Updated for 2026
MySQLvs
Redis
Not sure which fits your workflow in 2026? Compare pricing, features, and trade-offs — then switch tools below to explore more options in this category.
dev-database
MySQL
MySQL is the classic open-source relational database — a default choice for SQL apps, CMS stacks, and managed cloud offerings.
Visit MySQLdev-database
Redis
Redis is the default in-memory data platform for caching, sessions, pub/sub, and low-latency application state.
Visit RedisBasics
| Feature | MySQL | Redis |
|---|---|---|
| Released | 1995 | 2009 |
| Company | Oracle | Redis Ltd. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| Region / Availability | Self-host / multi-cloud | Self-host / multi-cloud |
Pricing comparison
| Plan | MySQL | Redis |
|---|---|---|
| Model | open-source | open-source |
| Free tier | Yes | Yes |
| Starts at | $0/mo | $0/mo |
| Plan 1 | Community: Free | Open Source / CE: Free |
| Plan 2 | Enterprise: Commercial support | Redis Cloud: Usage-based |
Feature checklist
| Feature | MySQL | Redis |
|---|---|---|
| Open Source | ✓ | ✓https://github.com/redis/redis |
| Self-host Option | ✓ | ✓ |
| ACID | Full ACID with InnoDB | Atomic commands; MULTI/EXEC is not full RDBMS ACID |
| Index Support | B-tree, full-text, spatial; covering indexes | Secondary indexes via Redis Query / RediSearch; sorted sets |
| Concurrency | Strong row-level locking / MVCC-style reads | Very high ops/sec; single-threaded command execution per shard |
| Scalability | Vertical + replicas; clustering / Group Replication | Cluster mode sharding + replicas |
| SQL Support | ✓ | ✗ |
| Postgres Compatible | ✗ | ✗ |
| Serverless Database | ✗ | ✗ |
| Vector Search | ✗ | ✓ |
| Realtime | ✗ | ✓ |
| Built-in Auth | ✗ | ✗ |
| Blob / File Storage | ✗ | ✗ |
| Edge Compatible | ✗ | ✓ |
| AI SQL / NL Query | ✗ | ✗ |
| AI Schema Assist | ✗ | ✗ |
| AI Agent / MCP | ✗ | ✗ |
| Team Collaboration | ✓ | ✓ |
| Use Case | Classic OLTP relational database for web apps and CMS backends | In-memory cache, sessions, queues, pub/sub, and real-time structures |
Pros & cons
MySQL
- Ubiquitous skills and tooling ecosystem
- Battle-tested for OLTP web workloads
- Easy to self-host or buy managed MySQL
- Not Postgres-compatible
- Fewer modern branching/serverless DX features than Neon-class hosts
- Advanced features often need careful ops
Redis
- Extremely fast in-memory performance
- Versatile data structures for caching and queues
- Wide client and cloud hosting ecosystem
- Not a primary relational system of record
- Memory cost and persistence trade-offs
- Licensing / product naming has evolved
Dimension scores
Editorial 0–10 scores across shared dimensions — higher is better for that axis.
| Dimension | MySQL | Redis |
|---|---|---|
| Capability | 8.5 | 8.8 |
| Privacy | 9.0 | 8.5 |
| Value | 9.5 | 9.0 |
| Depth | 8.5 | 8.0 |
| Ecosystem | 9.5 | 9.5 |
| DX | 8.0 | 8.5 |
- Redis
FAQ
Is MySQL better than Redis?
It depends on workflow. MySQL emphasizes the world’s most popular open-source relational database for web and app backends. Redis emphasizes in-memory data store used for caching, queues, sessions, and real-time structures. Use the feature checklist above for your stack.
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Related alternatives
Disclaimer:Not Financial or Investment Advice, Educational/Dev Tool Comparison Only. Information may change; always verify pricing on the vendor site before purchasing.