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MemSQL

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MemSQL vs Redis: What are the differences?

Introduction

MemSQL and Redis are both popular in-memory databases used for different purposes. While MemSQL is a distributed database system designed for data warehousing and real-time analytics, Redis is an open-source cache and message broker often used for caching and session management. Here are the key differences between MemSQL and Redis:

  1. Data Model: MemSQL is a SQL database, meaning it uses structured query language to organize and retrieve data. It supports traditional tables, rows, and columns, along with SQL transactions and joins. On the other hand, Redis is a key-value store, where data is stored and retrieved based on unique keys. It doesn't support complex data structures or querying capabilities like MemSQL does.

  2. Performance and Scalability: MemSQL is known for its high performance and scalability. It can handle massive amounts of data and process queries in real-time, making it suitable for handling large datasets and complex analytics. Redis, on the other hand, is optimized for low-latency operations and can efficiently handle high read/write loads. It excels in scenarios where quick data retrieval and caching are required.

  3. Persistence: MemSQL offers both in-memory and disk-based storage options. It can persist data to disk for durability and recovery in case of failures. Redis, on the other hand, primarily stores data in memory and provides optional persistence to disk. It is not meant to be a primary data store with strong durability guarantees.

  4. Data Structures and Features: MemSQL provides a wide array of SQL features, including support for multiple data types, indexing, and complex queries. It also offers built-in functionality for transaction processing and distributed joins. Redis, on the other hand, provides a limited set of data structures like strings, hashes, sets, and lists. It also includes additional features such as pub/sub messaging, geo-spatial indexing, and Lua scripting.

  5. Replication and Clustering: MemSQL supports automatic data replication and offers various clustering options to ensure high availability and fault tolerance. It can distribute data across multiple nodes and provide seamless failover. Redis, on the other hand, offers replication as well but requires additional mechanisms like Redis Sentinel or Redis Cluster for clustering and high availability.

  6. Community and Ecosystem: MemSQL is a commercial database product with a smaller user and developer community compared to open-source Redis. Redis has a large and vibrant community, providing extensive documentation, libraries, and third-party integrations. It benefits from widespread adoption and continuous development by contributors worldwide.

In summary, MemSQL and Redis differ in terms of their data models, performance characteristics, persistence mechanisms, available features, replication and clustering options, and community support. These differences make each database more suitable for specific use cases and scenarios.

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Pros of MemSQL
Pros of Redis
  • 8
    Distributed
  • 4
    Realtime
  • 3
    Sql
  • 3
    Concurrent
  • 3
    JSON
  • 3
    Columnstore
  • 2
    Scalable
  • 2
    Ultra fast
  • 1
    Availability Group
  • 1
    Mixed workload
  • 1
    Pipeline
  • 1
    Unlimited Storage Database
  • 886
    Performance
  • 542
    Super fast
  • 513
    Ease of use
  • 444
    In-memory cache
  • 324
    Advanced key-value cache
  • 194
    Open source
  • 182
    Easy to deploy
  • 164
    Stable
  • 155
    Free
  • 121
    Fast
  • 42
    High-Performance
  • 40
    High Availability
  • 35
    Data Structures
  • 32
    Very Scalable
  • 24
    Replication
  • 22
    Great community
  • 22
    Pub/Sub
  • 19
    "NoSQL" key-value data store
  • 16
    Hashes
  • 13
    Sets
  • 11
    Sorted Sets
  • 10
    NoSQL
  • 10
    Lists
  • 9
    Async replication
  • 9
    BSD licensed
  • 8
    Bitmaps
  • 8
    Integrates super easy with Sidekiq for Rails background
  • 7
    Keys with a limited time-to-live
  • 7
    Open Source
  • 6
    Lua scripting
  • 6
    Strings
  • 5
    Awesomeness for Free
  • 5
    Hyperloglogs
  • 4
    Transactions
  • 4
    Outstanding performance
  • 4
    Runs server side LUA
  • 4
    LRU eviction of keys
  • 4
    Feature Rich
  • 4
    Written in ANSI C
  • 4
    Networked
  • 3
    Data structure server
  • 3
    Performance & ease of use
  • 2
    Dont save data if no subscribers are found
  • 2
    Automatic failover
  • 2
    Easy to use
  • 2
    Temporarily kept on disk
  • 2
    Scalable
  • 2
    Existing Laravel Integration
  • 2
    Channels concept
  • 2
    Object [key/value] size each 500 MB
  • 2
    Simple

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Cons of MemSQL
Cons of Redis
    Be the first to leave a con
    • 15
      Cannot query objects directly
    • 3
      No secondary indexes for non-numeric data types
    • 1
      No WAL

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    What is MemSQL?

    MemSQL converges transactions and analytics for sub-second data processing and reporting. Real-time businesses can build robust applications on a simple and scalable infrastructure that complements and extends existing data pipelines.

    What is Redis?

    Redis is an open source (BSD licensed), in-memory data structure store, used as a database, cache, and message broker. Redis provides data structures such as strings, hashes, lists, sets, sorted sets with range queries, bitmaps, hyperloglogs, geospatial indexes, and streams.

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    Jobs that mention MemSQL and Redis as a desired skillset
    LaunchDarkly
    Oakland, California, United States
    What companies use MemSQL?
    What companies use Redis?
    See which teams inside your own company are using MemSQL or Redis.
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    What tools integrate with MemSQL?
    What tools integrate with Redis?

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    What are some alternatives to MemSQL and Redis?
    VoltDB
    VoltDB is a fundamental redesign of the RDBMS that provides unparalleled performance and scalability on bare-metal, virtualized and cloud infrastructures. VoltDB is a modern in-memory architecture that supports both SQL + Java with data durability and fault tolerance.
    MongoDB
    MongoDB stores data in JSON-like documents that can vary in structure, offering a dynamic, flexible schema. MongoDB was also designed for high availability and scalability, with built-in replication and auto-sharding.
    Cassandra
    Partitioning means that Cassandra can distribute your data across multiple machines in an application-transparent matter. Cassandra will automatically repartition as machines are added and removed from the cluster. Row store means that like relational databases, Cassandra organizes data by rows and columns. The Cassandra Query Language (CQL) is a close relative of SQL.
    MySQL
    The MySQL software delivers a very fast, multi-threaded, multi-user, and robust SQL (Structured Query Language) database server. MySQL Server is intended for mission-critical, heavy-load production systems as well as for embedding into mass-deployed software.
    Apache Ignite
    It is a memory-centric distributed database, caching, and processing platform for transactional, analytical, and streaming workloads delivering in-memory speeds at petabyte scale
    See all alternatives