Memcached
- Android app
- Not listed
- Free plan
- Yes
- Runs on
- api, Linux, Mac, self-hosted
Summary
Memcached is a free, self-hosted in-memory key-value cache for reducing database load in dynamic web applications. It holds small pieces of data such as strings, objects, and results from database calls, API calls, or page rendering. Clients use key-based hashing to choose a server; servers operate independently, without synchronization or replication. Cached items can expire after a specified time, and the default eviction policy removes least-recently-used items. Memcached is aimed at developers and is not code acceleration software or database middleware. Its API is available for most popular languages. The project provides source downloads and installation instructions, including package prerequisites for Debian/Ubuntu and Red Hat/CentOS. TLS authentication and encryption are supported from version 1.5.13 when built with TLS and used with a compatible client. Optional extstore moves values to flash while keeping keys and the hash table in memory, but requires version 1.6.0 or newer.
Who it is for
Memcached suits developers who need a self-hosted cache for database, API, or page-rendering results. Teams should be comfortable deploying and operating cache servers themselves.
What is good
- Free, self-hosted software.
- Caches database, API, and page-rendering results.
- Items can expire after a specified time.
- API available for most popular languages.
What to know first
- Servers do not synchronize or replicate.
- Extstore requires flash, not rotational media.
- A restart effectively empties extstore data.
- SASL does not encrypt communications.
Verdict
Memcached offers a focused, free caching layer for dynamic applications. Its independent-server model and operational requirements are important considerations for teams planning a deployment.
Memcached plans and pricing
All plansCompared on caching software
- Free plan
- Yesmemcached.org
- Deployment
- self_hostedmemcached.org
- Cache targets
- database-call results, API-call results, page-rendering resultsmemcached.org
- Data persistence
- Yesmemcached.org
- High availability
- Yesmemcached.org
- Supported cache engines
- Text protocol, Meta Text protocol, Binary protocol, SASL authenticationmemcached.org
Facts
- Purpose
- Memcached is a distributed in-memory key-value cache intended to speed up dynamic web applications by reducing database load.memcached.org · 30 Sept 2026
- Cached data
- It stores small chunks of arbitrary data, such as strings and objects, including results from database calls, API calls, or page rendering.memcached.org · 30 Sept 2026
- Cluster model
- Clients use a key-based hashing algorithm to select a server, while servers operate independently without synchronization or replication.docs.memcached.org · 30 Sept 2026
- Expiration and eviction
- Items can expire after a specified time, and the default eviction policy is least recently used (LRU).docs.memcached.org · 30 Sept 2026
- Performance
- The documentation says queries on slow machines should run well under 1 ms and high-end servers can serve millions of keys per second.docs.memcached.org · 30 Sept 2026
- Developer audience
- The documentation describes Memcached as a developer tool and says it is not code acceleration software or database middleware.docs.memcached.org · 30 Sept 2026
- Language support
- The maker says its API is available for most popular languages.memcached.org · 30 Sept 2026
- Installation
- The downloads page provides a source tarball and installation instructions, including package prerequisites for Debian/Ubuntu and Red Hat/CentOS.memcached.org · 30 Sept 2026
- TLS security
- Memcached 1.5.13 and later supports authentication and encryption via TLS when built with TLS enabled and used with a TLS-capable client.docs.memcached.org · 30 Sept 2026
- SASL security
- SASL can authenticate clients but does not encrypt communications, and the documentation says it is not suitable for use over the internet.docs.memcached.org · 30 Sept 2026
- Flash storage
- The optional extstore feature moves values to external storage while keeping keys and the hash table in memory, and requires Memcached 1.6.0 or newer.docs.memcached.org · 30 Sept 2026
- Flash storage limit
- Extstore requires flash storage rather than rotational media, and a Memcached restart effectively empties its flash data.docs.memcached.org · 30 Sept 2026
- Item size limit
- The use cases documentation cites a 1 MB item-size limit.docs.memcached.org · 30 Sept 2026
- Support
- The project directs users to its Discord chat, documentation, and mailing list for questions, and points to Cache Forge for business support.memcached.org · 30 Sept 2026
- Origin
- Memcached was originally developed by Brad Fitzpatrick for LiveJournal in 2003.memcached.org · 30 Sept 2026
Company
- Founded
- 2003memcached.org · 28 Sept 2026
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Sources
- memcached.org· checked 30 Sept 2026
- docs.memcached.org· checked 30 Sept 2026
- memcached.org/downloads· checked 30 Sept 2026
- docs.memcached.org/features/tls/· checked 30 Sept 2026
- docs.memcached.org/protocols/binarysasl/· checked 30 Sept 2026
- docs.memcached.org/features/flashstorage/· checked 30 Sept 2026
- docs.memcached.org/userguide/usecases/· checked 30 Sept 2026
- memcached.org/about· checked 30 Sept 2026