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Database & Data Management · head to head

Couchbase vs DynamoDB

Couchbase logo

Couchbase

Database & Data Management

The modern database for enterprise applications

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 Couchbase has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Couchbase the free tier is a single node with 8 GB of storage and forum support only; DynamoDB noSQL-only; does not support complex relational queries or SQL joins
  • They diverge on capability: Couchbase covers JSON Document Model, DynamoDB covers Single-digit Millisecond Latency.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Couchbase and DynamoDB actually diverge.

Attributes where Couchbase and DynamoDB differ
AttributeCouchbaseDynamoDB
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelfreemiumusage-based
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsLinux, Windows, Mac, Docker, WebAWS
Founded20112006

Identical on both: 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 Couchbase

  • JSON Document Model
  • SQL++ Query
  • Full-text Search
  • Eventing
  • Analytics
  • Mobile Sync
  • Multi-dimensional Scaling
  • Kafka

Only in DynamoDB

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

Both cover

  • Web support

What people use each for

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

Couchbase

  • Running a distributed NoSQL document database as a managed servicenot DynamoDB
  • Mobile sync and offline first applications backed by a cloud databasenot DynamoDB

DynamoDB

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

Where each one falls short

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

Couchbase

  • The free tier is a single node with 8 GB of storage and forum support only
  • Node rates are hourly and quoted as starting figures, from $0.15 an hour on Basic to $0.49 on Enterprise
  • The Developer Pro and Enterprise plans require 3 nodes, so the hourly rate multiplies before any usage
  • Backup storage is billed separately at $0.07 per GB a month, and analytics backups at $0.14
  • Support response time is a plan feature, at 8 hours on Developer Pro against 30 minutes on Enterprise
  • AI and analytics run as separately priced planes at up to $0.86 an hour per node

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

Couchbase

Free
  • CommunityFree
    • Full features
    • Community support
    • Self-managed
  • Capella FreeFree
    • Managed service
    • Limited resources
    • Cloud hosted

DynamoDB

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the DynamoDB review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Couchbase if

  • You need json document model.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, Windows, Mac, Docker, Web.
  • You also want sql++ query.
Couchbase review

Choose DynamoDB if

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

Questions people ask

Is Couchbase or DynamoDB better?
Neither clearly leads. Couchbase 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, Couchbase or DynamoDB?
Couchbase has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Couchbase and On request for DynamoDB.
Does Couchbase or DynamoDB run on more platforms?
Couchbase runs on Linux, Windows, Mac, Docker, Web. DynamoDB runs on AWS.
Can I use Couchbase for free?
Yes. Couchbase has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. DynamoDB starts at On request.
What is Couchbase best used for?
Couchbase is most often used for running a distributed nosql document database as a managed service, mobile sync and offline first applications backed by a cloud database. Of those, running a distributed nosql document database as a managed service and mobile sync and offline first applications backed by a cloud database are not what DynamoDB is typically brought in for.
What can Couchbase do that DynamoDB cannot?
Couchbase covers JSON Document Model, SQL++ Query, Full-text Search, Eventing. DynamoDB covers Single-digit Millisecond Latency, Serverless, Auto-scaling, Global Tables. Both handle Web support.
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