Softwr

Database & Data Management · head to head

DynamoDB vs Elasticsearch Service

DynamoDB logo

DynamoDB

Database & Data Management

Fast, flexible NoSQL database service for any scale

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Elasticsearch Service logo

Elasticsearch Service

Log Management

Managed Elasticsearch Cloud Service

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Elasticsearch Service has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: DynamoDB noSQL-only; does not support complex relational queries or SQL joins; Elasticsearch Service the 99.95 percent monthly uptime SLA applies only to the Platinum and Enterprise subscription tiers
  • They diverge on capability: DynamoDB covers Single-digit Millisecond Latency, Elasticsearch Service covers Full-text search.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which DynamoDB and Elasticsearch Service actually diverge.

Attributes where DynamoDB and Elasticsearch Service differ
AttributeDynamoDBElasticsearch Service
Starting priceOn requestFree
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsAWSWeb, Api
CategoryDatabase & Data ManagementLog Management
Founded20062011

Identical on both: pricing model (usage-based), 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 DynamoDB

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

Only in Elasticsearch Service

  • Full-text search
  • Scalability
  • High availability
  • Security
  • API
  • Webhooks
  • REST
  • Api support

Both cover

  • Web support

What people use each for

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

DynamoDB

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

Elasticsearch Service

  • Managed Elasticsearch without running the clusternot DynamoDB
  • Log and observability data storage and searchnot DynamoDB
  • Full-text search behind an applicationnot DynamoDB
  • Deployments needing a specific cloud region across AWS, Azure or GCPnot DynamoDB

Where each one falls short

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

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

Elasticsearch Service

  • The 99.95 percent monthly uptime SLA applies only to the Platinum and Enterprise subscription tiers
  • Serverless does not yet support traffic filtering, cross-project search or bring-your-own-key encryption
  • Serverless runs on AWS, GCP and Azure only, against 60 regions for the hosted option
  • Per-unit prices are not published; hosted is resource-based and serverless usage-based

Pricing, plan by plan

DynamoDB

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the DynamoDB review.

Elasticsearch Service

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Full-text search
    • Scalability
    • High availability

Which should you pick?

Choose DynamoDB if

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

Choose Elasticsearch Service if

  • You need full-text search.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Api.
  • You also want scalability.
Elasticsearch Service review

Questions people ask

Is DynamoDB or Elasticsearch Service better?
Neither clearly leads. DynamoDB starts at On request and Elasticsearch Service at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, DynamoDB or Elasticsearch Service?
Elasticsearch Service has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for DynamoDB and Free for Elasticsearch Service.
Does DynamoDB or Elasticsearch Service run on more platforms?
DynamoDB runs on AWS. Elasticsearch Service runs on Web, Api.
Can I use Elasticsearch Service for free?
Yes. Elasticsearch Service has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. DynamoDB starts at On request.
What is DynamoDB best used for?
DynamoDB is most often used for high-scale, variable-workload applications, mobile and iot device backends, real-time analytics and dashboards, multi-region, globally distributed applications. Of those, high-scale, variable-workload applications and mobile and iot device backends are not what Elasticsearch Service is typically brought in for.
What can DynamoDB do that Elasticsearch Service cannot?
DynamoDB covers Single-digit Millisecond Latency, Serverless, Auto-scaling, Global Tables. Elasticsearch Service covers Full-text search, Scalability, High availability, Security. Both handle Web support.
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on DynamoDB

More on Elasticsearch Service

Keep looking

Other head to heads