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Databases · head to head

Valkey vs Windmill

Valkey logo

Valkey

Databases

Open-source in-memory data store forked from Redis

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Windmill logo

Windmill

Automation Integration

Open-source developer platform for building scripts, workflows, and internal apps

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; Windmill free self-hosted tier caps SSO users at 10 and workspaces at 3, requiring Enterprise for larger teams.
  • They diverge on capability: Valkey covers Redis-compatible, Windmill covers Script-to-workflow engine.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 29 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Valkey and Windmill actually diverge.

Attributes where Valkey and Windmill differ
AttributeValkeyWindmill
Pricing modelOpen source, no licence fee; managed cloud billed separatelyopen-source
PlatformsLinux, macOS, Docker, Self-hostedweb, api, linux, windows, mac
CategoryDatabasesAutomation Integration

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), 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 Valkey

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

Only in Windmill

  • Script-to-workflow engine
  • Auto-generated UIs
  • Self-hosted deployment
  • Git sync
  • SSO support
  • Audit logs

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 Windmill
  • Caching and session storage where a foundation-governed project is a procurement requirementnot Windmill
  • Migrating from Redis without rewriting application codenot Windmill

Windmill

  • Turning ad-hoc scripts into scheduled jobs and APIsnot Valkey
  • Building internal tools from existing Python/TypeScript codenot Valkey
  • Self-hosted automation for engineering teamsnot Valkey
  • Orchestrating multi-language workflowsnot 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

Windmill

  • Free self-hosted tier caps SSO users at 10 and workspaces at 3, requiring Enterprise for larger teams.
  • Compute unit and seat-based pricing (developer vs. operator seats, worker compute units) adds pricing complexity beyond a flat monthly fee.
  • Email triggers are capped at 100/day on the free tier, limiting event-driven use cases without upgrading.
  • Smaller ecosystem of pre-built integrations compared to more established automation tools like n8n.

Pricing, plan by plan

Valkey

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

Windmill

Free
  • Free / Open-sourceFree
    • Unlimited executions
    • Self-hosted deployment
    • Max 10 users with SSO
  • Enterprise$120/month
    • Unlimited executions and workspaces
    • Uncapped SSO seats
    • 24/7 priority support (3-hour response)

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 Windmill if

  • You need script-to-workflow engine.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on web, api, linux, windows, mac.
  • You also want auto-generated uis.
Windmill review

Questions people ask

Is Valkey or Windmill better?
Neither clearly leads. Valkey starts at Free and Windmill at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Valkey or Windmill?
Valkey starts at Free and Windmill at Free.
Does Valkey or Windmill run on more platforms?
Valkey runs on Linux, macOS, Docker, Self-hosted. Windmill runs on web, api, linux, windows, mac.
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 Windmill is typically brought in for.
What can Valkey do that Windmill cannot?
Valkey covers Redis-compatible, BSD licensed, Rich data structures, Replication and persistence. Windmill covers Script-to-workflow engine, Auto-generated UIs, Self-hosted deployment, Git sync.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Valkey: Is Valkey free?

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

Windmill: What does Windmill cost?

Windmill's Free and Open-source edition is $0/month for self-hosted use with unlimited executions, while Enterprise starts at $120/month with unlimited workspaces and uncapped SSO seats, priced further by developer/operator seats and compute units.

Source
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.

Windmill: Is there a free plan and what are its limits?

The free self-hosted plan supports unlimited executions but caps SSO at 10 users, workspaces at 3, groups/permissions at 4, and email triggers at 100 per day.

Source
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.

Windmill: How is usage metered on Windmill Enterprise?

Enterprise usage is metered through seats (developer seats at $20/month, operator seats at $10/month) and compute units, e.g. $100/month for 2 standard-worker compute units.

Source
Windmill: What happens to a self-hosted Windmill deployment if the company shuts down?

The pricing page addresses this directly as an FAQ topic, noting that self-hosted applications built on the open-source edition can continue running independently of Windmill the company.

Source
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