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Databases · head to head

Couchbase vs Memcached

Couchbase logo

Couchbase

Databases

The modern database for enterprise applications

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
M

Memcached

Databases

Distributed memory object caching system

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Couchbase the free tier is a single node with 8 GB of storage and forum support only; Memcached no persistence at all: restart a node and its cache is gone, which every design must assume
  • They diverge on capability: Couchbase covers JSON Document Model, Memcached covers In-memory key-value cache.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Couchbase and Memcached actually diverge.

Attributes where Couchbase and Memcached differ
AttributeCouchbaseMemcached
Pricing modelfreemiumOpen source, no licence fee; managed cloud billed separately
PlatformsLinux, Windows, Mac, Docker, WebLinux, macOS, Windows, Docker, Self-hosted
Founded2011Unknown

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 Couchbase

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

Only in Memcached

  • In-memory key-value cache
  • Multithreaded
  • Client-side sharding
  • Predictable memory use

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 Memcached
  • Mobile sync and offline first applications backed by a cloud databasenot Memcached

Memcached

  • Caching expensive database query results to cut loadnot Couchbase
  • Session storage where losing sessions on restart is acceptablenot Couchbase
  • Fronting an API whose responses are costly and change slowlynot 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

Memcached

  • No persistence at all: restart a node and its cache is gone, which every design must assume
  • No replication or failover, so losing a node loses that share of the cache
  • Only simple key-value, with none of the lists, sorted sets or streams Redis offers
  • Values are capped at 1MB by default, which surprises teams caching large documents

Pricing, plan by plan

Couchbase

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

Memcached

Free
  • MemcachedFree
    • Full functionality
    • Self-hosted
    • No usage limits

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 Memcached if

  • You need in-memory key-value cache.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, macOS, Windows, Docker, Self-hosted.
  • You also want multithreaded.
Memcached review

Questions people ask

Is Couchbase or Memcached better?
Neither clearly leads. Couchbase starts at Free and Memcached at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Couchbase or Memcached?
Couchbase starts at Free and Memcached at Free.
Does Couchbase or Memcached run on more platforms?
Couchbase runs on Linux, Windows, Mac, Docker, Web. Memcached runs on Linux, macOS, Windows, Docker, Self-hosted.
Can I use Couchbase for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
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 Memcached is typically brought in for.
What can Couchbase do that Memcached cannot?
Couchbase covers JSON Document Model, SQL++ Query, Full-text Search, Eventing. Memcached covers In-memory key-value cache, Multithreaded, Client-side sharding, Predictable memory use.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Couchbase: Does Couchbase offer a free tier?

Yes, Couchbase offers a free tier option. Users can start for free from the main website.

Source
Memcached: Is Memcached free?

Yes, open source with no licence fee.

Couchbase: How do I access Couchbase pricing details?

Couchbase maintains a dedicated pricing page, but detailed tier information and costs are not available on the homepage. You can visit the pricing page or contact their sales team.

Source
Memcached: Memcached or Redis?

Memcached is a pure cache: simpler, multithreaded and very predictable. Redis adds persistence, replication and rich data structures, which is why it is the default choice unless you specifically want a cache and nothing more.

Memcached: Does Memcached persist data?

No. Everything is in memory and lost on restart, by design.

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