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Head-to-head · Database Proxy Software

ShardingSphere-Proxy vs ApsaraDB RDS Database Proxy

  • Updated Nov 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score ShardingSphere-Proxy #3 in Database Proxy Software 9.0/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit ShardingSphere
ApsaraDB RDS Database Proxy #12 in Database Proxy Software 8.0/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit Alibaba Cloud

ShardingSphere-Proxy leads on 0 checks, ApsaraDB RDS Database Proxy on 0, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreShardingSphere-Proxy · 9.0/10
  • Free planboth

ShardingSphere-Proxy scores higher on our rubric for database proxy software: 9.0 against 8.0 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #12.

On deployment model, ApsaraDB RDS Database Proxy gives you Managed where ShardingSphere-Proxy offers Self-hosted.

ShardingSphere-Proxy is the better fit for open-source multi-database proxy deployments. ApsaraDB RDS Database Proxy is the better fit for managed MySQL proxying on Alibaba Cloud.

  • ShardingSphere-Proxy fits best

    Open-source multi-database proxy deployments

  • ApsaraDB RDS Database Proxy fits best

    Managed MySQL proxying on Alibaba Cloud

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Side by side

Feature ShardingSphere-Proxy 9.0/10 Visit ↗ ApsaraDB RDS Database Proxy 8.0/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.0 8.0
Ranking #3 in Database Proxy Software #12 in Database Proxy Software
Best for Open-source multi-database proxy deployments Managed MySQL proxying on Alibaba Cloud
Pricing model Free Free plan + paid
Starting price Free plan —
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Self-hosted Cloud
Platforms Linux, Windows, macOS Web
Support Community, Docs Live chat, Tickets, Docs · 24/7
Built for Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features ShardingSphere-Proxy 4/4 · ApsaraDB RDS Database Proxy 4/4
Connection pooling ✓ ✓
Query routing ✓ ✓
Load balancing ✓ ✓
Automatic failover ✓ ✓
Specs
Deployment model Self-hosted Managed
Supported databases MySQL, PostgreSQL, openGauss, Firebird MySQL
Maximum connections Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Combines sharding, routing, pooling, and read/write splitting
  • Supports failover, load balancing, migration, and distributed transactions
  • Runs on Linux, Windows, and macOS with four protocol options
  • Automatic read/write and transaction splitting
  • Connection pooling with persistent connections during failover
  • SSL endpoints with single-zone or dual-zone deployment
Cons
  • Self-hosted deployment requires teams to operate the proxy
  • No commercial paid tiers for teams seeking a managed plan
  • Protocol access centers on MySQL, PostgreSQL, openGauss, and Firebird
  • Designed specifically for Alibaba Cloud RDS for MySQL
  • Dedicated proxies use pay-as-you-go pricing
  • Does not cover databases outside MySQL
Our verdict

ShardingSphere-Proxy is a self-hosted transparent database proxy in the Apache ShardingSphere ecosystem. It provides a common proxy endpoint for applications and database tools while applying rules for sharding, query routing, read/write…

Read the review →

ApsaraDB RDS Database Proxy is a managed network proxy for Alibaba Cloud RDS for MySQL. It sits between applications and database instances, forwarding requests through proxy endpoints. The service is suited to workloads with high…

Read the review →
  1. ShardingSphere-ProxyDatabase Proxy Software 9.0Free plan
  2. ApsaraDB RDS Database ProxyDatabase Proxy Software 8.0Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • ShardingSphere-Proxy — where it wins

    • Combines sharding, routing, pooling, and read/write splitting
    • Supports failover, load balancing, migration, and distributed transactions
    • Runs on Linux, Windows, and macOS with four protocol options

    Where it doesn't

    • Self-hosted deployment requires teams to operate the proxy
    • No commercial paid tiers for teams seeking a managed plan
    • Protocol access centers on MySQL, PostgreSQL, openGauss, and Firebird

  • ApsaraDB RDS Database Proxy — where it wins

    • Automatic read/write and transaction splitting
    • Connection pooling with persistent connections during failover
    • SSL endpoints with single-zone or dual-zone deployment

    Where it doesn't

    • Designed specifically for Alibaba Cloud RDS for MySQL
    • Dedicated proxies use pay-as-you-go pricing
    • Does not cover databases outside MySQL

ShardingSphere-Proxy vs ApsaraDB RDS Database Proxy: questions

Which is better for database proxy software, ShardingSphere-Proxy or ApsaraDB RDS Database Proxy?

ShardingSphere-Proxy scores higher on our rubric for database proxy software: 9.0 against 8.0 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #12.

How do ShardingSphere-Proxy and ApsaraDB RDS Database Proxy compare?

All 5 checks we put side by side come out level: neither leads on any.

Do ShardingSphere-Proxy and ApsaraDB RDS Database Proxy have a free plan?

ShardingSphere-Proxy: Yes. ApsaraDB RDS Database Proxy: Yes.

More comparisons

All database proxy software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Nov 2026

Last updated · How we research and update