Cassandra vs Scylla: What are the differences?

Introduction

Cassandra and Scylla are two popular NoSQL databases that are widely used for handling large amounts of data. While they share similarities, there are key differences between the two that make them suitable for different use cases.

1. Data Model: Cassandra follows a columnar storage model where data is organized in tables with flexible schemas. It allows for the storage of different types of columns within a row. On the other hand, Scylla is based on Cassandra's distributed design and provides a column-family data model, which is similar to Cassandra's, but with additional optimizations for performance.

2. Scalability: Cassandra is known for its excellent scalability and high availability. It can distribute data across multiple nodes in a cluster, allowing for horizontal scalability. Scylla takes Cassandra's scalability to the next level by being built from the ground up in C++. It leverages modern hardware and advanced techniques to provide exceptional throughput and low latency even under heavy workloads.

3. Performance: While both Cassandra and Scylla offer high performance, Scylla is specifically designed to achieve maximum performance. Scylla achieves this by using a shared-nothing architecture, which means that each node operates independently, resulting in reduced coordination overhead and faster response times. Scylla's write and read paths are highly optimized, resulting in significantly lower latencies compared to Cassandra.

4. Compatibility: Cassandra has been widely adopted and has a well-established ecosystem. It has a large community and supports a variety of client libraries and tools. Scylla, being compatible with Cassandra's API, can seamlessly replace Cassandra in most use cases. It provides drop-in compatibility, allowing users to migrate from Cassandra to Scylla without code changes.

5. Ease of Use: While both databases require some level of expertise to manage, Cassandra tends to have a steeper learning curve. Setting up and optimizing a Cassandra cluster can be challenging, especially for inexperienced users. Scylla simplifies this process by automating many of the manual tasks and providing a user-friendly management interface, making it easier to get started and operate.

6. Community Support: Cassandra has a vibrant and active community that has contributed to its growth and adoption. It has been around for a longer time and has a larger user base. Scylla, being a younger project, has a smaller community compared to Cassandra. However, Scylla's community is growing rapidly, and it benefits from Cassandra's vast ecosystem and community knowledge.

In Summary, Cassandra and Scylla have key differences including their data models, scalability, performance, compatibility, ease of use, and community support. Each database offers unique advantages and is suitable for different use cases.