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Apache Kvrocks vs Redis

Apache Kvrocks: A Redis-protocol database on RocksDB that trades a little latency for disk-sized capacity. Redis: The in-memory data structure server that became the default cache, now with search, JSON and vectors built in.

key differences

  • Licensing: Apache Kvrocks is open source (permissive) (Apache License 2.0); Redis is open source (copyleft) (Tri-license: AGPLv3, RSALv2 or SSPLv1 (Redis 8+)).
  • Only Apache Kvrocks has compression.
  • Only Redis has full-text search, vector search, in-memory, streaming ingest.

choose apache-kvrocks for

  • +Large Redis datasets that are too expensive to keep in RAM
  • +Persistent key-value storage with a Redis API
  • +Feature and profile stores accessed by key

best at · Cache, Sessions, Queue

choose redis for

  • +Application and database query caching
  • +Session storage and user tokens
  • +Rate limiting and distributed locks
  • +Leaderboards and counters

best at · Cache, Sessions, Queue

Apache KvrocksA Redis-protocol database on RocksDB that trades a little latency for disk-sized capacity.
RedisThe in-memory data structure server that became the default cache, now with search, JSON and vectors built in.
overview
Primary model
Key-Value
Key-Value
Also supports
Document
Document, Vector, Time-Series, Search Engine
Type
Database engine
Database engine
Status
Active
Active
Developer
Apache Software Foundation
Redis Ltd.
First release
2019
2009
Latest version
2.17.0 (Sep 19, 2026)
8.10.3 (Oct 26, 2026)
License
Open source (permissive)Apache License 2.0
Open source (copyleft)Tri-license: AGPLv3, RSALv2 or SSPLv1 (Redis 8+)
Free tier
✓
✓
popularity
WhichDB Score
10.3
84.3
Rank
#299
#2
GitHub stars
4.5K
77.1K
Stack Overflow questions
–
25.4K
scale & guarantees
Comfortable data size
Medium (≤ 10 TB)
Medium (≤ 10 TB)
Horizontal scaling
Native
Native
Multi-region
None
Active active
ACID
Limited
Limited
Consistency
Eventual
Eventual
Schema
Schemaless
Schemaless
Architecture
Primary replica, Distributed, Client server
In memory, Single node, Primary replica, Distributed, Client server
deployment
Self-hosted
✓
✓
Vendor-managed cloud
—
✓
Serverless
—
—
Embedded
—
—
Edge
—
—
Clouds
–
AWS, Google Cloud, Azure, DigitalOcean, Heroku, Render
capabilities
Transactions
✓
✓
Joins
—
—
Secondary indexes
✓
✓
Full-text search
—
✓
Vector search
—
✓
Geospatial
✓
✓
JSON
✓
✓
Change data capture
—
—
Triggers
—
—
Stored procedures
✓
✓
Materialized views
—
—
TTL / expiry
✓
✓
Pub/Sub
✓
✓
Columnar storage
—
—
In-memory
—
✓
Durable persistence
✓
✓
Compression
✓
—
Encryption at rest
—
—
Role-based access
✓
✓
Time travel
—
—
Branching
—
—
Online schema changes
—
—
Streaming ingest
—
✓
Offline sync
—
—
Runs in WebAssembly
—
—
interfaces
Query languages
Redis commands (RESP), Lua
Redis commands (RESP), Lua, Redis Query Engine (FT.*)
Client languages
Python, Java, JavaScript, Go, C#, Rust, Ruby, PHP
Python, Java, JavaScript, Go, C#, Rust, Ruby, PHP
Best for
Cache, Sessions, Queue, Pub/Sub
Cache, Sessions, Queue, Pub/Sub
Add more to this comparisonNot sure either fits? Try smart match

Apache Kvrocks vs Redis: FAQ

What is the difference between Apache Kvrocks and Redis?

Apache Kvrocks: A Redis-protocol database on RocksDB that trades a little latency for disk-sized capacity. Redis: The in-memory data structure server that became the default cache, now with search, JSON and vectors built in. Licensing: Apache Kvrocks is open source (permissive) (Apache License 2.0); Redis is open source (copyleft) (Tri-license: AGPLv3, RSALv2 or SSPLv1 (Redis 8+)). Only Apache Kvrocks has compression. Only Redis has full-text search, vector search, in-memory, streaming ingest.

When should I choose Apache Kvrocks over Redis?

Choose Apache Kvrocks for large Redis datasets that are too expensive to keep in RAM; persistent key-value storage with a Redis API; and feature and profile stores accessed by key. Choose Redis for application and database query caching; session storage and user tokens; and rate limiting and distributed locks.

Is Apache Kvrocks or Redis more popular?

Redis ranks #2 on the WhichDB Score (84.3/100) and Apache Kvrocks ranks #299 (10.3/100). Popularity is not fit: check the requirements that matter for your project.

Are Apache Kvrocks and Redis open source?

Yes. Apache Kvrocks is open source. License: Apache License 2.0. Yes. Redis is open source. License: Tri-license: AGPLv3, RSALv2 or SSPLv1 (Redis 8+).