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Databases · head to head

Aiven vs MUI

Aiven logo

Aiven

Databases

Fully managed open source data infrastructure cloud

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
MUI logo

MUI

Web Development

React component library implementing Material Design

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • 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; MUI escaping the Material Design look takes more theming effort than teams expect
  • They diverge on capability: Aiven covers Multi-cloud Support, MUI covers Large component set.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Aiven and MUI actually diverge.

Attributes where Aiven and MUI differ
AttributeAivenMUI
Pricing modelusage-basedOpen-source core with paid tiers for advanced components
PlatformsWeb, Aws, Azure, Gcp, DoWeb
CategoryDatabasesWeb Development
Founded2016Unknown

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated).

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 MUI

  • Large component set
  • Theming system
  • Accessibility
  • TypeScript 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 MUI
  • Multi-cloud deployment across AWS, Google Cloud, Azure, DigitalOcean, OVH and UpCloudnot MUI
  • Highly available data services with automatic failovernot MUI
  • Prototyping on a small free instance before scaling upnot MUI

MUI

  • Building an admin or internal application quickly with components that already worknot Aiven
  • Teams needing accessible complex widgets without building themnot Aiven
  • Products where Material Design is an acceptable or desired starting pointnot 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

MUI

  • Escaping the Material Design look takes more theming effort than teams expect
  • Bundle size is significant, and careless imports pull in far more than needed
  • Advanced components such as the full data grid require a paid licence
  • Major version upgrades have historically required real migration work

Pricing, plan by plan

Aiven

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

MUI

Free
  • CommunityFree
    • Core component library
    • Theming
    • Community support

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 MUI if

  • You need large component set.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want theming system.
MUI review

Questions people ask

Is Aiven or MUI better?
Neither clearly leads. Aiven starts at Free and MUI at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Aiven or MUI?
Aiven starts at Free and MUI at Free.
Does Aiven or MUI run on more platforms?
Aiven runs on Web, Aws, Azure, Gcp, Do. MUI runs on Web.
Can I use Aiven for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
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 MUI is typically brought in for.
What can Aiven do that MUI cannot?
Aiven covers Multi-cloud Support, Automated Backups, Seamless Upgrades, VPC Peering. MUI covers Large component set, Theming system, Accessibility, TypeScript support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Aiven: What does Aiven's free tier include and does it have any time limit?

The free tier includes PostgreSQL with 1 VM, 1 CPU, 1 GB RAM, and 1 GB storage with access to limited cloud and region selections. There are no time limitations on the free tier, though Aiven reserves the right to shut down accounts that violate policies or remain unused for extended periods.

Source
MUI: Is MUI free?

The core library is open source and free. Advanced components, including the full-featured data grid, require a paid licence.

Aiven: How is Aiven billed and what are the monthly costs for each tier?

Aiven bills services by the hour and invoices monthly, charging only for what you actually run. PostgreSQL pricing starts at 5 dollars per month for Developer, 12 dollars per month for Hobbyist, 75 dollars per month for Startup, 180 dollars per month for Business, and 270 dollars per month for Premium. All paid tiers offer hourly billing options as well.

Source
MUI: Can MUI look non-Material?

Yes, through the theming system, but a substantial departure takes real work. Teams wanting full design control often prefer unstyled primitives instead.

Aiven: What backup retention periods are included at different Aiven tiers?

Backup retention increases with tier level: Startup tier provides 2 days of backup retention, Business tier offers 14 days, and Premium tier includes 30 days. Point-in-time restore is available on all paid tiers.

Source
MUI: Does MUI handle accessibility?

Components follow WAI-ARIA patterns by default, which is a large part of why teams adopt it.

Aiven: Is high availability included in Aiven pricing or charged separately?

High availability, backups, and routine maintenance are all included in the tier costs with no separate charges. The Business tier includes 2 VMs with automatic failover, and Premium includes 3 VMs with a second standby node.

Source
Aiven: Does Aiven offer a trial period to test premium features?

Aiven offers a 30-day free trial to access premium features beyond what the free plan provides.

Source
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