication across regions using a last-write-wins method.docs.keydb.dev · 3 Oct 2026
Security configuration: The security guide warns that authentication is optional and its password is stored in clear text in the configuration file; it recommends network protections and TLS.docs.keydb.dev · 3 Oct 2026
Additional deployment options: Community contributed options include Homebrew, a Kubernetes Helm chart, and an Arch Linux package.docs.keydb.dev · 3 Oct 2026
Operating systems: The documentation says Linux and macOS are developed and tested, recommends Linux for deployment, and notes there is no official Windows build support.docs.keydb.dev · 3 Oct 2026