Open-Source Databases · nalgeon

redka

Redka is a Redis-compatible key-value store built on SQL backends (SQLite or PostgreSQL) instead of in-memory storage. It supports five core data types (strings, lists, sets, hashes, sorted sets), ACID transactions, and works as either an embedded Go library or standalone server.

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Source: GitHub — github.com/nalgeon/redka

4.6k

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134

Forks

Primary language

BSD-3-Clause

License (OSI-approved)

Key facts

Objective fields from the source. Values we can't verify are shown as “Unknown” rather than guessed.

Field	Value
Repository	nalgeon/redka
Owner	nalgeon
Primary language	Go
License	BSD-3-Clause — OSI-approved
Stars	4.6k
Forks	134
Open issues	0
Latest release	v1.0.1 (2026-02-04)
Last updated	2026-02-04
Source	https://github.com/nalgeon/redka

What redka is

Written in Go, Redka implements the Redis RESP wire protocol and command set on top of relational storage, enabling data to exceed RAM limits and leverage SQL for transactions and analytics. It prioritizes compatibility over raw throughput, handling tens of thousands of ops/sec with either SQLite (single-process) or PostgreSQL (multi-client) backends.

Quickstart

Get the redka source

Clone the repository and explore it locally.

terminalbash

1git clone https://github.com/nalgeon/redka.git2cd redka3# follow the project's README for install & configuration

Need it deployed, integrated, or customized instead? DEV.co ships production installs.

Best use cases

Embedded cache for Go applications

Ideal for Go services needing Redis-like data structures without running a separate server. SQLite backend keeps everything in-process with no external dependencies.

Test and development environments

Lightweight alternative to Redis test containers. In-memory mode provides fast, isolated test runs without container overhead; full API compatibility with production Redis code.

PostgreSQL-native architectures

Enables teams standardized on PostgreSQL to consolidate relational and key-value operations under one database, one transaction system, and one set of monitoring/backup tools.

Implementation considerations

Choose storage backend early: SQLite for single-process/testing, PostgreSQL for multi-client or existing Postgres infrastructure.
Plan for SQL schema and query access: data is stored relationally; you can write custom SQL views and reports, but schema changes require migration.
Throughput expectations: tens of thousands of ops/sec is typical; profile against your workload before committing to production.
Connection pooling and concurrency: PostgreSQL backend requires proper client connection management; SQLite is single-writer.
Data durability and ACID semantics: leverage SQL transactions for multi-operation atomicity, but understand storage latency vs. in-memory caches.

When to avoid it — and what to weigh

You need Redis performance at scale — Redka explicitly trades throughput for SQL features. Raw ops/sec is lower than Redis; not suitable for high-throughput, latency-sensitive workloads.
You require pub/sub or streams — These advanced Redis features are not implemented. If your application depends on Redis Pub/Sub or streams, Redka is insufficient.
You operate multi-node Redis clusters — Redka does not provide cluster support or replication. Single-node (or multi-client via PostgreSQL) only.
You depend on the latest Redis features — Project is in maintenance mode with no new features planned. Breaking Redis API changes or new Redis commands will not be added.

License & commercial use

BSD-3-Clause (New/Revised) is a permissive open-source license. Allows commercial use, modification, and distribution with proper attribution and liability disclaimer.

BSD-3-Clause explicitly permits commercial use. No royalties or vendor lock-in. However, project is in maintenance mode (one-person effort); no professional support or SLA is documented. For production deployments, assess your team's ability to maintain or patch forks independently.

DEV.co evaluation signals

Editorial assessment — not user reviews. Directional, with an explicit confidence level.

Signal	Assessment
Maintenance	Moderate
Documentation	Adequate
License clarity	Clear
Deployment complexity	Low
DEV.co fit	Good
Assessment confidence	High

Security considerations

Redka inherits security properties of its SQL backend (SQLite or PostgreSQL). No explicit authentication/authorization beyond the database layer is documented. TLS support for standalone server is not mentioned; assess whether you require encryption in transit. Input validation relies on RESP protocol parser and SQL backend. No security audit or penetration test results are published.

Alternatives to consider

Redis

Gold standard for in-memory key-value stores; unmatched throughput, clustering, pub/sub, streams, and ecosystem. Choose if raw performance and feature richness are priorities.

Memcached

Simpler, lighter alternative for basic caching; no complex data structures or transactions. Choose if you only need simple key-value caching and want minimal overhead.

PostgreSQL JSON/JSONB with pg_cron or native functions

Leverage a single Postgres instance for relational and document data without a separate cache layer. Choose if your workload fits into relational schemas and you want unified transactions.

Software development agency

Build on redka with DEV.co software developers

Redka excels in embedded Go services and Postgres-centric environments but sacrifices Redis performance for SQL durability. Our engineers can assess fit, prototype integrations, and design migration strategies. Contact Devco for a technical review.

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redka FAQ

Can I use Redka as a drop-in Redis replacement in production?

Partially. Redka is wire-protocol compatible and suitable for non-critical production (per the README). It lacks pub/sub, streams, and cluster features, and throughput is lower. Evaluate your specific workload; test thoroughly before full migration.

What is the performance overhead compared to Redis?

Redka is not optimized for raw throughput and trades performance for SQL features. The README states it can handle tens of thousands of ops/sec, which is sufficient for many applications but far below Redis. See benchmarks in docs/performance.md for specifics.

Do I need a separate database server?

No. Use SQLite for embedded, single-process deployments (no external database required). Use PostgreSQL if you need multi-client access or existing Postgres infrastructure. SQLite is the simplest option for most Go applications.

Is Redka actively developed?

No. It is stable and in maintenance mode (bug fixes, compatibility updates). No new features are planned. If you need ongoing feature development, consider Redis or forking the project.

Custom software development services

From first prototype to production, DEV.co delivers software development services around tools like redka. Our software development agency staffs experienced software developers and web developers for custom software development, web development, integrations, and ongoing support across open-source databases and beyond.

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