Softwr

Database & Data Management · head to head

Aiven vs DynamoDB

Aiven logo

Aiven

Database & Data Management

Fully managed open source data infrastructure cloud

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
DynamoDB logo

DynamoDB

Database & Data Management

Fast, flexible NoSQL database service for any scale

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Aiven has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Aiven the free plan gives 1 VM with 1 CPU, 1 GB RAM and 1 GB storage, and cannot pick a specific cloud or region; DynamoDB noSQL-only; does not support complex relational queries or SQL joins
  • They diverge on capability: Aiven covers Multi-cloud Support, DynamoDB covers Single-digit Millisecond Latency.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Aiven and DynamoDB actually diverge.

Attributes where Aiven and DynamoDB differ
AttributeAivenDynamoDB
Starting priceFreeOn request
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, Aws, Azure, Gcp, DoAWS
Founded20162006

Identical on both: pricing model (usage-based), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Database & Data Management).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Aiven

  • Multi-cloud Support
  • Automated Backups
  • Seamless Upgrades
  • VPC Peering
  • End-to-end Encryption
  • Compliance
  • Observability
  • PostgreSQL

Only in DynamoDB

  • Single-digit Millisecond Latency
  • Serverless
  • Auto-scaling
  • Global Tables
  • Point-in-time Recovery
  • Encryption
  • Streams
  • Lambda

Both cover

  • Web support
  • Aws support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Aiven

  • Running managed open source databases without operating themnot DynamoDB
  • Multi-cloud deployment across AWS, Google Cloud, Azure, DigitalOcean, OVH and UpCloudnot DynamoDB
  • Highly available data services with automatic failovernot DynamoDB
  • Prototyping on a small free instance before scaling upnot DynamoDB

DynamoDB

  • High-scale, variable-workload applicationsnot Aiven
  • Mobile and IoT device backendsnot Aiven
  • Real-time analytics and dashboardsnot Aiven
  • Multi-region, globally distributed applicationsnot Aiven

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Aiven

  • The free plan gives 1 VM with 1 CPU, 1 GB RAM and 1 GB storage, and cannot pick a specific cloud or region
  • Free and Developer tiers have no integrations and no connection pooling
  • Connection pooling, database forks and dynamic disk sizing need the Business or Premium plan
  • A 99.99 percent uptime SLA starts at the Startup plan from $75 a month
  • High availability with automatic failover starts at Business from $180 a month

DynamoDB

  • NoSQL-only; does not support complex relational queries or SQL joins
  • Limited query flexibility; requires thinking in terms of keys and indexes rather than ad-hoc queries

Pricing, plan by plan

Aiven

Free
  • Free TrialFree
    • $300 credits
    • 30 day trial
    • All services
  • Startup$19/month
    • Single node
    • Basic support
    • Daily backups

DynamoDB

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the DynamoDB review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Aiven if

  • You need multi-cloud support.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Aws, Azure, Gcp, Do.
  • You also want automated backups.
Aiven review

Choose DynamoDB if

  • You need single-digit millisecond latency.
  • You work on AWS.
  • You also want serverless.
DynamoDB review

Questions people ask

Is Aiven or DynamoDB better?
Neither clearly leads. Aiven starts at Free and DynamoDB at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Aiven or DynamoDB?
Aiven has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Aiven and On request for DynamoDB.
Does Aiven or DynamoDB run on more platforms?
Aiven runs on Web, Aws, Azure, Gcp, Do. DynamoDB runs on AWS.
Can I use Aiven for free?
Yes. Aiven has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. DynamoDB starts at On request.
What is Aiven best used for?
Aiven is most often used for running managed open source databases without operating them, multi-cloud deployment across aws, google cloud, azure, digitalocean, ovh and upcloud, highly available data services with automatic failover, prototyping on a small free instance before scaling up. Of those, running managed open source databases without operating them and multi-cloud deployment across aws, google cloud, azure, digitalocean, ovh and upcloud are not what DynamoDB is typically brought in for.
What can Aiven do that DynamoDB cannot?
Aiven covers Multi-cloud Support, Automated Backups, Seamless Upgrades, VPC Peering. DynamoDB covers Single-digit Millisecond Latency, Serverless, Auto-scaling, Global Tables. Both handle Web support, Aws support.
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on Aiven

More on DynamoDB

Keep looking

Other head to heads