Redis vs Valkey Which In-Memory Database Is Best in 2025

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Comparing Redis and Valkey Features

Explore the key differences between Redis and Valkey.

You want the top in-memory database for 2025. Redis Valkey has emerged as a popular choice since Redis changed its license, prompting many users to explore alternatives. Valkey stands out now because it operates under a BSD license, allowing for greater flexibility with fewer restrictions. Small groups are increasingly selecting Valkey for its freedom and ease of switching. Ultimately, choosing between Redis and Valkey depends on your specific needs. Consider factors such as support, documentation, and open-source options. If you prioritize a large community and open rules, Valkey might be the best fit for you.

Key Takeaways

• Redis is a trusted in-memory database. It has a big community. This makes it great for reliable apps. - Valkey uses a fully open-source BSD license. This gives developers more freedom and flexibility. - Both Redis and Valkey are fast and use memory well. But Valkey is faster in new tests. - Think about your needs, like community help and licensing, when picking Redis or Valkey. - Plan well if you move from Redis to Valkey. This helps keep the switch smooth and your data safe.

Redis Valkey Overview

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Redis Summary

Redis is a trusted in-memory database. Many developers use Redis to make fast apps. Redis helps with caching, real-time analytics, and AI tasks. It works with many data types like strings, hashes, sets, and streams. Redis connects well with cloud services like AWS and Azure. There is a huge community for Redis, so help is easy to find. Its data structures use memory well and work fast. Redis is stable and has worked well for years. You can trust Redis for important jobs.

Redis has tools like Redis Insight to help you see and fix problems. The Redis Query Engine lets you search data quickly. Redis Flex helps you cache more data without paying extra. These tools make Redis a top pick for many people in 2025.

Valkey Summary

Valkey is a new, fast key-value database. You can use Valkey for caching and real-time data jobs. Valkey is fully open-source and run by the community. Its license will not change, so it is stable. Valkey is made to replace Redis, so switching is simple. It works with Redis clients and commands. Valkey has cool features like multi-threaded I/O and RDMA for fast networking. These features make it run better on new computers.

Valkey started as a copy of Redis 7.2.4. It was the same at first, but now Valkey has its own plans. Valkey adds things like JSON support and vector search. The team works openly and listens to the community. Valkey’s plugin system lets you add new data types and ways to use data. Valkey 8.0 and 8.1 use memory better and have improved data structures.

Here is a quick comparison of Redis Valkey features and strengths:

• Both Redis and Valkey are fast and use memory well.

• You can use the same protocol with both.

• Valkey is special because it is open-source and tries new things.

• Redis has more tools and works with more cloud services.

Pick Redis or Valkey based on what you need for speed, license, and community.

Key Differences

Licensing

Licensing is a big difference between Redis and Valkey. Redis and Valkey use different licenses. In 2025, Redis uses RSALv2 and SSPLv1. These licenses are not fully open source. Valkey uses the BSD 3-clause license. This license is fully open source. It gives you more freedom.

Here is a simple table comparing their licenses:

Valkey’s BSD license lets you use and share the software easily. You can change it and build new things. This helps the community grow. Redis’s licenses have more rules. Some users worry about vendor lock-in. They also worry about open-source development. If you work in a strict industry, Redis’s license may be harder to use. Valkey’s BSD license is simple and supports open-source ideas.

Note: Many developers now look at Valkey because Redis changed its license.

Maturity and Community

Maturity and community support matter when picking a database. Redis has been around for a long time. Many people trust Redis for important jobs. It has lots of tools and strong support.

Valkey is newer. It started as a copy of Redis. Now, Valkey is growing fast. The Valkey community is very active. There are more pull requests and project authors. This means lots of new ideas. Valkey’s ecosystem is still smaller. You may not find as many tools as Redis.

Here is a table with some community numbers:

• Redis is stable and trusted by many companies.

• Valkey has a fast-growing community with new ideas.

• Redis is best if you need strong reliability.

• Valkey is great if you want to join an open-source project.

Feature Set

Redis and Valkey both work fast and have low latency. You can use them for caching and analytics. Redis has many data structures and special tools. These tools help you manage and watch your data.

Valkey is made for adding new features. Its module system lets you add plugins. With Valkey 8.1, you can make new scripting engines. This makes Valkey flexible. Valkey also has fast networking and multi-threaded I/O. This helps it run well on new computers.

Here is a quick feature list:

• Redis has many tools and integrations.

• Valkey lets you add plugins and new data types.

• Both support open source client libraries.

• Redis has a bigger ecosystem.

• Valkey’s open source model helps new features grow fast.

Tip: If you want a database that changes quickly, Valkey is a good choice because it is open source and easy to extend.

Performance Comparison

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Throughput and Latency

When you pick a fast data store, you want to know how quick it is. Throughput means how many things the database can do each second. Latency means how fast it answers each request. Both Redis and Valkey try to be fast and answer quickly. Recent tests show some differences between them.

