What are the 5 best alternatives to DynamoDB?

DynamoDB is one of the most popular and user-friendly databases. Amazon’s serverless solution has many advantages, including being completely managed but it’s still not ideal for every user. You can find out what alternatives there are to DynamoDB here.

What is DynamoDB and what alternatives are there?

DynamoDB is a NoSQL serverless solution developed by Amazon. It has been part of the AWS services (Amazon Web Services) since 2012.

The main benefit of the database management system is that it is completely managed, which is not the case for many DynamoDB alternatives. This means users don’t have to worry about security measures or potential upgrades themselves but can rather focus on using the database for the tasks they want to accomplish. This also applies to the scaling options of the solution which are, theoretically, unlimited. It’s easy to increase data storage capacity without negatively impacting performance or availability. Although DynamoDB does not work relationally, it still relies on tables.

DynamoDB has earned its reputation as a fast, secure, user-friendly and flexible database management system. That said, there are aspects that some users may find less attractive. For example, it’s embedded in the AWS ecosystem. This can be advantageous, but it comes at the expense of compatibility with other systems and other environments.

In comparison to other databases, the query options are also less extensive, and the high scalability of the fully managed solution may also cost significantly more. If you are looking for a DynamoDB alternative, these are the five best options.

MongoDB: The NoSQL database with limitless scalability

MongoDB is one of the best-known and most popular databases in the world and is the perfect alternative to DynamoDB. The solution is known for its high scalability and great flexibility. Storing and managing large or growing amounts of data is easy with MongoDB, making it a great option for companies, no matter the size.

Structured, semi-structured or unstructured data is stored in binary JSON documents and summarized in collections. The NoSQL database is ideal for web applications, content management or the e-commerce segment and, thanks to the sharing approach, guarantees a high level of reliability and availability. MongoDB offers both free and paid plans.

The advantages of MongoDB at a glance

• Scalable without limits
• Processes structured, semi-structured and unstructured data
• Very flexible
• Powerful query options
• High compatibility
• Easy to use
• Wide range of usage options
• Very fail-safe

You’ll find a detailed comparison of MongoDB and DynamoDB in our Digital Guide.

MySQL: The relational option with high availability

If you want or need to store your data in table form, the classical SQL approach might be the better choice. MySQL is still one of the best relational databases and is based on the well-known SQL query language, which has been widely used for years. It’s partially ACID-compliant (Atomicity, Consistency, Isolation and Durability).

The system is ideal for structured data records and large volumes of data. Another pro is its security architecture. MySQL is open source, although Oracle now also offers commercial solutions. Google, WordPress and YouTube are just a few of the companies that rely partially or completely on this fast and flexible database management system.

The advantages of MySQL at a glance

• Open source
• Very user-friendly
• Committed community
• Partially ACID-compliant
• Good at handling large amounts of data
• Strong query language
• Combination with NoSQL options possible
• Flexible despite relational approach
• High availability and compatibility with many systems, languages and platforms
• Very stable and safe
• Part of the LAMP stack (Linux, Apache, MySQL and PHP)

Want to find out more about MySQL, its history and how it works? Read about it in our Digital Guide!

PostgreSQL: A flexible solution for structured data

PostgreSQL uses a relational approach and in this way, is similar to MySQL. First published in 1996, this object-relational database is a viable alternative to DynamoDB because of its impressive flexibility. PostgreSQL works with tables but also supports non-relational data types as well. PostgreSQL can cooperate with other databases seamlessly, which is what has made it so popular in the cloud environment and e-commerce. By now PostgreSQL is considered a classic database system, but the open-source system is constantly being developed, further ensuring it still offers solutions compatible with modern demands. Companies like Apple, Skype and Spotify rely on this classic tool.

The advantages of PostgreSQL at a glance

• Open source
• Extremely flexible
• High compatibility even with NoSQL systems
• Also supports non-relational data types
• Versatile in use
• Committed community
• Very safe and robust solution
• Outstanding data analysis

You can find out more about PostgreSQL and its special characteristics in our Digital Guide.

Firebase: The DynamoDB alternative from Google

Amazon is not the only huge tech company with a powerful NoSQL database in its portfolio. Firebase Acquired by Google in 2014, Firebase has since been significantly expanded. The development platform now includes 18 services, some subject to a fee, including an integrated database management system, which is particularly suitable for mobile and web applications. This system is characterized by extremely low latencies. Data is stored on different nodes to ensure high availability. The database also offers an offline mode, which makes use of numerous other Google services. Firebase is available in multiple versions, from the free trial version to paid plans based on what you need.

The advantages of Firebase at a glance

• Low latency and fast read and write operations
• Optimized for mobile use
• Good availability and reliability through sharding
• Benefits from numerous Google services
• Strong cloud connection
• Cross-platform and widely compatible despite being embedded in the Google ecosystem
• Professional support
• Wide range of applications

Apache Cassandra: Open source and ideal for big data

The column-oriented NoSQL database Apache Cassandra has been a market leader for several years. The open-source solution was first released in 2008 and features CQL, an effective and learner-friendly query language that is based on SQL. Thanks to its extensive horizontal scaling options, Apache Cassandra offers users a wide range of management options, even with increasing or large volumes of data. The data is distributed across different nodes which mean it’s fail-safe and has a particularly high query speed. This user-friendly database management system is also equipped with strong security features. It’s the solution of choice for companies like JPMorgan, Netflix and Apple.

The advantages of Apache Cassandra at a glance

• Open source
• Horizontally scalable, ideal for large or increasing data volumes
• Additionally vertically scalable
• CQL as an effective query language
• Fail-safe
• High availability of data
• Strong performance
• Meets ACID requirements (Atomicity, Consistency, Isolation, Durability)
• Very flexible

In our Digital Guide, you’ll find information on exactly what Apache Cassandra is, what its advantages are and when and where it’s most suitable.