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Databases · head to head

Redpanda vs ScyllaDB

Redpanda logo

Redpanda

Databases

Kafka-compatible streaming platform with no ZooKeeper or JVM

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
ScyllaDB logo

ScyllaDB

Databases

The real-time big data database compatible with Cassandra

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Redpanda the community edition is source-available rather than OSI open source, which matters for some procurement; ScyllaDB enterprise tier requires custom quote from sales
  • They diverge on capability: Redpanda covers Kafka API compatible, ScyllaDB covers Cassandra Compatible.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Redpanda and ScyllaDB actually diverge.

Attributes where Redpanda and ScyllaDB differ
AttributeRedpandaScyllaDB
Pricing modelSource-available community edition with paid enterprise and cloud tiersusage-based
PlatformsLinux, Docker, Kubernetes, Self-hostedLinux, Docker, Kubernetes, Web
FoundedUnknown2015

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 Redpanda

  • Kafka API compatible
  • No JVM or ZooKeeper
  • Thread-per-core
  • Built-in HTTP proxy and schema registry

Only in ScyllaDB

  • Cassandra Compatible
  • DynamoDB Compatible
  • 10x Throughput
  • Low Latency
  • Auto-tuning
  • Lightweight Transactions
  • Change Data Capture
  • Cassandra Drivers

What people use each for

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

Redpanda

  • Kafka workloads where the operational cost of running Kafka is the blockernot ScyllaDB
  • Latency-sensitive streaming where tail latency mattersnot ScyllaDB
  • Smaller teams wanting streaming without a dedicated platform groupnot ScyllaDB

ScyllaDB

  • Real-time applicationsnot Redpanda
  • Content managementnot Redpanda
  • User profilesnot Redpanda
  • Mobile backendsnot Redpanda
  • Cachingnot Redpanda

Where each one falls short

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

Redpanda

  • The community edition is source-available rather than OSI open source, which matters for some procurement
  • Kafka API compatibility is high but not total, and deep ecosystem tools can hit gaps
  • Smaller community than Kafka, so fewer people have solved your problem before
  • Some operational and tiered-storage features are enterprise-only

ScyllaDB

  • Enterprise tier requires custom quote from sales
  • Pricing varies by cloud provider, storage, and instance configuration
  • Contracts available but commitment required for subscription discounts

Pricing, plan by plan

Redpanda

Free
  • CommunityFree
    • Kafka-compatible broker
    • Single binary
    • Community support

ScyllaDB

Free
  • ScyllaDB Cloud Standard$null/variable
    • Usage-based billing: vCPU, RAM, NVMe SSD storage
    • 2-hour P1 support response time
    • 99.9% uptime SLA
  • ScyllaDB Cloud Professional$null/variable
    • Enterprise-grade scalability
    • 1-hour P1 support response
    • Enhanced features included
  • ScyllaDB Cloud Premium$null/variable
    • Custom security and networking
    • 15-minute P1 support response
    • 99.99% uptime SLA
  • ScyllaDB Enterprise$null/quote
    • Self-managed deployment
    • On-premise or private cloud
    • Custom quote required

Which should you pick?

Choose Redpanda if

  • You need kafka api compatible.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, Docker, Kubernetes, Self-hosted.
  • You also want no jvm or zookeeper.
Redpanda review

Choose ScyllaDB if

  • You need cassandra compatible.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, Docker, Kubernetes, Web.
  • You also want dynamodb compatible.
ScyllaDB review

Questions people ask

Is Redpanda or ScyllaDB better?
Neither clearly leads. Redpanda starts at Free and ScyllaDB at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Redpanda or ScyllaDB?
Redpanda starts at Free and ScyllaDB at Free.
Does Redpanda or ScyllaDB run on more platforms?
Redpanda runs on Linux, Docker, Kubernetes, Self-hosted. ScyllaDB runs on Linux, Docker, Kubernetes, Web.
Can I use Redpanda for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Redpanda best used for?
Redpanda is most often used for kafka workloads where the operational cost of running kafka is the blocker, latency-sensitive streaming where tail latency matters, smaller teams wanting streaming without a dedicated platform group. Of those, kafka workloads where the operational cost of running kafka is the blocker and latency-sensitive streaming where tail latency matters are not what ScyllaDB is typically brought in for.
What can Redpanda do that ScyllaDB cannot?
Redpanda covers Kafka API compatible, No JVM or ZooKeeper, Thread-per-core, Built-in HTTP proxy and schema registry. ScyllaDB covers Cassandra Compatible, DynamoDB Compatible, 10x Throughput, Low Latency.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Redpanda: Is Redpanda free?

A community edition is free and source-available. Enterprise features and Redpanda Cloud are paid, and the licence is not OSI open source.

ScyllaDB: How is ScyllaDB Cloud pricing calculated?

ScyllaDB Cloud uses transparent, resource-based billing based on instance type (vCPU and RAM), NVMe SSD storage, service plan tier, deployment model, and cloud provider costs.

Source
Redpanda: Can I use my Kafka clients?

Yes. Redpanda implements the Kafka API, so existing clients and most tooling connect without changes.

ScyllaDB: Does ScyllaDB offer a free trial?

ScyllaDB offers a 30-day developer trial on smaller instances and a 48-hour production evaluation trial with full-grade instances.

Source
Redpanda: Why remove ZooKeeper and the JVM?

Both are significant sources of Kafka’s operational burden — tuning, coordination and failure modes. Removing them is the core of Redpanda’s pitch.

ScyllaDB: What cost savings are available for long-term ScyllaDB commitments?

ScyllaDB subscription contracts provide up to 70% or more in savings compared to on-demand hourly billing. 1-year and 3-year contract options are available.

Source
ScyllaDB: How much cheaper is ScyllaDB than DynamoDB?

Unlike DynamoDB which charges per read/write unit, ScyllaDB charges based on resource usage only, potentially delivering 50% or greater cost reduction for high-throughput workloads.

Source
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