KeyDB
KeyDB: A free, self-hosted Redis-compatible database for multithreaded workloads. Ranked #18 of 24 in In-Memory Databases by our editors (7.3/10); pricing: Free plan; best for free self-hosted multithreaded Redis-compatible use.
At a glance
- Editor score7.3 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forFree self-hosted multithreaded Redis-compatible use
- Free planYes
- Paid fromFree
- DeploymentSelf-hosted
- Founded2019
- Facts checked20 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Multithreaded engine with Redis compatibility
- Persistence, replication, failover, and clustering
- TLS, access-control lists, scripting, streams, and native data types
Where it doesn't
- Requires self-hosted deployment
- No SQL support
- No vector search
Our verdict on KeyDB
KeyDB is an open-source, in-memory data structure store for use as a database, cache, or message broker. It is designed for self-hosted workloads that need a Redis-compatible server with multithreading, high throughput, and low latency. KeyDB supports Linux and macOS, and can be deployed through Docker, packages, or source builds. Its data structures include strings, lists, sets, sorted sets, hashes, bitmaps, HyperLogLogs, and streams.
KeyDB is free and open source, making it a direct fit for teams that want to run the database themselves without a paid product tier. The feature set covers both core storage and operational needs: RDB and AOF persistence, master-replica and active replication, automatic failover, Sentinel, and KeyDB Cluster sharding. Transactions, Lua scripting, TTL expiration, and LRU eviction add control for application state, caching, and messaging workloads. TLS encryption and access-control lists provide security controls within the self-hosted deployment model.
Its main strength is breadth within the Redis-compatible, in-memory database space rather than SQL or analytical workloads. Streams and publish/subscribe support messaging patterns, while clustering and replication address distributed deployment needs. KeyDB is a strong choice for teams comfortable managing Linux or macOS infrastructure and looking for a free multithreaded alternative for database, cache, or message-broker use. Teams that require SQL support, vector search, or a managed deployment should choose a different product.
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KeyDB pricing
KeyDB fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| Deployment | Self-hosted |
| Data persistence | Yes |
| High availability | Yes |
| SQL support | No |
| Vector search | No |
| Included memory | Not verified |
| Supported data models | strings, lists, sets, sorted sets, hashes, bitmaps, HyperLogLogs, streams |
| Deployment | Self-hosted |
| Platforms | Linux, macOS |
| Support | Community, Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | keydb.dev |
| Facts checked | 20 Sep 2026 |
Alternatives to KeyDB
- Couchbase ServerA broad in-memory platform with free production use and extensive database capabilities.9.4
- Apache IgniteOpen-source distributed SQL with in-memory speed, persistence, transactions, and compute.9.2
- InfinispanA Java-centric choice for clustered caching, persistence, replication, and search.9.0
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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