KeyDB

Free plan LinuxMacSelf-hosted

What KeyDB is

KeyDB is a free, open-source, in-memory database that can also be used as a cache and message broker. It supports the Redis API and protocol, so Redis client libraries work with it. The database handles strings, hashes, lists, sets, sorted sets, bitmaps, HyperLogLogs, geospatial indexes, and streams. For scale, it offers active replication or cluster mode with sharded data, as well as high-availability and automatic failover options. Its MVCC design lets snapshot queries such as SCAN and KEYS run alongside existing workloads without blocking them. KeyDB supports RDB snapshots and AOF command logging, with configurable durability preferences. The maker says a single node can process over 1 million operations per second and serve data with submillisecond latency. Linux and macOS are developed and tested, with Linux recommended for deployment; there is no official Windows build support. KeyDB is free, and support is community-based, with no paid support available.

Who it suits

KeyDB may suit developers and operators looking for a free, Redis-compatible in-memory database for database, cache, or message-broker use. Its scaling, replication, and persistence options can serve projects of different sizes.

What it does well

Free and open source
Redis clients and protocol supported
Active replication or cluster mode
RDB snapshots and AOF logging
TLS, authentication, and ACLs supported

What to know first

No official Windows build support
Paid support is unavailable
Linux is recommended for deployment

Getting started

Visit the KeyDB website.
Choose an installation route such as a Docker image, Linux package, or source build.
For macOS, consider the community-contributed Homebrew option.
Configure network access, TLS, authentication, and ACLs for your deployment.

Verdict

KeyDB offers Redis compatibility, multiple data structures, and scaling and persistence options without a listed price. Consider its Linux recommendation, security configuration guidance, and community-only support when assessing it for deployment.

Questions

Is KeyDB free?

Yes. KeyDB is listed as free and open source, with a free plan and no free trial.

Which operating systems does KeyDB support?

Linux and macOS are developed and tested, and Linux is recommended for deployment. There is no official Windows build support.

Can Redis clients work with KeyDB?

Yes. KeyDB supports the Redis API and protocol, and Redis client libraries work with it.

What installation options are available?

Officially managed options include Docker images, Ubuntu and Debian packages, CentOS RPM packages, and source builds. Community options include Homebrew, Kubernetes Helm, and an Arch Linux package.

Does KeyDB include paid support?

No. Support is community-based and managed by the KeyDB team at Snap; paid support is unavailable.

Does KeyDB support SQL or vector search?

SQL support and vector search are both listed as unavailable.

Facts from KeyDB's own pages

Additional deployment options: Community contributed options include Homebrew, a Kubernetes Helm chart, and an Arch Linux package. · docs.keydb.dev, 3 Oct 2026
Architecture: Its MVCC architecture allows snapshot queries, including SCAN and KEYS, to run concurrently without blocking existing workloads. · docs.keydb.dev, 2 Oct 2026
Compatibility: KeyDB is compatible with the Redis API and protocol, and Redis client libraries work with it. · docs.keydb.dev, 2 Oct 2026
Data structures: KeyDB supports strings, hashes, lists, sets, sorted sets, bitmaps, hyperloglogs, geospatial indexes, and streams. · docs.keydb.dev, 3 Oct 2026
Deployment: Officially managed download options include Docker images, Ubuntu and Debian packages, CentOS RPM packages, and source builds. · docs.keydb.dev, 3 Oct 2026
Founded: 2019 · keydb.dev, 28 Sept 2026
History: The project began in 2019 as a multithreaded Redis fork and found a permanent home at Snap at the end of 2021. · docs.keydb.dev, 2 Oct 2026
Integrations: Because KeyDB is Redis-compatible, the maker says Redis client libraries can also be used with KeyDB. · docs.keydb.dev, 3 Oct 2026
Intended users: The maker describes KeyDB as useful from small projects to workloads serving millions of users. · docs.keydb.dev, 2 Oct 2026
Multi-master: KeyDB supports asynchronous multi-master replication across regions using a last-write-wins method. · docs.keydb.dev, 3 Oct 2026
MVCC: Its MVCC architecture lets concurrent queries use database snapshots without blocking calls such as SCAN and KEYS. · docs.keydb.dev, 3 Oct 2026
Operating systems: The documentation says Linux and macOS are developed and tested, recommends Linux for deployment, and notes there is no official Windows build support. · docs.keydb.dev, 3 Oct 2026
Performance: The maker says a single KeyDB node benchmarks at over 1 million operations per second and that its multithreaded design outperforms Redis per node. · docs.keydb.dev, 3 Oct 2026
Persistence: KeyDB supports configurable RDB snapshots and AOF disk logging for persistence. · docs.keydb.dev, 3 Oct 2026
Product: KeyDB is a high-performance, open-source database and a drop-in alternative to Redis. · docs.keydb.dev, 2 Oct 2026
Purpose: KeyDB is an open source, in-memory database used as a database, cache, and message broker. · docs.keydb.dev, 3 Oct 2026
Redis compatibility: KeyDB is compatible with the Redis API and protocol, and Redis clients work with KeyDB. · docs.keydb.dev, 3 Oct 2026
Replication: KeyDB supports asynchronous multi-master replication across regions using a last-write-wins method. · docs.keydb.dev, 2 Oct 2026
Scaling: KeyDB supports horizontal scaling through active replication or cluster mode with a sharded dataset. · docs.keydb.dev, 2 Oct 2026
Scaling and availability: KeyDB supports horizontal scaling through active replication or cluster mode, with high availability and automatic failover options. · docs.keydb.dev, 3 Oct 2026
Security: KeyDB offers TLS support for client connections, replication links, and the cluster bus, and its security guidance recommends restricting access to trusted clients. · docs.keydb.dev, 3 Oct 2026
Security configuration: The security guide warns that authentication is optional and its password is stored in clear text in the configuration file; it recommends network protections and TLS. · docs.keydb.dev, 3 Oct 2026
Security guidance: The maker recommends restricting network access to trusted clients and warns against exposing KeyDB directly to the internet. · docs.keydb.dev, 2 Oct 2026
Support: Support is community-based and managed by the KeyDB team at Snap; the maker says paid support services are unavailable. · docs.keydb.dev, 3 Oct 2026

Where KeyDB stands on Freedom251

In-Memory Databases#14 of 25