Cloudflare D1 vs AWS RDS: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Cloudflare D1 and AWS RDS 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: Cloudflare D1 wins this matchup. Our overall Data & Databases pick is PostgreSQL. Our free Data & Databases pick is PostgreSQL. Pick AWS RDS if you need managed databases.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Cloudflare D1
Serverless SQL database at the edge
Best for you if:
- • You want generous free tier with 5 million reads/day and 5 GB storage
- • You want no egress charges unlike most cloud databases
AWS RDS
Managed relational database service
Best for you if:
- • You want fully managed
- • You want multiple databases
| At a Glance | Cloudflare D1 | AWS RDS |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | $0.016/hourOn-Demand |
Best For | Data & Databases | Managed Databases |
Rating | 4.5/5 | 4.3/5 |
Free plan | Yes | - |
Choose Cloudflare D1 or AWS RDS?
Choose Cloudflare D1 if
Serverless SQL database at the edge
- You want generous free tier with 5 million reads/day and 5 GB storage
- You want no egress charges unlike most cloud databases
- Your work is data & databases-shaped, not managed databases-shaped
Choose AWS RDS if
Managed relational database service
- You want fully managed
- You want multiple databases
- Your work is managed databases-shaped, not data & databases-shaped
| Feature | Cloudflare D1 | AWS RDS |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Usage_based |
| User Rating | ★4.5/5 696 reviews | ★4.3/5 1,130 reviews |
| Categories | Data & DatabasesServerless | Managed DatabasesCloud & Infrastructure |
In-Depth Analysis
Cloudflare D1
Serverless SQL database at the edge
D1 is usage-priced, not a $29 database SKU.
Watch out
Workers CPU that runs the query is billed on Workers pricing, on top of D1 rows (official FAQ).
Strengths
- +Generous free tier with 5 million reads/day and 5 GB storage
- +No egress charges unlike most cloud databases
- +Scale-to-zero means no cost when inactive
- +Time Travel provides built-in disaster recovery
- +Seamless integration with Cloudflare Workers ecosystem
Weaknesses
- -10 GB maximum per individual database
- -SQLite compatibility means no full PostgreSQL/MySQL feature set
- -Tightly coupled to Cloudflare Workers ecosystem
- -Not suited for single large monolithic databases
- -Relatively new product with evolving feature set
Key features
AWS RDS
Managed relational database service
AWS RDS pricing is generally fair and highly flexible, especially with its robust Free Tier and On-Demand options.
Watch out
Backup storage overage
Strengths
- +Fully managed
- +Multiple databases
- +High availability
Weaknesses
- -AWS lock-in
- -Can be expensive
Key features
Pricing: Cloudflare D1 vs AWS RDS
| Plan | Cloudflare D1 | AWS RDS |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free Workers Free | Free Free Tier |
| Tier 2 | Usage Workers Paid | $0.016 /hour On-Demand |
| Tier 3 | N/A | 30-70% off 1-3 year term Reserved |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Cloudflare D1 pricing and AWS RDS pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are freemium. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Cloudflare D1
Want the highest-rated option?
Cloudflare D1: 4.5/5 (696 reviews). AWS RDS: 4.3/5 (1,130 reviews).
Go with: Cloudflare D1
Value user reviews?
Cloudflare D1: 696 reviews (4.5/5). AWS RDS: 1,130 reviews (4.3/5).
Go with: AWS RDS
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Cloudflare D1 is freemium. AWS RDS is usage_based. Cloudflare D1 lets you start free.
What's your use case?
Cloudflare D1 is a data & databases tool. AWS RDS is in managed databases. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Cloudflare D1 is rated higher: 4.5/5 vs 4.3/5.
Key Takeaways
Cloudflare D1
- Higher user rating: 4.5/5 vs 4.3/5
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
AWS RDS
- Larger review base (1,130 reviews)
- Better fit for managed databases
The Bottom Line
Cloudflare D1 wins this matchup. Our overall Data & Databases pick is PostgreSQL. Our free Data & Databases pick is PostgreSQL.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cloudflare D1 or AWS RDS better?
Cloudflare D1 is rated in our evaluation. Cloudflare D1 is freemium and AWS RDS is usage_based.
What are Cloudflare D1 and AWS RDS used for?
Cloudflare D1: Serverless SQL database at the edge. AWS RDS: Managed relational database service.
What does Cloudflare D1 cost vs AWS RDS?
Cloudflare D1 is freemium (free tier + paid plans). AWS RDS is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.