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NutsDB vs Redis

NutsDB: Pure-Go embedded key-value store with Bitcask storage and Redis-like lists, sets and sorted sets. Redis: The in-memory data structure server that became the default cache, now with search, JSON and vectors built in.

key differences

  • Licensing: NutsDB is open source (permissive) (Apache License 2.0); Redis is open source (copyleft) (Tri-license: AGPLv3, RSALv2 or SSPLv1 (Redis 8+)).
  • Redis is built for larger datasets (≤ 10 TB) than NutsDB (≤ 100 GB).
  • Horizontal scaling is none in NutsDB and native in Redis.
  • Transactions: NutsDB offers full ACID; Redis offers limited.
  • Only Redis has secondary indexes, full-text search, vector search, geospatial, json.
  • NutsDB can run embedded in your application process.

choose nutsdb for

  • +Embedded queues and leaderboards in Go services
  • +Local caches with TTL
  • +Replacing a sidecar Redis for single-process apps

best at · Embedded, Cache, 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

NutsDBPure-Go embedded key-value store with Bitcask storage and Redis-like lists, sets and sorted sets.
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
Embedded library
Database engine
Status
Active
Active
Developer
NutsDB contributors
Redis Ltd.
First release
2019
2009
Latest version
1.1.0 (Dec 17, 2025)
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
3.6
84.3
Rank
#432
#2
GitHub stars
3.6K
77.1K
Stack Overflow questions
–
25.4K
scale & guarantees
Comfortable data size
Small (≤ 100 GB)
Medium (≤ 10 TB)
Horizontal scaling
None
Native
Multi-region
None
Active active
ACID
Full
Limited
Consistency
Strong
Eventual
Schema
Schemaless
Schemaless
Architecture
Embedded
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
Go API
Redis commands (RESP), Lua, Redis Query Engine (FT.*)
Client languages
Go
Python, Java, JavaScript, Go, C#, Rust, Ruby, PHP
Best for
Embedded, Cache, Queue
Cache, Sessions, Queue, Pub/Sub
Add more to this comparisonNot sure either fits? Try smart match

NutsDB vs Redis: FAQ

What is the difference between NutsDB and Redis?

NutsDB: Pure-Go embedded key-value store with Bitcask storage and Redis-like lists, sets and sorted sets. Redis: The in-memory data structure server that became the default cache, now with search, JSON and vectors built in. Licensing: NutsDB is open source (permissive) (Apache License 2.0); Redis is open source (copyleft) (Tri-license: AGPLv3, RSALv2 or SSPLv1 (Redis 8+)). Redis is built for larger datasets (≤ 10 TB) than NutsDB (≤ 100 GB). Horizontal scaling is none in NutsDB and native in Redis.

When should I choose NutsDB over Redis?

Choose NutsDB for embedded queues and leaderboards in Go services; local caches with TTL; and replacing a sidecar Redis for single-process apps. Choose Redis for application and database query caching; session storage and user tokens; and rate limiting and distributed locks.

Is NutsDB or Redis more popular?

Redis ranks #2 on the WhichDB Score (84.3/100) and NutsDB ranks #432 (3.6/100). Popularity is not fit: check the requirements that matter for your project.

Are NutsDB and Redis open source?

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