vs

Readyset vs Redis

Readyset: A wire-compatible SQL cache for Postgres and MySQL that keeps cached queries fresh from replication. Redis: The in-memory data structure server that became the default cache, now with search, JSON and vectors built in.

key differences

  • Readyset is primarily a relational database; Redis is key-value.
  • Licensing: Readyset is source-available (Business Source License 1.1); Redis is open source (copyleft) (Tri-license: AGPLv3, RSALv2 or SSPLv1 (Redis 8+)).
  • Horizontal scaling is manual in Readyset and native in Redis.
  • Transactions: Readyset offers none ACID; Redis offers limited.
  • Only Readyset has joins, change data capture, materialized views.
  • Only Redis has transactions, secondary indexes, full-text search, vector search, geospatial.

choose readyset for

  • +Offloading repetitive read queries from Postgres or MySQL
  • +Replacing Redis-based query caches with automatic invalidation
  • +Scaling read-heavy SaaS dashboards

best at · Cache, OLTP

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

overview
Primary model
Relational
Key-Value
Also supports
–
Document, Vector, Time-Series, Search Engine
Type
Database engine
Database engine
Status
Active
Active
Developer
ReadySet, Inc.
Redis Ltd.
First release
2022
2009
Latest version
stable-261022 (Oct 22, 2026)
8.10.3 (Oct 26, 2026)
License
Source-availableBusiness Source License 1.1
Open source (copyleft)Tri-license: AGPLv3, RSALv2 or SSPLv1 (Redis 8+)
Free tier
✓
✓
popularity
WhichDB Score
12.7
84.3
Rank
#264
#2
GitHub stars
5.3K
77.1K
Stack Overflow questions
–
25.4K
scale & guarantees
Comfortable data size
Medium (≤ 10 TB)
Medium (≤ 10 TB)
Horizontal scaling
Manual
Native
Multi-region
None
Active active
ACID
None
Limited
Consistency
Eventual
Eventual
Schema
Strict
Schemaless
Architecture
Single node, 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
SQL
Redis commands (RESP), Lua, Redis Query Engine (FT.*)
Client languages
Any Postgres/MySQL driver
Python, Java, JavaScript, Go, C#, Rust, Ruby, PHP
Best for
Cache, OLTP
Cache, Sessions, Queue, Pub/Sub

Readyset vs Redis: FAQ

What is the difference between Readyset and Redis?

Readyset: A wire-compatible SQL cache for Postgres and MySQL that keeps cached queries fresh from replication. Redis: The in-memory data structure server that became the default cache, now with search, JSON and vectors built in. Readyset is primarily a relational database; Redis is key-value. Licensing: Readyset is source-available (Business Source License 1.1); Redis is open source (copyleft) (Tri-license: AGPLv3, RSALv2 or SSPLv1 (Redis 8+)). Horizontal scaling is manual in Readyset and native in Redis.

When should I choose Readyset over Redis?

Choose Readyset for offloading repetitive read queries from Postgres or MySQL, replacing Redis-based query caches with automatic invalidation and scaling read-heavy SaaS dashboards. Choose Redis for application and database query caching; session storage and user tokens; and rate limiting and distributed locks.

Is Readyset or Redis more popular?

Redis ranks #2 on the WhichDB Score (84.3/100) and Readyset ranks #264 (12.7/100). Popularity is not fit: check the requirements that matter for your project.

Are Readyset and Redis open source?

Not in the OSI sense. Readyset is source-available: you can read the code, but the license restricts some uses, typically offering it as a competing managed service. License: Business Source License 1.1. Yes. Redis is open source. License: Tri-license: AGPLv3, RSALv2 or SSPLv1 (Redis 8+).