Top 12 Types of Databases in AWS: Features, Pricing, and Best Use Cases
Updated on Mar 12, 2025 | 19 min read | 3.2k views
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Updated on Mar 12, 2025 | 19 min read | 3.2k views
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AWS offers various types of databases in AWS to handle different workloads. Whether you need a relational, NoSQL, in-memory, or ledger database, AWS provides scalable and managed solutions. Choosing the right AWS database can significantly impact your application’s performance, security, and cost-efficiency.
Without the right choice, you may face unnecessary costs, performance bottlenecks, or limited scalability.
This guide helps you understand the top AWS database options, pricing structures, and best practices for selection.
Amazon Web Services (AWS) is a cloud computing platform that offers scalable and secure solutions for businesses and developers. It provides various computing, storage, and database services to manage workloads efficiently.
AWS databases ensure reliability, performance, and security for different applications across industries.
AWS databases come with several advantages that make them a preferred choice for businesses and developers. The following benefits help you understand why AWS databases stand out in cloud-based data management.
AWS offers various database types designed for different workloads. Below, you will find a detailed breakdown of these AWS database types, their features, and best use cases.
Amazon RDS is a managed relational database service that supports multiple database engines like MySQL, PostgreSQL, and SQL Server. It automates administrative tasks, such as backups, patching, and scaling. This AWS database is ideal for applications requiring structured data and ACID compliance.
Key Features
Use Cases
Benefits & Limitations
Benefits |
Limitations |
Reduces administrative overhead with automation | Limited customization compared to self-managed databases |
Ensures high availability with multi-AZ deployments | Costs can increase with high storage and traffic |
Supports multiple database engines for flexibility | Requires careful tuning for performance optimization |
Provides automated scaling options | Read replicas may experience replication lag, affecting real-time analytics in high-traffic applications requiring instant consistency. |
Amazon RDS is a reliable choice for structured data applications. However, AWS offers other database solutions for different workloads, which you will explore in the next section.
Amazon DynamoDB is a fully managed NoSQL database that provides key-value and document data storage. It is designed for applications that require high availability, low latency, and seamless scalability.
This AWS database is serverless, meaning you do not need to manage infrastructure. This makes it ideal for modern cloud applications.
Key Features
Use Cases
Benefits & Limitations
Benefits |
Limitations |
DynamoDB automatically partitions data based on workload demands, dynamically distributing traffic across nodes to maintain performance. | Lacks support for complex queries and joins |
Serverless architecture eliminates infrastructure management | Can become costly with high read/write throughput |
Offers built-in security and encryption | Requires careful indexing for efficient query performance |
Delivers low-latency performance for real-time applications | Not ideal for relational data requiring ACID transactions |
DynamoDB is best suited for applications needing fast, scalable, and flexible NoSQL storage. For structured data with complex relationships, AWS offers other solutions like Amazon Aurora.
Amazon Aurora is a high-performance relational database built for cloud applications. It is fully compatible with MySQL and PostgreSQL, offering better performance and availability than traditional databases. Aurora automatically replicates data across multiple availability zones to ensure durability.
Key Features
Use Cases
Benefits & Limitations
Benefits |
Limitations |
Provides high availability and fault tolerance | Higher cost than traditional RDS options |
Scales automatically to handle workload surges | Limited support for non-MySQL or PostgreSQL databases |
Reduces downtime with automatic failover | Requires careful configuration for optimal performance |
Delivers faster performance than standard MySQL/PostgreSQL | Can be overkill for small-scale applications |
Amazon Aurora is a powerful choice for businesses needing high-performance relational databases. For applications requiring in-memory caching or analytics, other AWS databases like Amazon ElastiCache may be a better fit.
Amazon ElastiCache is an in-memory AWS database service that accelerates application performance by caching frequently accessed data. It supports Redis and Memcached, making it ideal for real-time applications that require ultra-low latency.
This type of database in AWS helps reduce load on primary databases by offloading read-heavy workloads.
Key Features
Use Cases
Benefits & Limitations
Benefits |
Limitations |
Improves database response times significantly | Data is volatile unless persistence is enabled |
Reduces load on primary databases | Requires expertise in cache tuning for optimal performance |
Supports multi-AZ deployments for reliability | Not designed for applications that require full ACID compliance," since it's specific to the nature of in-memory caching systems. |
Seamlessly integrates with AWS services like RDS and DynamoDB | It can become costly for large-scale deployments. |
Amazon ElastiCache is a crucial AWS database for applications needing real-time speed and efficiency. However, if your workload requires large-scale data processing with structured queries, Amazon Redshift might be a better option.