Here is a table that shows the latest throughput and latency:

Valkey 8.0 can do 1.19 million requests every second. Redis 8.0 does 821,400 GET and 729,400 SET requests each second. Valkey 8.1 is also fast, with almost 1 million GET and SET each second. For latency, Valkey 8.1 is quicker, with average times as low as 0.21 milliseconds for GET. Redis 8.0 has average times of 0.44 milliseconds for GET and 0.51 for SET.

If you need a database that is fast and answers quickly, both are good. Valkey is faster and answers quicker in new tests. This makes Valkey a good pick for real-time analytics and streaming. It is also good for jobs that need top speed.

You may wonder how these work in real life. Valkey is made for fast jobs. It uses the CPU well and can do many things at once. You can use Valkey instead of Redis without changing your app. Many people see Valkey lowers wait times and costs in ETL or streaming systems.

Tip: If your business needs fast answers and lots of requests, Valkey is a smart choice for your next project.

Hardware Utilization

How a database uses hardware is important for speed. Redis and Valkey use your server’s power in different ways. Redis is stable and uses one thread. Valkey uses real multi-threaded I/O. This lets Valkey handle more users and requests at the same time. It works best on servers with many cores.

Here is a table that shows how each uses hardware:

Valkey supports RDMA, which moves data between servers very fast. RDMA can make throughput up to 275% better. RDMA is still being tested and only works on Linux. You cannot use TLS with RDMA, and copying data still needs TCP or TLS. Still, RDMA helps Valkey for jobs that need super-fast networking.

Valkey also uses resources well for big systems. Its multi-threaded I/O uses all CPU cores, not just one. This means you can help more users at once and keep answers quick. Redis does not use multi-threading like Valkey. If you run big systems or want to grow, Valkey helps you get more from your hardware.

• Valkey can handle more users and requests at once.

• Valkey keeps getting better at using memory, thanks to updates.

• Redis is still a good choice for many jobs, but Valkey’s hardware features help it stand out for fast needs.

Note: If you want to use your server’s power and get top speed, Valkey’s hardware features give you more ways to do that.

Scalability

Horizontal Scaling

You want your database to grow as your needs get bigger. Horizontal scaling means you add more servers to handle more users and data. Both Redis and Valkey let you do this, but they work in different ways.

Redis has some problems when you go from one server to a group. Redis Cluster uses sharding, which splits data between servers. This can make multi-key transactions hard because you lose atomicity. Adding more servers does not always save money, since RAM is still costly. Redis uses a single-threaded event loop. It cannot do many reads and writes at the same time. You need more servers for big jobs, but this makes things more complex.

Valkey uses the same cluster model as Redis. You can use sharding and partitioning like in Redis. Valkey’s multi-threaded I/O lets it handle more requests at once. This gives you better scaling for real-time data and caching. When you add more servers to Valkey, you see better speed, especially on new hardware.

If you want easy scaling, Valkey’s design helps you grow your system. You can handle more users and data without slowing down.

Vertical Scaling

Vertical scaling means making one server stronger by adding more CPU or memory. Both Redis and Valkey let you do this, but they use different ways to manage resources.

Here is a table that shows how Redis and Valkey handle vertical scaling and resources:

Valkey also lets you scale up. You can add more memory and CPU to your server, and Valkey will use them well. Its multi-threaded design helps you get the most from your hardware. You can run bigger jobs and keep things fast.

Tip: If you want your database to grow, start by making one server stronger. When you reach its limit, add more servers for even more growth.

Memory Management

Efficiency

If you pick an in-memory data store, you want it to use memory well. Redis and Valkey both try to keep memory use low. They still work fast even with big jobs. You can trust both to handle lots of data without wasting space.

• Valkey uses key-value storage to keep memory use small. This helps even when your app gets bigger.

• Valkey is a good pick if you need to cache lots of data or run jobs that use lots of memory.

• Redis uses smart data structures to save space. You can store more data in less memory.

• Both databases use a single-threaded core for most tasks. This keeps latency steady and memory use stable.

Valkey’s new updates help it manage memory better. You can run bigger jobs and not run out of space. Redis is still good at saving memory, especially for important jobs.

Tip: If you want to spend less on hardware, choose a database that saves memory. Redis and Valkey both do this well.

Persistence

Sometimes you need your database to keep data safe if the server turns off. Redis and Valkey both have strong ways to protect your data.

Both let you use RDB snapshots to save all your data at certain times. You can also use AOF to log every change. Valkey lets you pick how often it saves changes to disk. You can set it to save every second, every query, or not at all. This helps you choose between speed and safety.

Valkey’s AOF log only adds new changes, so it does not break if power goes out. It can rewrite the log in the background if it gets too big. Redis has similar features but fewer choices for fsync policies.

Note: If you want more control over keeping your data safe, Valkey’s settings give you extra comfort.

Observability

Monitoring Tools

You want to watch your database and see how it works. Redis and Valkey both have tools for this. You can check latency and memory use. These are important things to know. Redis uses the INFO command to show server details. You can see how fast it answers and how much memory it uses.

