How does ScyllaDB compare to Apache Cassandra in performance?

ScyllaDB offers order-of-magnitude performance improvements over Cassandra due to its shared-nothing architecture, while maintaining full API compatibility for easy migration, as stated in the README.

How to migrate from Cassandra to ScyllaDB?

Since ScyllaDB is API-compatible with Cassandra, you can typically point existing Cassandra drivers to a ScyllaDB cluster with minimal changes. Refer to the documentation for detailed migration steps and best practices.

Does ScyllaDB fully support the DynamoDB API?

Yes, through the Alternator feature, but it requires enabling and configuration. Check the Alternator docs for current compatibility status and Scylla-specific extensions, as mentioned in the README.

What are the hardware requirements for running ScyllaDB?

ScyllaDB is optimized for performance and may require robust hardware, especially in production. The developer-mode flag disables checks for optimal machine configuration, suggesting it's designed for high-end setups.

How to build ScyllaDB from source?

Use the frozen toolchain via dbuild as recommended in the README: run 'git submodule update --init --force --recursive', then './tools/toolchain/dbuild ./configure.py' and './tools/toolchain/dbuild ninja build/release/scylla'.

ScyllaDB vs DynamoDB: which is better for self-hosting?

ScyllaDB is ideal for self-hosting if you need DynamoDB compatibility with control over infrastructure and potential cost savings, but it requires more management effort compared to managed DynamoDB services.

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ScyllaDB

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A high-performance NoSQL database compatible with Apache Cassandra and Amazon DynamoDB, built on a shared-nothing architecture.

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What is ScyllaDB?

Scylla is a high-performance NoSQL database that is API-compatible with both Apache Cassandra and Amazon DynamoDB. It uses a shared-nothing architecture to deliver order-of-magnitude performance improvements over traditional databases while maintaining compatibility with existing applications. The database is designed for real-time big data workloads that require massive throughput and storage capacity.

Target Audience

Developers and organizations running high-scale, real-time applications that currently use Cassandra or DynamoDB but need better performance. Database administrators managing big data infrastructure who want to reduce hardware costs while maintaining compatibility.

Value Proposition

Scylla offers dramatic performance improvements over Cassandra and DynamoDB while maintaining full API compatibility, allowing users to switch without rewriting applications. Its shared-nothing architecture provides better throughput and scalability than traditional distributed databases.

Overview

NoSQL data store using the Seastar framework, compatible with Apache Cassandra and Amazon DynamoDB

Use Cases

Best For

Migrating from Cassandra to a higher-performance alternative
Replacing DynamoDB with a self-hosted solution
Real-time big data applications requiring massive throughput
Reducing hardware costs for existing Cassandra/DynamoDB workloads
High-scale distributed systems needing predictable low latency
Applications requiring both Cassandra and DynamoDB API compatibility

Not Ideal For

Applications requiring full ACID transactions and complex SQL queries
Small-scale projects or prototypes where simpler databases like PostgreSQL are sufficient
Environments with limited DevOps resources for managing complex distributed systems
Use cases needing extensive third-party tooling specific to other NoSQL databases

Pros & Cons

Pros

Dual API Compatibility

Supports both Apache Cassandra's CQL and Amazon DynamoDB's APIs via Alternator, enabling seamless migration without application changes, as highlighted in the README.

High Performance Architecture

Shared-nothing design increases throughput and reduces hardware costs, delivering order-of-magnitude performance improvements over traditional databases.

Real-time Big Data Ready

Optimized for real-time applications with massive storage capacity, making it ideal for high-throughput workloads described in the project description.

Comprehensive Documentation

Offers extensive docs, developer guidelines, and free training via Scylla University, providing robust resources for users and contributors.

Cons

Complex Build Requirements

Requires very recent C++23 compiler and libraries, with a frozen toolchain dependency adding setup complexity, as noted in the build prerequisites.

Resource-Intensive Operation

Designed for maximum performance, demanding significant hardware resources; the developer-mode flag indicates strict checks for optimal configurations.

Ecosystem Limitations

Compared to established databases like Cassandra, ScyllaDB has a smaller community and fewer third-party tools, potentially affecting integration ease.

Open Source Alternative To

ScyllaDB is an open-source alternative to the following products:

Apache Cassandra

Amazon DynamoDB

A fully managed NoSQL database service from AWS that provides fast and predictable performance with seamless scalability.

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