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DynamoDB vs Packer

DynamoDB logo

DynamoDB

Software

Fast, flexible NoSQL database service for any scale

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
P

Packer

Software

Build automated machine images

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Packer 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; Packer packer 1.10.0 and later is licensed under the Business Source License 1.1 with IBM Corporation as licensor, not an OSI open source licence
  • They diverge on capability: DynamoDB covers Single-digit Millisecond Latency, Packer covers Image building.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which DynamoDB and Packer actually diverge.

Attributes where DynamoDB and Packer differ
AttributeDynamoDBPacker
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelusage-basedopen-source
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsAWSLinux, Windows, Mac
Founded20062013

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

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
  • Streams
  • Lambda
  • API Gateway

Only in Packer

  • Image building
  • Multi-platform support
  • Provisioners
  • Builders
  • Post-processors
  • Variables
  • Data sources
  • Validation

Both cover

  • Encryption

What people use each for

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

DynamoDB

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

Packer

  • Building identical machine images for multiple clouds from one templatenot DynamoDB
  • Baking golden AMIs and VM images into a CI pipelinenot DynamoDB
  • Creating immutable infrastructure artifacts consumed by Terraformnot 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

Packer

  • Packer 1.10.0 and later is licensed under the Business Source License 1.1 with IBM Corporation as licensor, not an OSI open source licence
  • The Additional Use Grant forbids offering Packer to third parties on a hosted or embedded basis in a paid product that competes with IBM's paid versions of Packer
  • Each version converts to the MPL 2.0 Change License only four years after that version is first published, and the Change Date is set separately per version
  • Alternative licensing for uses outside the grant must be arranged with the licensor rather than taken under the public licence

Pricing, plan by plan

DynamoDB

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the DynamoDB review.

Packer

Free
  • Open SourceFree
    • Multi-platform image building
    • Template-driven
    • Provisioner support

Which should you pick?

Choose DynamoDB if

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

Choose Packer if

  • You need image building.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, Windows, Mac.
  • You also want multi-platform support.
Packer review

Questions people ask

Is DynamoDB or Packer better?
Neither clearly leads. DynamoDB starts at On request and Packer at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, DynamoDB or Packer?
Packer has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for DynamoDB and Free for Packer.
Does DynamoDB or Packer run on more platforms?
DynamoDB runs on AWS. Packer runs on Linux, Windows, Mac.
Can I use Packer for free?
Yes. Packer 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 Packer is typically brought in for.
What can DynamoDB do that Packer cannot?
DynamoDB covers Single-digit Millisecond Latency, Serverless, Auto-scaling, Global Tables. Packer covers Image building, Multi-platform support, Provisioners, Builders. Both handle Encryption.
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