Valkey also has the INFO command. It gives you the same basic stats as Redis. Valkey adds new ways to watch your cluster. You can see per-slot metrics. This helps you know how each part of your cluster is doing. Valkey has a CLUSTER SLOT-STATS command. It shows how data moves between servers. Valkey will add more memory metrics in version 8.2. Soon, you will get even more details.

Here is a table that compares Redis and Valkey:

Tip: Valkey gives you more advanced ways to see what is happening in your cluster.

Integrations

You want your database to work with other tools. Redis connects with many monitoring platforms. You can use Prometheus, Grafana, and Datadog with Redis. These tools help you set alerts and see charts. You can also use Redis Insight to look at your data and fix problems.

Valkey works with many of the same tools. You can use Prometheus and Grafana with Valkey. The community makes plugins and exporters for Valkey. This lets you connect Valkey to your favorite tools. Valkey is open-source, so you can add new integrations easily. You can track metrics, set alerts, and build dashboards.

• Redis works with many monitoring tools.

• Valkey supports popular integrations and lets you add new ones.

Note: Valkey’s open-source plugins help you build the monitoring setup you want.

Valkey vs Redis Use Cases

Caching

Caching helps apps run faster and work better. Both redis and valkey keep data in memory. This means users get answers quickly. Here are some ways you can use caching with these databases:

• Make web apps faster by saving session data and lowering backend work.

• Save data for real-time analytics, like counting visitors or tracking places.

• Handle queues for background jobs using pub/sub and streams.

• Store database results to stop asking for the same data again.

Redis has special tools to watch and manage your cache. You can use Redis Insight to check your cache and fix issues fast. Valkey is flexible and lets you add new caching features with plugins. If you want a steady system with many tools, redis is a good pick. If you want to try new things and grow your cache, valkey gives you more choices.

Real-Time Data

Many new apps need real-time data. Both redis and valkey keep data in memory and answer fast. This means users see changes right away. The table below shows how each database helps with real-time needs:

Valkey is good for online stores that must update stock quickly. Redis works for many real-time jobs, like chat apps and dashboards.

AI and Advanced Workloads

You might want to make smart apps or use machine learning. Redis 8.0 has special data types like time-series, native JSON, search, and vector structures. These help you build smart search and AI systems. Valkey also has JSON and search, but redis has more built-in tools for hard AI jobs. If your project needs strong AI features, redis is usually the best pick. Valkey’s open-source style lets you add new features as you need them.

Tip: Pick redis for advanced AI and analytics. Choose valkey if you want to add new uses to your database.

Choosing Redis or Valkey

Decision Criteria

You want to choose the best database for your project. First, think about what you need most. If you want lots of tools, redis has many options. Redis has a big group of people who can help. It works well for AI, analytics, and caching jobs. If you want your database to stay open-source, valkey is a good choice. Valkey uses a BSD license and grows with help from the community. You can add plugins and new data types to valkey. This is helpful if you want to try new things or need more choices.

Think about your workload. Redis is great for important jobs and strong AI features. Valkey is better if you want fast speed and easy scaling. Valkey gives you multi-threaded I/O and RDMA support. If you care about rules for using software, valkey’s BSD license lets you do more. Redis uses RSALv2 and SSPLv1, which have extra rules.

Here is a checklist to help you pick:

• Do you need special tools and ways to connect?

• Is open-source important for your team?

• Will you need to grow fast or want top speed?

• Do you want to join a growing community?

• Does your project need AI or analytics features?

Tip: Write down what you must have. Match your needs to what redis or valkey gives you.

Migration Considerations

Switching between redis and valkey takes planning. You want to keep your data safe and avoid problems. Start by checking if your versions work together. Make sure your client libraries fit both redis and valkey. Save a backup before you start. Test your plan in a real-world setup.

Follow these steps for a smooth switch:

1. Plan when to change. Find important jobs and set goals. Make a plan to go back if needed.

2. Move traffic slowly. Use a read proxy and watch how it works. Add more reads step by step.

3. Handle writes carefully. Turn on dual writes and check if data matches. Move writes slowly.

4. Watch and fix things. Use tools to check speed and data. Change settings if you need to.

Write down every step you take. Test your switch with real data. Make sure all commands and data types work in the new system. Get your setup ready and tell your team what is happening.

Note: Careful planning and testing help you switch between redis and valkey without trouble.

You have to pick between Redis and Valkey in 2025. The table below shows how their licenses are different:

Valkey is good for open-source fans who want better speed. It uses multi-threading and asynchronous I/O for faster work. Big tech companies help Valkey’s community stay strong. This means Valkey will get support for a long time. Redis is a great choice for big companies that need advanced clustering. It has lots of tools and is trusted by many. Startups might like Valkey more because it is flexible. Valkey also brings new ideas to clustering quickly.

“When the Linux Foundation shared its plans for Valkey last March, Percona quickly supported the project… we will keep helping and promoting this kind of world.”

Think about what you need now and later before you choose.

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