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EVCache vs Redis

EVCache: Netflix's memcached-based distributed cache with zone-aware replication, built for AWS microservices. Redis: The in-memory data structure server that became the default cache, now with search, JSON and vectors built in.

key differences

  • Licensing: EVCache is open source (permissive) (Apache License 2.0); Redis is open source (copyleft) (Tri-license: AGPLv3, RSALv2 or SSPLv1 (Redis 8+)).
  • EVCache is built for larger datasets (Multi-PB) than Redis (≤ 10 TB).
  • Transactions: EVCache offers none ACID; Redis offers limited.
  • Only Redis has transactions, secondary indexes, full-text search, vector search, geospatial.

choose evcache for

  • +Multi-zone caching in front of databases for Java microservices on AWS
  • +Session and personalisation data with short TTLs
  • +Read-heavy caches with sub-millisecond in-zone latency targets

best at · Cache, Sessions

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

EVCacheNetflix's memcached-based distributed cache with zone-aware replication, built for AWS microservices.
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, Vector, Time-Series, Search Engine
Type
Database engine
Database engine
Status
Active
Active
Developer
Netflix
Redis Ltd.
First release
2013
2009
Latest version
5.28.1 (Sep 30, 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
2.8
84.3
Rank
#457
#2
GitHub stars
2.2K
77.1K
Stack Overflow questions
–
25.4K
scale & guarantees
Comfortable data size
Massive (Multi-PB)
Medium (≤ 10 TB)
Horizontal scaling
Native
Native
Multi-region
Active active
Active active
ACID
None
Limited
Consistency
Eventual
Eventual
Schema
Schemaless
Schemaless
Architecture
Distributed, In memory, Client server
In memory, Single node, Primary replica, Distributed, Client server
deployment
Self-hosted
✓
✓
Vendor-managed cloud
—
✓
Serverless
—
—
Embedded
—
—
Edge
—
—
Clouds
AWS
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
Memcached commands via Java client
Redis commands (RESP), Lua, Redis Query Engine (FT.*)
Client languages
Java
Python, Java, JavaScript, Go, C#, Rust, Ruby, PHP
Best for
Cache, Sessions
Cache, Sessions, Queue, Pub/Sub
Add more to this comparisonNot sure either fits? Try smart match

EVCache vs Redis: FAQ

What is the difference between EVCache and Redis?

EVCache: Netflix's memcached-based distributed cache with zone-aware replication, built for AWS microservices. Redis: The in-memory data structure server that became the default cache, now with search, JSON and vectors built in. Licensing: EVCache is open source (permissive) (Apache License 2.0); Redis is open source (copyleft) (Tri-license: AGPLv3, RSALv2 or SSPLv1 (Redis 8+)). EVCache is built for larger datasets (Multi-PB) than Redis (≤ 10 TB). Transactions: EVCache offers none ACID; Redis offers limited.

When should I choose EVCache over Redis?

Choose EVCache for multi-zone caching in front of databases for Java microservices on AWS; session and personalisation data with short TTLs; and read-heavy caches with sub-millisecond in-zone latency targets. Choose Redis for application and database query caching; session storage and user tokens; and rate limiting and distributed locks.

Is EVCache or Redis more popular?

Redis ranks #2 on the WhichDB Score (84.3/100) and EVCache ranks #457 (2.8/100). Popularity is not fit: check the requirements that matter for your project.

Are EVCache and Redis open source?

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