Azure Cache for Redis Vs AWS ElastiCache - Which caching service is better?
Welcome to our comparison post, where we compare two of the most popular caching services in the market. Both Azure Cache for Redis and AWS ElastiCache are managed, scalable, and highly available caching solutions that offer several benefits, such as improved application performance and reduced latency. We'll explore their features, pricing, and performance to help you make an informed decision.
Features
Both Azure Cache for Redis and AWS ElastiCache offer similar features, such as support for multiple data structures, real-time data analytics, and high availability. However, there are some differences worth mentioning.
Azure Cache for Redis supports Redis Cache, which is an open-source, in-memory caching engine that can be used for different use cases, such as real-time applications, social media feeds, chat applications, and more. With Azure Cache for Redis, you can also enable disaster recovery with the geo-replication feature, which replicates data across different geographic regions.
On the other hand, AWS ElastiCache supports Redis and Memcached Engines, which are both open-source. ElastiCache also supports in-memory caching for popular applications, such as WordPress, Drupal, and Magento. Additionally, ElastiCache offers two types of nodes: memory-optimized and compute-optimized, which allow you to choose the right instance type for your workload.
Pricing
When it comes to pricing, both Azure Cache for Redis and AWS ElastiCache offer similar pricing models based on instance size, region, and usage. However, the pricing may vary depending on the data transfer, backups, and other additional features you choose.
Here is a quick comparison of the prices of the smallest instance size for both services in the US East 1 (N. Virginia) region:
| Service | Instance Type | Price per Hour |
|---|---|---|
| Azure Cache for Redis | Basic C0 (250 MB) | $0.018/hour |
| AWS ElastiCache | cache.t2.micro | $0.017/hour |
As you can see, there isn't much difference between the prices of the smallest instance size, but it's worth noting that the pricing may vary based on your workload and additional features you choose.
Performance
When it comes to performance, both Azure Cache for Redis and AWS ElastiCache offer excellent performance with high throughput and low latency. However, there are some differences worth mentioning.
According to the Azure Redis Cache vs AWS ElastiCache comparison, which was conducted by Microsoft, Azure Cache for Redis consistently performed better in terms of average response time for read and write operations, as shown in the graph below:
However, it's worth noting that the performance may vary based on your workload, instance size, and other factors. Therefore, it's recommended to run your own tests to determine the best caching service for your needs.
Conclusion
In conclusion, both Azure Cache for Redis and AWS ElastiCache are excellent caching services that offer several features, benefits, and pricing models. Azure Cache for Redis supports Redis Cache, geo-replication, and offers excellent performance, while AWS ElastiCache supports Redis and Memcached Engines and offers two types of nodes.
Therefore, it's recommended to evaluate your specific business needs and performance requirements before making a decision.