Amazon ElastiCache
Amazon ElastiCache: A broad managed cache service for applications already built around AWS. Ranked #2 of 27 in Redis Hosting by our editors (9.2/10); pricing: Paid; best for AWS users needing broad managed cache infrastructure.
At a glance
- Editor score9.2 / 10
- PricingPaid
- Best forAWS users needing broad managed cache infrastructure
- Free planNo
- Paid from$6/mo
- Founded2006
- Facts checked21 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Serverless Valkey starts at $6 per month with automatic scaling
- Supports Valkey, Memcached, and Redis OSS
- Includes failover, snapshots, encryption, and cross-Region replication
Where it doesn't
- Pricing varies by engine, Region, storage, compute, and requests
- The broad configuration options may require AWS expertise
- Teams outside AWS may not need its extensive service integrations
Our verdict on Amazon ElastiCache
Amazon ElastiCache is a managed, cloud-based in-memory data store and caching service for applications that need low-latency data access. It supports serverless caches and node-based clusters using Valkey, Memcached, or Redis OSS. Typical uses include application caching, session stores, data stores, leaderboards, messaging, and semantic caching. It fits teams running web, API, Windows, macOS, or Linux workloads that want AWS to handle provisioning, monitoring, patching, scaling, replication, backups, and encryption.
Pricing is usage-based rather than a fixed unlimited subscription. The published Serverless Valkey plan starts at $6 per month and includes usage-based serverless caching, Valkey compatibility, and automatic scaling. The vendor notes that the final price varies by engine, Region, storage, compute, and request volume, so the starting figure is most useful as an entry point. Node-based clusters add configurable node types and placement, while the service also supports automatic and manual snapshots, Multi-AZ replication, automatic failover, and durability through a Multi-AZ transactional log.
Its strongest fit is the AWS ecosystem. ElastiCache connects with Amazon CloudWatch, AWS CloudTrail, AWS IAM, Amazon VPC, AWS PrivateLink, AWS KMS, Amazon S3, Amazon EventBridge, Amazon SNS, AWS CloudFormation, Amazon Aurora, and Amazon RDS. Security and operations features include encryption in transit and at rest, VPC network isolation, monitoring metrics, and Global Datastore cross-Region replication. Choose it when AWS integration, deployment flexibility, and high availability matter. Teams seeking a simpler standalone cache service, or those without a broader AWS footprint, may prefer a narrower alternative.
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Amazon ElastiCache pricing
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Amazon ElastiCache fact sheet
| Free plan | No |
|---|---|
| Paid from | $6/mo |
| Memory limit | Not verified |
| Persistent storage | Yes |
| High availability | Yes |
| Redis compatibility | Both |
| Private networking | Yes |
| Automatic backups | Yes |
| TLS encryption | Yes |
| Deployment | Cloud |
| Platforms | Web, Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Compliance & security | SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA, PCI DSS |
| Support | Docs |
| Built for | Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 12 integrations: Amazon CloudWatch, AWS CloudTrail, AWS IAM, Amazon VPC, AWS PrivateLink, AWS KMS … |
| Pricing | Paid (source) |
| Website | aws.amazon.com |
| Facts checked | 21 Sep 2026 |
Amazon ElastiCache integrations
Amazon ElastiCache lists 12 integrations on its own site.
- Amazon CloudWatch
- AWS CloudTrail
- AWS IAM
- Amazon VPC
- AWS PrivateLink
- AWS KMS
- Amazon S3
- Amazon EventBridge
- Amazon SNS
- AWS CloudFormation
- Amazon Aurora
- Amazon RDS
Alternatives to Amazon ElastiCache
- Aiven for ValkeyA managed Valkey service with a free tier, private networking, backups, and high availability.9.4
- Upstash RedisA flexible Redis service with REST access, usage pricing, and strong edge-platform support.9.0
- Amazon MemoryDBA durable, AWS-native Redis-compatible database for demanding application workloads.8.9
See all Amazon ElastiCache alternatives →
Amazon ElastiCache vs the competition
- Amazon ElastiCache vs Aiven for Valkey
- Amazon ElastiCache vs Upstash Redis
- Amazon ElastiCache vs Amazon MemoryDB
- Amazon ElastiCache vs Azure Managed Redis
- Amazon ElastiCache vs Alibaba Cloud Tair
- Amazon ElastiCache vs IBM Cloud Databases for Redis
Compare Amazon ElastiCache with any tool side by side →
Also Ranked In
Amazon ElastiCache is ranked in 4 of our directories.
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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