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Databases · head to head

Aiven vs Readyset

Aiven logo

Aiven

Databases

Fully managed open source data infrastructure cloud

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Readyset logo

Readyset

Databases

Database caching and optimization that reduces infrastructure costs 30-70%

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; Readyset pricing requires contacting sales team, making cost planning difficult
  • They diverge on capability: Aiven covers Multi-cloud Support, Readyset covers Automatic Query Optimization.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Aiven and Readyset actually diverge.

Attributes where Aiven and Readyset differ
AttributeAivenReadyset
Pricing modelusage-basedMonthly or annual subscription based on cache size
PlatformsWeb, Aws, Azure, Gcp, DoCloud, Self-Hosted
Founded2016Unknown

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

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 Readyset

  • Automatic Query Optimization
  • SQL-Level Caching
  • Live Incremental Updates
  • Zero-Touch Integration
  • Query Interception
  • AI Query Protection

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 Readyset
  • Multi-cloud deployment across AWS, Google Cloud, Azure, DigitalOcean, OVH and UpCloudnot Readyset
  • Highly available data services with automatic failovernot Readyset
  • Prototyping on a small free instance before scaling upnot Readyset

Readyset

  • Reducing database costs for AI workloads with unpredictable query patternsnot Aiven
  • Improving read performance for frequently accessed data without hardware upgradesnot Aiven
  • Protecting databases from performance degradation caused by agentic queriesnot Aiven
  • Scaling read-heavy applications without database scaling costsnot 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

Readyset

  • Pricing requires contacting sales team, making cost planning difficult
  • Specific pricing tiers not disclosed publicly
  • Requires cache size estimation for cost calculation
  • Limited to read query caching, does not address write performance

Pricing, plan by plan

Aiven

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

Readyset

Free
  • CommunityFree
    • Free tier for evaluation
    • 7-day trial available
  • Readyset CloudFree
    • Fully-managed AWS deployment
    • High availability
    • VPC peering support
  • Readyset PrivateFree
    • Self-hosted on your servers
    • Complete control
    • Custom deployment

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 Readyset if

  • You need automatic query optimization.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Cloud, Self-Hosted.
  • You also want sql-level caching.
Readyset review

Questions people ask

Is Aiven or Readyset better?
Neither clearly leads. Aiven starts at Free and Readyset at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Aiven or Readyset?
Aiven starts at Free and Readyset at Free.
Does Aiven or Readyset run on more platforms?
Aiven runs on Web, Aws, Azure, Gcp, Do. Readyset runs on Cloud, Self-Hosted.
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 Readyset is typically brought in for.
What can Aiven do that Readyset cannot?
Aiven covers Multi-cloud Support, Automated Backups, Seamless Upgrades, VPC Peering. Readyset covers Automatic Query Optimization, SQL-Level Caching, Live Incremental Updates, Zero-Touch Integration.

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
Readyset: Do I need to change my application code?

No, Readyset integrates transparently through query interception with zero code changes or schema modifications required.

Source
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
Readyset: Is there a free trial?

Yes, Readyset offers a free 7-day trial that lets you test different cache sizes before committing to a paid plan.

Source
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
Readyset: How does Readyset pricing work?

Readyset is available as a monthly or annual subscription charged based on the size of cache you need. Contact [email protected] for specific pricing.

Source
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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