ApsaraDB RDS Database Proxy
ApsaraDB RDS Database Proxy: A focused managed proxy for MySQL workloads needing routing, pooling, and failover support. Ranked #12 of 31 in Database Proxy Software by our editors (8.0/10); pricing: Free plan; best for managed MySQL proxying on Alibaba Cloud.
At a glance
- Editor score8.0 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forManaged MySQL proxying on Alibaba Cloud
- Free planYes
- Deployment modelManaged
- Facts checked20 Sep 2026
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
Our verdict on ApsaraDB RDS Database Proxy
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 connection counts, frequent short-lived connections, read-heavy traffic, or requirements for continuity during maintenance and failover events. Its focus is clear: managed proxying for MySQL rather than a broad, multi-database proxy layer.
The published plans separate shared and exclusive resource options. The General-purpose plan uses shared physical CPU resources and includes read/write splitting, connection pooling, and SSL encryption. The Dedicated plan uses exclusive physical CPU resources and adds persistent connections during failovers while retaining read/write splitting, connection pooling, and SSL encryption. General-purpose proxies are free, while Dedicated proxies follow a pay-as-you-go model. This makes the service suitable for teams that want a managed proxy without adding a charge for the general-purpose option, while dedicated capacity is intended for workloads with stronger resource isolation needs.
Its strongest technical fit is traffic and connection management around RDS MySQL. Automatic read/write splitting routes requests between primary and read-only instances, while transaction splitting and proxy-level pooling address common connection and routing requirements. Persistent connections can remain available during switchovers, and dedicated proxies support persistence during failovers. Single-zone and dual-zone deployment, together with automatic traffic failover between proxy nodes, supports availability planning. Teams operating Alibaba Cloud RDS for MySQL should consider it when these capabilities match their architecture. Organizations needing support beyond MySQL or a broader integration ecosystem should choose a more general proxy option.
Questions about ApsaraDB RDS Database Proxy
Does ApsaraDB RDS Database Proxy have a free plan? Yes: the General-purpose plan is free.
What does ApsaraDB RDS Database Proxy run on? Web. It runs in the cloud.
Who is ApsaraDB RDS Database Proxy built for? Small businesses, mid-market companies and enterprises (our editorial estimate).
Your product? Our editors can test ApsaraDB RDS Database Proxy in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →
ApsaraDB RDS Database Proxy pricing
All 2 ApsaraDB RDS Database Proxy plans and prices →
ApsaraDB RDS Database Proxy fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Not verified |
| Deployment model | Managed |
| Connection pooling | Yes |
| Query routing | Yes |
| Load balancing | Yes |
| Automatic failover | Yes |
| Supported databases | MySQL |
| Maximum connections | Not verified |
| Deployment | Cloud |
| Platforms | Web |
| Compliance & security | PCI DSS |
| Support | Live chat, Tickets, Docs · 24/7 |
| Built for | Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Pricing | Free plan (source) |
| Website | alibabacloud.com |
| Facts checked | 20 Sep 2026 |
Alternatives to ApsaraDB RDS Database Proxy
- Heimdall Database ProxyA broad database proxy with pooling, routing, analytics, security, and failover.9.4
- ProxySQLA free, open-source proxy for routing, pooling, balancing, and managing database traffic.9.2
- ShardingSphere-ProxyA self-hosted proxy for routing, scaling, and high availability across four database protocols.9.0
See all ApsaraDB RDS Database Proxy alternatives →
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Nov 2026
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