Memcached vs Hazelcast: Head-to-Head Comparison

Quick Verdict

Memcached is the better pick for simple key-value caching at scale. Hazelcast is the better pick for Java applications needing distributed caching and compute.

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At a Glance

Feature	Memcached	Hazelcast
Best For	Simple key-value caching at scale	Java applications needing distributed caching and compute
Pricing	Free and open source	Free community edition; paid enterprise
Free to Start	Yes	Yes
License	Open source	Open-core
Deployment	Self-hosted	Self-hosted or managed cloud
Link	Visit Memcached	Visit Hazelcast

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Detailed Breakdown

Memcached

Simple, high-performance distributed memory cache

Pros:

• Very simple and fast
• Multithreaded
• Extremely mature

Cons:

• No persistence
• Only simple string values

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Hazelcast

Distributed in-memory computing platform

Pros:

• Distributed data structures
• Stream processing
• Strong Java integration

Cons:

• Heavier than simple caches
• Enterprise features are paid

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Key Differences

• Positioning: Memcached — simple, high-performance distributed memory cache. Hazelcast — distributed in-memory computing platform.
• Licensing differs: Memcached is open source while Hazelcast is open-core.
• Deployment: Memcached — self-hosted. Hazelcast — self-hosted or managed cloud.
• Pricing: Memcached — free and open source. Hazelcast — free community edition; paid enterprise.
• Signature strength: Memcached — very simple and fast. Hazelcast — distributed data structures.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Memcached better than Hazelcast?

It depends on your requirements. Memcached is a strong fit for simple key-value caching at scale, while Hazelcast suits Java applications needing distributed caching and compute.

Is Memcached free to use?

Yes, you can start with Memcached for free. Pricing model: Free and open source.

Is Hazelcast free to use?

Yes, you can start with Hazelcast for free. Pricing model: Free community edition; paid enterprise.

Can I self-host Memcached or Hazelcast?

Memcached can be self-hosted. Deployment options: self-hosted. Hazelcast can be self-hosted. Deployment options: self-hosted or managed cloud.

What are the main drawbacks of Memcached and Hazelcast?

Memcached: no persistence; only simple string values. Hazelcast: heavier than simple caches; enterprise features are paid.