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Databases · head to head

Valkey vs OpenSearch

Valkey logo

Valkey

Databases

Open-source in-memory data store forked from Redis

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
OpenSearch logo

OpenSearch

Databases

Open-source search and analytics suite forked from Elasticsearch

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Valkey younger project, so its track record is short even though the codebase is not; OpenSearch diverged from Elasticsearch since 7.10, so clients, plugins and features no longer map one to one
  • They diverge on capability: Valkey covers Redis-compatible, OpenSearch covers Full-text search.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Valkey and OpenSearch actually diverge.

Attributes where Valkey and OpenSearch differ
AttributeValkeyOpenSearch
Pricing modelOpen source, no licence fee; managed cloud billed separatelyOpen source, no licence fee; managed services billed separately
PlatformsLinux, macOS, Docker, Self-hostedLinux, Docker, Kubernetes, Self-hosted

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 Valkey

  • Redis-compatible
  • BSD licensed
  • Rich data structures
  • Replication and persistence

Only in OpenSearch

  • Full-text search
  • OpenSearch Dashboards
  • Log analytics
  • Vector search

What people use each for

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

Valkey

  • Continuing on a permissively licensed in-memory store after the Redis licence changenot OpenSearch
  • Caching and session storage where a foundation-governed project is a procurement requirementnot OpenSearch
  • Migrating from Redis without rewriting application codenot OpenSearch

OpenSearch

  • Log and observability storage where an Apache-2.0 licence is a requirementnot Valkey
  • Replacing Elasticsearch after the licence change without changing architecturenot Valkey
  • Search plus analytics on one cluster rather than two systemsnot Valkey

Where each one falls short

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

Valkey

  • Younger project, so its track record is short even though the codebase is not
  • Divergence from Redis grows over time, so compatibility is strongest near the fork point and weakens as both evolve
  • Ecosystem tooling and documentation still frequently assume Redis, leaving translation work

OpenSearch

  • Diverged from Elasticsearch since 7.10, so clients, plugins and features no longer map one to one
  • Operationally heavy in the way Elasticsearch is: cluster sizing, shard strategy and JVM tuning are ongoing work
  • Smaller ecosystem of third-party tooling than Elasticsearch, which most integrations still target first
  • Overkill for plain application search, where a dedicated search engine is far simpler

Pricing, plan by plan

Valkey

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

OpenSearch

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

Which should you pick?

Choose Valkey if

  • You need redis-compatible.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, macOS, Docker, Self-hosted.
  • You also want bsd licensed.
Valkey review

Choose OpenSearch if

  • You need full-text search.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, Docker, Kubernetes, Self-hosted.
  • You also want opensearch dashboards.
OpenSearch review

Questions people ask

Is Valkey or OpenSearch better?
Neither clearly leads. Valkey starts at Free and OpenSearch at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Valkey or OpenSearch?
Valkey starts at Free and OpenSearch at Free.
Does Valkey or OpenSearch run on more platforms?
Valkey runs on Linux, macOS, Docker, Self-hosted. OpenSearch runs on Linux, Docker, Kubernetes, Self-hosted.
Can I use Valkey for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Valkey best used for?
Valkey is most often used for continuing on a permissively licensed in-memory store after the redis licence change, caching and session storage where a foundation-governed project is a procurement requirement, migrating from redis without rewriting application code. Of those, continuing on a permissively licensed in-memory store after the redis licence change and caching and session storage where a foundation-governed project is a procurement requirement are not what OpenSearch is typically brought in for.
What can Valkey do that OpenSearch cannot?
Valkey covers Redis-compatible, BSD licensed, Rich data structures, Replication and persistence. OpenSearch covers Full-text search, OpenSearch Dashboards, Log analytics, Vector search.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Valkey: Is Valkey free?

Yes, BSD-licensed open source under the Linux Foundation.

OpenSearch: Is OpenSearch free?

Yes, Apache 2.0 licensed under the Linux Foundation. Amazon OpenSearch Service is a paid managed option.

Valkey: Why does Valkey exist?

Redis changed its licence away from BSD in 2024. Valkey is the community fork continuing under permissive terms, backed by AWS, Google Cloud and Oracle among others.

OpenSearch: Why does OpenSearch exist?

Elastic moved Elasticsearch off the Apache 2.0 licence in 2021. AWS forked the last Apache-licensed version, and the project now sits under the Linux Foundation.

Valkey: Can I switch from Redis to Valkey?

At the fork point it is drop-in compatible with existing clients and data. The further both projects move from that point, the more you should verify the specific features you use.

OpenSearch: Is OpenSearch compatible with Elasticsearch?

It was at the 7.10 fork point. Both have developed independently since, so compatibility weakens with every release and should be verified for the features you use.

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