Amazon Redshift is a fully managed data warehouse designed for large-scale analytics. This AWS database handles complex queries on petabyte-scale datasets using columnar storage for optimized performance. Redshift integrates with business intelligence tools to support real-time reporting and data visualization.
Key Features
Use Cases
Benefits & Limitations
Benefits |
Limitations |
Handles massive datasets with high-speed processing | Requires careful query optimization to avoid performance issues |
Offers cost-effective storage with compression | Can be expensive for frequent, small-scale queries |
Supports seamless integration with AWS analytics services | Not ideal for transactional workloads requiring frequent updates |
Provides automated backups and replication | Learning curve for setting up and optimizing clusters |
Amazon Redshift is an excellent choice for organizations dealing with large-scale data analytics. If you need an AWS database optimized for document-based workloads, Amazon DocumentDB might be the right solution.
Amazon DocumentDB is a fully managed AWS database designed for document-based workloads.
It provides native support for JSON-like data structures and is compatible with MongoDB, making it ideal for modern applications requiring flexible schemas. This type of database in AWS is optimized for high availability and automatic scaling.
Key Features
Use Cases
Benefits & Limitations
Benefits |
Limitations |
Optimized for high-performance document storage | Limited to MongoDB workloads |
Automatically scales to handle varying traffic loads | More expensive than self-managed MongoDB instances |
Provides built-in security and encryption | Does not support all MongoDB features |
Fully managed service with automated maintenance | Not ideal for relational data requiring complex joins |
Amazon DocumentDB is a great choice for document-oriented workloads that require high availability. However, if you need a fully managed graph database, Amazon Neptune may be a better fit.
Amazon Neptune is a managed AWS database designed for graph-based applications. It supports popular graph models like property graphs and RDF, making it ideal for applications requiring complex relationship mapping. This type of database in AWS is optimized for real-time querying and high-throughput workloads.
Key Features
Use Cases
Benefits & Limitations
Benefits |
Limitations |
Optimized for complex relationship queries | Learning curve for graph query languages |
High availability with automated failover | Higher cost compared to traditional relational databases |
Supports real-time processing of graph data | Not suitable for simple key-value or document-based workloads |
Fully managed service with integrated security | Limited support for certain graph algorithms |
Amazon Neptune is an excellent AWS database for handling complex relationships in data. If your workload requires time-series data processing, Amazon Timestream is a more suitable option.
Amazon Timestream is a fully managed AWS database built for time-series data. It is designed to handle massive volumes of real-time data while providing fast querying and storage optimization. This type of database in AWS is ideal for applications that generate continuous streams of events and metrics.
Key Features
Use Cases
Benefits & Limitations
Benefits |
Limitations |
Optimized for high-speed ingestion of time-series data | Limited support for relational or document-based workloads |
Automatically scales storage based on data age | Requires proper schema design for efficient querying |
Reduces cost with built-in data lifecycle management | Not ideal for workloads needing complex transactions |
Fully managed service with integration into AWS analytics tools | Querying may differ from traditional SQL databases |
Amazon Timestream is a powerful AWS database for handling real-time and historical data efficiently. If you need a simple, key-value store for ultra-fast access, Amazon Keyspaces might be a better alternative.
Amazon Keyspaces is a fully managed AWS database that provides compatibility with Apache Cassandra. It enables you to run Cassandra workloads without managing infrastructure, offering scalability, security, and reliability. This type of database in AWS is designed for applications requiring high availability and distributed data storage.
Key Features
Use Cases
Benefits & Limitations
Benefits |
Limitations |
No need to manage Cassandra infrastructure | Higher latency compared to self-hosted Cassandra |
Scales automatically to accommodate workload spikes | Limited customization compared to self-managed Cassandra clusters |
Provides built-in security and encryption | Not ideal for applications requiring complex joins and aggregations |
Pay-as-you-go pricing reduces upfront costs | Can become expensive for high-throughput workloads |
Amazon Keyspaces is an excellent choice for applications requiring distributed NoSQL storage with high availability. However, if your workload involves relational databases with SQL compatibility, Amazon RDS may be a better alternative.
AWS Glue Data Catalog is a metadata management service that helps organize and discover datasets stored across AWS databases. It is not a traditional database but plays a crucial role in managing structured and semi-structured data for analytics and ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) processes. This AWS database tool simplifies data discovery and governance.
Key Features
Use Cases
Benefits & Limitations
Benefits |
Limitations |
Simplifies metadata management across AWS databases | Not a primary data storage solution |
Automates schema discovery and data classification | Requires integration with other AWS services for full functionality |
Enhances security with IAM-based access control | Can be complex to configure for beginners |
Improves data governance and compliance | Higher costs for large-scale metadata storage |
AWS Glue Data Catalog is essential for organizing and managing large-scale datasets. If you need a more traditional data warehouse solution, Amazon Redshift would be a better choice.
