MongoDB versus Redis

MongoDB versus Redis

If you're looking for a NoSQL database, there are two very powerful options to choose from, but which one is right for your needs?

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NoSQL databases are ideal for large amounts of unstructured data and are most often the first choice for cloud-native development or any project that relies on large amounts of varied information.

But when trying to choose which NoSQL database to use, you'll find that the options can be a little daunting. What is right for your project and what are the benefits? Once you start exploring the NoSQL rabbit hole, you'll find a few options to choose from. Of these options, two often stand out from the rest: MongoDB and Redis.

At first glance, you might think, “A database is a database, so it doesn’t really matter.” However, this line of thinking can cause problems. Imagine selecting the wrong database from the start, only to realize midway through the software development lifecycle that the choice you made won't best serve your project. At this point, you may have to start over, wasting precious time.

Both MongoDB and Redis are excellent NoSQL solutions, but they are not the same thing. Let's dive in and see what makes each of these solutions unique and why you might want to use one over the other.

Redis or MongoDB? When to use each

When comparing MongoDB to Redis, you'll want to take a look at four different aspects:

  • Speed
  • system requirements
  • Scalability
  • Store

The choice between MongoDB and Redis is simpler than you might initially think. Although both are NoSQL databases, it can be argued that they operate more similarly to relational databases in certain contexts. They can store data efficiently, serving not just you, but also your business and the applications you run. However, there are crucial considerations.

Query complexity

If you are looking at a use case that will require complex queries, MongoDB, with its document data model, stands out as the preferred choice. On the contrary, Redis, which some might say works like a remote dictionary server, mainly focuses on single or multiple key access. This design inherently restricts the breadth of your query functionality. However, a significant advantage of the Redis primary key access model is its speed; it can retrieve stored data faster than MongoDB.

So if you want an easier development path for an application with complex queries, MongoDB is your choice. However, if you want fast results despite a little more work upfront, Redis should be your database choice.

Easy to use

There's no way around it: MongoDB is easier to use than Redis. MongoDB not only offers a much shallower learning curve, but it is also easier to install. The caveat to this is that Redis is much more flexible. So if you want to implement a NoSQL database that doesn't leave your development team tearing their hair out, MongoDB is the way to go. If, on the other hand, you want a lightning-fast database that offers greater flexibility (but a more challenging process), Redis is what you're looking for.

Benefits of using Redis and MongoDB – Comparison Chart

Let's simplify it even further with a chart that shows the benefits of using each database.

Criterion MongoDB Redis
Speed High speed for large volumes of data due to its document-oriented model Extremely fast as data is stored in memory, ideal for caching and real-time applications
Scalability Scalable horizontally through sharding Supports master-slave replication and is vertically scalable
Transactional data integrity Supports multi-document ACID transactions since version 4.0 Transactions are atomic and support multiple operations, but do not support rollbacks
Memory Usage Higher memory usage, data is stored on disk Lower memory usage, data is stored in memory
Indexes Supports secondary indexes and text search indexes Does not inherently support secondary indexes
High Availability Supports replication for high availability Also supports replication for high availability
Query language Uses a proprietary SQL-like query language (MQL) Does not have traditional query language, data is accessed through commands
Persistent storage Supports persistent storage Supports in-memory and persistent storage
Data aggregation Robust aggregation framework for complex data manipulation Does not inherently support data aggregation
Cost Open source, but commercial versions and hosting are also available at cost Free and open source, enterprise and hosting options available at cost
Easy to use Somewhat steep learning curve due to its unique document model and query language Simpler to use due to its key-value storage nature, but lacks some functionality of traditional DBMS
Security features Supports authentication, authorization and encryption Supports encryption, authentication and allows you to configure data access permissions

How to select the best one for my project

When should you use MongoDB ? MongoDB is especially suited for fast-changing data scenarios like rapid prototyping, startups, and hackathons where peak performance may not be the top priority. Additionally, if you are in situations where an in-memory data store is essential or anticipate frequent changes to your data models and schema, MongoDB's flexibility in not requiring a fixed schema can be beneficial.

On the other hand, Redis excels in caching scenarios and when your software development path provides enough time for in-depth database planning. In short: need to start something quickly? MongoDB should be on your radar. But if time is on your side and you're diving deep into design and development, or if you're looking at temporary data storage needs with performance as the overriding factor, Redis will shine brightly. With Redis, it's difficult to match the performance benchmarks it sets.

Source: BairesDev

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