Best In-Memory Databases in 2026
Updated
In short: Amazon ElastiCache is ranked #1 of 25 as of 4 October 2026, ahead of Redis Insight and Aerospike Database. The best-ranked option with a free plan is Redis Insight. The lowest first paid tier on this page is GridGain at $0.11/mo.
When an application needs data available in memory, compare database options by how they handle persistence, deployment, high availability, and included memory. SQL support, supported data models, and vector search can help distinguish their data capabilities. Check free-plan availability and paid-from pricing alongside those requirements. Amazon ElastiCache, Redis Insight, and Aerospike Database are among the named options to consider, as are VoltDB and Apache Geode. The listed criteria give you a way to weigh operational needs and data features together when choosing software for your workload.
25 in-memory databases ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
9 of the 25 here have a free tier you can use, 0 have open-source code on record, and 0 have full bars: free, open, on most of your devices and documented.
| # | App | Signal | Free tier | Open code | Devices | From | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Amazon ElastiCacheWeb · Windows · Mac · Linux · API | Three bars | — | 4 of 6 | $6/mo | 6.6 | |
| 2 | Redis InsightWeb · Windows · Mac · Linux · Self-hosted | Three bars | — | 4 of 6 | Free | 6.6 | |
| 3 | Aerospike DatabaseWeb · Linux · Self-hosted · API | Two bars | — | 2 of 6 | Free | 6.5 | |
| 4 | VMware Workstation ProWindows · Linux · Self-hosted | Two bars | — | 2 of 6 | Free | 6.5 | |
| 5 | VoltDBWeb · Mac · Linux · Self-hosted · API | Three bars | — | 3 of 6 | Free | 6.5 | |
| 6 | Apache GeodeWindows · Linux · Self-hosted · API | Two bars | — | 2 of 6 | Free | 6.4 | |
| 7 | RonDBLinux · Self-hosted · API | Two bars | — | 1 of 6 | Free | 6.4 | |
| 8 | SingleStore HeliosWeb · API | Two bars | — | 1 of 6 | $0.99/mo | 6.4 | |
| 9 | InfinispanLinux · Self-hosted · API | Two bars | — | 1 of 6 | Free | 6.3 | |
| 10 | KeyDBMac · Linux · Self-hosted | One bar | — | — | 2 of 6 | — | 5.5 |
| 11 | eXtremeDBWindows · Mac · Linux · Android · iPhone · Self-hosted · API | Two bars | — | — | 5 of 6 | — | 5.3 |
| 12 | Tarantool DBMac · Linux · Self-hosted · API | One bar | — | — | 2 of 6 | — | 5.3 |
| 13 | DiceDBMac · Linux | No signal | — | — | 2 of 6 | — | 5.2 |
| 14 | GridGainWindows · Mac · Linux · Self-hosted · API | Two bars | — | — | 3 of 6 | $0.11/mo | 5.2 |
| 15 | Couchbase ServerNo platforms listed | No signal | — | — | 0 of 6 | — | 5.1 |
| 16 | RaimaDBWeb · Windows · Mac · Linux · Android · iPhone | One bar | — | — | 6 of 6 | — | 5.1 |
| 17 | ValkeyMac · Linux | No signal | — | — | 2 of 6 | — | 5.1 |
| 18 | DragonflyLinux · Self-hosted · API | One bar | — | — | 1 of 6 | $36/mo | 5.0 |
| 19 | Erlang DebuggerWindows · Mac · Linux | One bar | — | — | 3 of 6 | — | 5.0 |
| 20 | SAP Customer Data PlatformNo platforms listed | One bar | — | — | 0 of 6 | — | 4.9 |
| 21 | ScaleOut In-Memory DatabaseWindows · Linux | No signal | — | — | 2 of 6 | — | 4.9 |
| 22 | VMware Tanzu PlatformWeb | No signal | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 4.9 |
| 23 | ALTIBASELinux | No signal | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 4.8 |
| 24 | Apache IgniteNo platforms listed | No signal | — | — | 0 of 6 | — | 4.8 |
| 25 | Amazon MemoryDBWeb | No signal | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 4.6 |
Is your app on this list?
Numbered spots on this list can be sponsored. They are labelled, and the editorial order and scores never change for payment.
Questions about this list
Which in-memory database is ranked first on Freedom251?
Amazon ElastiCache is ranked #1 of 25 with a score of 6.6. Redis Insight is second and Aerospike Database third.
How many of these have a free plan?
9 of the 25 on this page publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
Which is the cheapest paid option?
On this page, GridGain has the lowest first paid tier we found: $0.11/mo.
How is this list ranked?
Ranked free-and-open first: a usable free tier and open-source code, then the platforms it runs on and its documentation. Paid placements never change a rank.