Upstash
Database · Free · since 2021
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Upstash is a serverless Redis, Kafka, and QStash with per-request pricing for edge and serverless. It handles serverless redis, kafka, qstash, and edge, and it's best suited for serverless developers wanting redis and kafka at the edge. It has been around since 2021, giving it a 5-year head start in building out integrations and refining the product.
The free plan is free 10k commands/day — enough for most people to evaluate whether it fits. It's designed for small teams, striking a balance between simplicity and collaboration features.
pros
- Includes Serverless Redis as a core feature, purpose-built for database workflows
- Includes Kafka as a core feature, purpose-built for database workflows
- Free 10K commands/day — generous enough for most small teams to get real work done
- Includes qstash alongside the core feature set — fewer separate tools needed
cons
- Free plan exists but key features are locked behind the paid upgrade
- Fewer built-in features means you may need additional tools to cover gaps
- Ecosystem of third-party integrations is smaller than the market leaders in database
- Limited team/admin features if your organization eventually scales up
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