Amazon QLDB is a fully managed AWS database designed for ledger-based applications that require an immutable and transparent record of transactions. Unlike traditional relational databases, this type of database in AWS ensures data integrity by providing cryptographic verification and an append-only journal.
Key Features
Use Cases
Benefits & Limitations
Benefits |
Limitations |
Provides immutable data storage for enhanced security | Limited scalability compared to NoSQL databases |
Ensures complete transparency with cryptographic verification | Not optimized for complex analytical queries |
Automates ledger management, reducing administrative effort | Higher latency for real-time applications |
Supports SQL-like queries for ease of use | May not be necessary for applications without auditing needs |
Also Read: AWS Cheat Sheet: Contents of Cheat Sheet & Impact
Amazon QLDB is best suited for applications requiring secure and verifiable records. If your workload focuses on caching frequently accessed data, Amazon ElastiCache would be a better alternative.
Amazon SimpleDB is a key-value AWS database designed for smaller-scale, lightweight applications that require flexible data storage. Unlike Amazon DynamoDB, which is optimized for high-performance workloads, SimpleDB is more suitable for scenarios with moderate throughput requirements. This type of database in AWS is schema-less, making it easy to adapt to changing data structures.
Key Features
Use Cases
Benefits & Limitations
Benefits |
Limitations |
Simple setup and easy-to-use key-value storage | Not optimized for high-performance, large-scale applications |
Supports automatic indexing for quick data retrieval | Limited support for complex queries and joins |
Schema-less structure allows flexible data modeling | Eventual consistency may lead to data synchronization delays |
Cost-effective for small-scale applications | Not ideal for workloads requiring high availability and scalability |
Also Read: What Is Amazon AWS Management Console: Beginners Guide
AWS databases offer various pricing models based on usage, storage, and performance needs. Understanding these cost structures can help you optimize expenses while maintaining efficiency. In the next section, you will find an in-depth comparison of AWS database pricing models and strategies to reduce costs effectively.
Understanding the pricing models of various types of databases in AWS is crucial for effective cost management. Below, you'll find a comparison of AWS database services, followed by strategies to optimize these costs.
The following table provides an overview of the pricing aspects of different AWS database services:
AWS Database Service |
Pricing Model |
Instance Pricing (On-Demand) |
Storage Costs |
Additional Costs |
Amazon RDS | On-Demand, Reserved Instances | Varies by engine and instance type; e.g., db.t3.micro starts at INR 1.48 ($0.017)/hour | INR 8.70 ($0.10) per GB-month for General Purpose SSD | I/O requests at INR 17.40 ($0.20) per million requests |
Amazon Aurora | On-Demand, Reserved Instances | Starts at INR 5.22 ($0.06) per ACU-hour | INR 8.70 ($0.10) per GB-month | Backup storage beyond free allotment charged at INR 1.83 ($0.021) per GB-month |
Amazon DynamoDB | Pay-per-request, Provisioned Capacity | INR 108.75 ($1.25) per WCU-month and INR 21.75 ($0.25) per RCU-month | INR 21.75 ($0.25) per GB-month | Data transfer and Global Tables replication costs |
Amazon ElastiCache | On-Demand, Reserved Nodes | Cache.t3.micro starts at INR 1.48 ($0.017)/hour | Not applicable | Data transfer costs |
Amazon Redshift | On-Demand, Reserved Instances | dc2.large starts at INR 21.75 ($0.25)/hour | INR 2.00 ($0.023) per GB-month | Spectrum queries at INR 435.00 ($5) per TB of data scanned |
Amazon Neptune | On-Demand, Reserved Instances | db.r5.large starts at INR 30.28 ($0.348)/hour | INR 8.70 ($0.10) per GB-month | I/O requests at INR 17.40 ($0.20) per million requests |
Note: Prices are subject to change and may vary by region.
To manage expenses effectively across various types of databases in AWS, consider the following strategies:
Also Read: AWS Vs Azure: Which Cloud Computing Platform is Right For You?
Moving to the next section, it's essential to understand how to select the appropriate AWS database service for your specific use case. This involves evaluating factors such as data structure, access patterns, scalability requirements, and cost considerations.
Selecting the right AWS database depends on factors like data structure, scalability, and cost efficiency. Below are key considerations to help you choose the best option among the various types of databases in AWS.
The next section discusses how upGrad can help you gain expertise in different types of databases in AWS and build a strong foundation for your career in cloud computing.
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