Cloudflare KV vs Cloudflare D1: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Cloudflare KV and Cloudflare D1 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 Cloudflare KV if you need a free tier to start with.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Cloudflare KV
Create a global, low-latency, key-value data storage for dynamic and performant applications.
Best for you if:
- • You want extremely low latency for reads, especially for hot keys
- • You want globally distributed for high availability and performance
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
| At a Glance | Cloudflare KV | Cloudflare D1 |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | Data & Databases | Data & Databases |
Rating | - | 4.5/5 |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose Cloudflare KV or Cloudflare D1?
Choose Cloudflare KV if
Create a global, low-latency, key-value data storage for dynamic and performant applications.
- You want extremely low latency for reads, especially for hot keys
- You want globally distributed for high availability and performance
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
| Feature | Cloudflare KV | Cloudflare D1 |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| User Rating | No ratings yet | ★4.5/5 696 reviews |
| Categories | Data & DatabasesCloud & Infrastructure | Data & DatabasesServerless |
In-Depth Analysis
Cloudflare KV
Create a global, low-latency, key-value data storage for dynamic and performant applications.
Strengths
- +Extremely low latency for reads, especially for hot keys.
- +Globally distributed for high availability and performance.
- +Cost-effective with a generous free tier.
- +Seamless integration with Cloudflare Workers.
- +Suitable for caching, configuration, and session data.
Weaknesses
- -Eventually consistent, not suitable for applications requiring strong immediate consistency.
- -Limited write rate per unique key (1 write RPS).
- -Operations via dashboard or CLI count as billable usage.
Key features
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
Pricing: Cloudflare KV vs Cloudflare D1
| Plan | Cloudflare KV | Cloudflare D1 |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | N/A | Free Workers Free |
| Tier 2 | N/A | Usage Workers Paid |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Cloudflare KV pricing and Cloudflare D1 pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are freemium. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Cloudflare KV
Want the highest-rated option?
Cloudflare D1 is rated 4.5/5. Cloudflare KV has no ratings yet.
Go with: Cloudflare D1
Value user reviews?
Cloudflare KV: no ratings yet. Cloudflare D1: 696 reviews (4.5/5).
Go with: Cloudflare D1
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are freemium. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
Both are data & databases tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Cloudflare D1 is rated 4.5/5; Cloudflare KV has no ratings yet.
Key Takeaways
Cloudflare D1
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Cloudflare KV
- Choose if you want create a global, low-latency, key-value data storage for dynamic and performant applications
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 KV or Cloudflare D1 better?
Cloudflare D1 is rated in our evaluation. Both are freemium.
What are Cloudflare KV and Cloudflare D1 used for?
Cloudflare KV: Create a global, low-latency, key-value data storage for dynamic and performant applications.. Cloudflare D1: Serverless SQL database at the edge.
What does Cloudflare KV cost vs Cloudflare D1?
Cloudflare KV is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Cloudflare D1 is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.