Amazon DynamoDB vs Cassandra: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Amazon DynamoDB and Cassandra comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
Bottom line: Amazon DynamoDB wins this matchup. PostgreSQL is our overall Data & Databases pick. PostgreSQL is our free Data & Databases pick. Pick Cassandra if you need a fully free option.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
Amazon DynamoDB
Serverless NoSQL database with single-digit millisecond latency
Best for you if:
- • You want fully managed NoSQL
Cassandra
Distributed NoSQL database for massive scale
Best for you if:
- • You want a fully free tool (Amazon DynamoDB requires payment)
| At a Glance | Amazon DynamoDB | Cassandra |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | $0.00065/WCU/hour Provisioned | Free 100% free |
Category | Data & Databases Cloud & Infrastructure | Data & Databases Cloud & Infrastructure |
Rating | 2.9/5 G2 4.4 · Trustpilot 1.3 951 reviews | 4.1/5 G2 4.1 35 reviews |
Free plan | No | Yes |
Choose Amazon DynamoDB or Cassandra?
Choose Amazon DynamoDB if
- You want fully managed NoSQL
- You want single-digit millisecond latency
Choose Cassandra if
- You want a fully free tool (Amazon DynamoDB requires payment)
- You want highly scalable
- You want no single point of failure
In-Depth Analysis
Amazon DynamoDB
Serverless NoSQL database with single-digit millisecond latency
DynamoDB's pricing is generally fair, especially with the generous Free Tier and the upcoming 50% price reduction in Jan 2025.
Strengths
- Pro: Fully managed NoSQL
- Pro: Single-digit millisecond latency
- Pro: Scales automatically
- Pro: Serverless option
- Pro: Global tables
Weaknesses
- Con: Pricing complex
- Con: Query limitations
- Con: No joins or complex queries
- Con: Vendor lock-in
- Con: Learning curve for data modeling
Key features
Cassandra
Distributed NoSQL database for massive scale
The pricing for Cassandra is exceptionally fair and generous, as the core product is entirely open source and free to use.
Strengths
- Pro: Highly scalable
- Pro: No single point of failure
- Pro: Good for write-heavy
- Pro: Geo-distribution
- Pro: Open source
Weaknesses
- Con: Complex to operate
- Con: Learning curve
- Con: Query limitations
- Con: Resource intensive
- Con: Not for small scale
Key features
Pricing: Amazon DynamoDB vs Cassandra
| Plan | Amazon DynamoDB | Cassandra |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free Tier | Free Open Source |
| Tier 2 | $1.25 /1M writes On-Demand | N/A |
| Tier 3 | $0.00065 /WCU/hour Provisioned | N/A |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Amazon DynamoDB pricing and Cassandra pricing.
Key Takeaways
Amazon DynamoDB
- Larger review base (951 reviews)
- Our pick for this comparison
Cassandra
- Completely free
- Higher user rating: 4.1/5 vs 2.9/5
The Bottom Line
Amazon DynamoDB wins this matchup. PostgreSQL is our overall Data & Databases pick. PostgreSQL is our free Data & Databases pick. That said, Cassandra is free, hard to beat on price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Amazon DynamoDB or Cassandra better in 2026?
Amazon DynamoDB wins this matchup. PostgreSQL is our overall Data & Databases pick. PostgreSQL is our free Data & Databases pick. Pick Amazon DynamoDB for data & databases workflows (main strength: fully managed NoSQL). Pick Cassandra for data & databases workflows (main strength: highly scalable).
What are Amazon DynamoDB and Cassandra used for?
Amazon DynamoDB: Serverless NoSQL database with single-digit millisecond latency. Cassandra: Distributed NoSQL database for massive scale.
What does Amazon DynamoDB cost vs Cassandra?
Amazon DynamoDB's paid plans start at $0.00065/WCU/hour (Provisioned). Cassandra is free.
What's the main difference between Amazon DynamoDB and Cassandra?
Amazon DynamoDB's main strength: fully managed NoSQL. Cassandra's main strength: highly scalable.