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NCache vs ScaleOut StateServer

NCache: A native .NET distributed cache and data grid for Windows and Linux, with an Apache-licensed edition. ScaleOut StateServer: Commercial in-memory data grid for .NET and Java with parallel query, Redis support and in-cache code.

key differences

  • Licensing: NCache is open source (permissive) (Apache 2.0 (Open Source edition); Enterprise is commercial); ScaleOut StateServer is proprietary (Proprietary).
  • Only NCache has full-text search, json, stored procedures, durable persistence, encryption at rest.

choose ncache for

  • +ASP.NET session and output caching
  • +EF Core second-level caching
  • +Shared cache for .NET microservices on Windows or Linux

best at · Cache, Sessions, Pub/Sub

choose scaleout-stateserver for

  • +Distributed session state for ASP.NET and Java web farms
  • +Low-latency shared object cache for .NET services
  • +Real-time analytics and digital twins over fast-changing data
  • +Replacing self-managed Redis in Windows-centric shops

best at · Cache, Sessions, Real-time analytics

NCacheA native .NET distributed cache and data grid for Windows and Linux, with an Apache-licensed edition.
ScaleOut StateServerCommercial in-memory data grid for .NET and Java with parallel query, Redis support and in-cache code.
overview
Primary model
Key-Value
Key-Value
Also supports
Document
Document
Type
Database engine
Database engine
Status
Active
Active
Developer
Alachisoft
ScaleOut Software, Inc.
First release
2005
2005
Latest version
5.3.8 (Oct 21, 2026)
6 (Sep 2025)
License
Open source (permissive)Apache 2.0 (Open Source edition); Enterprise is commercial
ProprietaryProprietary
Free tier
✓
—
popularity
WhichDB Score
7.8
0.0
Rank
#337
#806
GitHub stars
666
–
Stack Overflow questions
70
–
scale & guarantees
Comfortable data size
Medium (≤ 10 TB)
Medium (≤ 10 TB)
Horizontal scaling
Native
Native
Multi-region
Active active
Read replicas
ACID
Limited
Limited
Consistency
Strong, Eventual
Strong
Schema
Schemaless
Schemaless
Architecture
In memory, Distributed, Client server
Distributed, In memory
deployment
Self-hosted
✓
✓
Vendor-managed cloud
✓
—
Serverless
—
—
Embedded
—
—
Edge
—
—
Clouds
Azure, AWS
–
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
SQL-like query API, LINQ
LINQ, Java/C++ filter APIs, Redis commands
Client languages
C#, Java, Python, JavaScript
C#, Java, C, C++
Best for
Cache, Sessions, Pub/Sub
Cache, Sessions, Real-time analytics, Pub/Sub
Add more to this comparisonNot sure either fits? Try smart match

NCache vs ScaleOut StateServer: FAQ

What is the difference between NCache and ScaleOut StateServer?

NCache: A native .NET distributed cache and data grid for Windows and Linux, with an Apache-licensed edition. ScaleOut StateServer: Commercial in-memory data grid for .NET and Java with parallel query, Redis support and in-cache code. Licensing: NCache is open source (permissive) (Apache 2.0 (Open Source edition); Enterprise is commercial); ScaleOut StateServer is proprietary (Proprietary). Only NCache has full-text search, json, stored procedures, durable persistence, encryption at rest.

When should I choose NCache over ScaleOut StateServer?

Choose NCache for ASP.NET session and output caching; EF Core second-level caching; and shared cache for .NET microservices on Windows or Linux. Choose ScaleOut StateServer for distributed session state for ASP.NET and Java web farms; low-latency shared object cache for .NET services; and real-time analytics and digital twins over fast-changing data.

Is NCache or ScaleOut StateServer more popular?

NCache ranks #337 on the WhichDB Score (7.8/100) and ScaleOut StateServer ranks #806 (0.0/100). Popularity is not fit: check the requirements that matter for your project.

Are NCache and ScaleOut StateServer open source?

Yes. NCache is open source. License: Apache 2.0 (Open Source edition); Enterprise is commercial. No. ScaleOut StateServer is proprietary, closed-source software.