Side by side
Amazon RDS vs Heimdall Database Proxy
Both stand on database proxy software. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Amazon RDS combines a broad engine selection with managed backups, scaling, and AWS security and monitoring integrations. Check the separate usage charges and Free Tier exclusions when choosing a deployment.
Visit Amazon RDSConsider Heimdall Database Proxy if you need SQL query routing and caching, read/write separation, or live query visibility. Greenplum users can start with its free Community Edition. The Enterprise editions are the route for features such as distributed auto-scaling proxies, enterprise-level support, or Enterprise Plus SQL security.
Visit Heimdall Database ProxyThe facts
| Amazon RDS | Heimdall Database Proxy | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | No | Not published |
| Runs on | API, Self-hosted, Web | Linux, Self-hosted |
| Lowest paid plan | Free or on request | Free or on request |
| Plans published | 6 | 3 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | aws.amazon.com | heimdalldata.com |
| On database proxy software | #5 of 31 | #9 of 31 |
Amazon RDS: what it does well
- Supports eight relational database engines.
- Default backups support point-in-time recovery up to 35 days.
- Multi-AZ deployments offer automatic failover.
- Read replicas can be promoted to standalone instances.
- Provides AWS encryption, monitoring, and audit integrations.
What to know first
- Paid compute, storage, backup, and data-transfer charges apply.
- Free Tier excludes several options, including Multi-AZ deployments.
- Availability SLA is listed as up to 99.95%.
Heimdall Database Proxy: what it does well
- Routes reads to replicas and writes to primary databases.
- Caches queries with automatic expiry and invalidation rules.
- Offers live SQL visibility, bottleneck identification, and tuning recommendations.
- Supports a broad set of listed databases and cloud integrations.
- Greenplum Community Edition is free for Greenplum use.
What to know first
- The free Community Edition is limited to Greenplum use.
- Technical support for the Community Edition requires upgrading to Enterprise.
- Linux installation instructions and self-hosted deployment are listed.
Alternatives to Amazon RDS Alternatives to Heimdall Database Proxy The whole list

