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Amazon DynamoDB
AWS fully managed NoSQL database — single-digit millisecond latency, scales to unlimited throughput.
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About Amazon DynamoDB
DynamoDB is AWS''s fully managed NoSQL key-value and document database — single-digit millisecond latency at any scale, with no servers to manage. Used by Amazon.com (Prime Day), Lyft, and Airbnb for applications requiring massive read/write throughput.
DynamoDB vs MongoDB: DynamoDB is serverless (no cluster to manage, scales automatically). MongoDB Atlas requires cluster sizing. DynamoDB has a single-table design pattern where all data goes in one table with composite keys — very different from MongoDB''s document collections.
On-demand vs provisioned: On-demand pricing charges per request — perfect for unpredictable traffic (pay nothing when no requests, no capacity planning). Provisioned capacity is cheaper for predictable high-volume workloads.
DynamoDB Streams: capture every write operation as a stream for Lambda triggers, cross-region replication, and event-driven architectures.
Limitations: limited query flexibility — can only query by primary key or GSI (Global Secondary Index). Complex queries require multiple API calls or DynamoDB Local secondary indexes. Not suitable as a general-purpose database.
Key Features
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On-demand capacity: pay per request with no capacity planning required — scales to any throughput
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DynamoDB Streams: capture changes as a stream for Lambda triggers and replication
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Global Tables: multi-region active-active replication for global low-latency access
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TTL: automatic item expiration without cron jobs — set an expiry timestamp per item
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DAX: in-memory cache layer reducing read latency to microseconds
Pros
- ✓Single-digit millisecond latency at any scale — from 0 to 10 million requests per second
- ✓Serverless: no cluster sizing, no capacity planning — scales automatically
- ✓DynamoDB Streams: every write triggers Lambda functions for event-driven architectures
- ✓25 GB free tier permanently — free for small applications indefinitely
- ✓AWS-native: integrates directly with Lambda, API Gateway, S3, and all AWS services
Cons
- ✗Single-table design has a steep learning curve — very different from relational or document databases
- ✗Limited query flexibility: can only query by primary key or GSI — complex queries require multiple calls
- ✗Expensive for read-heavy workloads at scale — PostgreSQL RDS can be cheaper for complex queries
Who is using Amazon DynamoDB?
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AWS-native applications that need a serverless database that scales automatically with Lambda
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Applications with unpredictable traffic where on-demand pricing (pay per request) is more cost-effective
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Gaming leaderboards, user sessions, and shopping carts requiring single-digit millisecond reads
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Event-driven architectures where DynamoDB Streams trigger Lambda functions on every write
Use Cases
- →Storing user sessions in DynamoDB with a TTL attribute that automatically expires old sessions
- →Building a gaming leaderboard with fast reads using a GSI sorted by score
- →Using DynamoDB Streams to trigger a Lambda that updates a search index on every item change
- →On-demand pricing for a startup with unpredictable traffic — $0 when no requests
Pricing
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Free Tier : $0 (25 GB) — 25 GB storage, 25 read units/second, Community support
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Pay-as-you-go : Usage-based — $0.25/GB/month, $0.0001/read unit, All features, AWS support
Pricing details may not be up to date. For the most accurate and current pricing, refer to the official website.
What Makes Amazon DynamoDB Unique?
The AWS serverless NoSQL database with single-digit millisecond latency at any scale — no cluster to manage, automatic scaling, DynamoDB Streams for event-driven architectures, and 25 GB permanently free.
How We Rated It
Latency data from AWS DynamoDB documentation. Pricing from AWS pricing page July 2025.
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Accuracy and Reliability 4.4/5
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Ease of Use 4.3/5
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Functionality and Features 4.5/5
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Performance and Speed 4.7/5
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Customer Support 4.5/5
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Value for Money 4.3/5
AI summary
AWS fully managed NoSQL database — single-digit millisecond latency, scales to unlimited throughput.