MongoDB vs DynamoDB: Ultimate Database Comparison Guide

Have you heard much about MongoDB vs DynamoDB? Is it becoming tough for you to decide which database to use? Then this straightforward comparison guide on MongoDB vs DynamoDB should assist you in selecting the best NoSQL database for you.

Databases have changed the way individuals and corporations handle and manage large amounts of data. It has enabled app developers, software engineers, data scientists, and others’ life simpler than ever before. MongoDB, PostgreSQL, MySQL, Cassandra, Redis, Aerospike, Firebase Realtime, and others are well-known database management service providers.

Today, two types of databases are in use: SQL databases and NoSQL databases. An SQL-type database, which is best for structured data, stores data in tabular format. A NoSQL database, on the other hand, stores data in objects in common formats such as JSON and BSON. Unstructured data is best served by a NoSQL database.

We will learn more about the differences between a SQL and NoSQL database in the upcoming sections of this MongoDB vs DynamoDB guide.

DynamoDBMongoDB
In-built IAM security model (default)No default security setup.
Limited data type options for storageWide range of data types available for storage
Comparatively higher latencyLess latency
Limited drivers supportWide range of drivers available
Strictly disallows schema-type storageIs schema-less but allows schema-type storage

What is a Database?

Now that you’ve successfully completed all of that pep talk :P, it’s time to quickly learn what databases are in their true meaning. A database is a centralized storage system for application data that can be managed by an administrator. A database can be connected with several users, each with its own set of rights.

SQL and NoSQL databases are the two types of databases. Both of these will be covered in the section that follows. For the time being, we can only assume that SQL-type databases store data in tabular format, whereas NoSQL-type databases store data in tree-like structures. Because they are both NoSQL databases, we are comparing MongoDB vs DynamoDB.

A database’s distinctive features include the ability for users to access, write, update, and remove data. They must, however, be granted certain powers to do so. Database administration services, in addition to data storage, offer a variety of other services. Regular backups, access restrictions, partitioning, and security are just a few examples of solutions.

What is a SQL and NoSQL Database?

Databases are useful and popular for a variety of reasons. Today’s comparison of MongoDB vs DynamoDB will take into account the majority of these characteristics.

SQL Database

An SQL database, often known as a relational database, is a type of database that stores data in tabular structures and allows for the storage of structured data. Consider it as an Excel spreadsheet. SQL databases may be used to store data for both small and large-scale applications.

MySQL, MariaDB, SQLite, PostgreSQL, OracleDB, and many other SQL databases are popular.

NoSQL Database

A NoSQL database, often known as a non-relational database, facilitates the storing and manipulation of unstructured data. NoSQL databases are ideal for real-time web applications and large amounts of data.

MongoDB, DynamoDB, Redis, Cassandra, Firebase, Couchbase, and other NoSQL databases are popular.

Let’s get started with the MongoDB vs DynamoDB comparison.

MongoDB vs DynamoDB

A comparison is made perfect and accurate by taking into account the different factors of comparison and aspects of the study. We will do the same and consider discussing the different facets of both these databases to better understand the differences.

Synopsis

MongoDB Inc. started the NoSQL database management solution in 2009. The original owners and developers, DoubleClick, published it in 2007 under the moniker 10gen.

DynamoDB was founded later in 2012 by Amazon for the Amazon Web Services platform. It is a key-value NoSQL database service and is fully managed.

Let us kickstart our comparison guide on MongoDB vs DynamoDB.

Installation and Set Up

There lies an ultimate level of difference between the two databases when it comes to installation and setting up. The DynamoDB database’s installation seems like a cakewalk. the installation starts with you creating an AWS account for DynamoDB. After a few steps, the user will be asked to set a secret access ID and key.

On the flip side, the MongoDB database installation is made a bit difficult especially for beginners. It involves setting up a server-starter file so users can turn up the server each time they want to work with the local database.

Winner: DynamoDB

Security

When it comes to the security of the databases, the cup again goes to DynamoDB this time. DynamoDB comes with an in-built security model. It acquires the Identity and Access Management (IAM) security model which provides immense protection to users and resources. With only a few steps of configuration, its security was proved to be intuitive and cooperative.

Meanwhile, MongoDB is secure too, however, it doesn’t come as a default thing. The database is comparatively vulnerable to breaches and does not come with that much of an impressive security system.

Winner: DynamoDB

Data Models, Types, & Schema

MongoDB comes with a BSON type data storage and allows document sizes of up to 16MB per document. you can even store multiple types of data, for instance, strings, timestamps, decimals, integers, and more.

On the other hand, DynamoDB allows a limited number of data types for storage and limits each of them to just 400KB in size.

Moreover, even though MongoDB is a schema-less database, it still allows its users to enforce schema-type storage with the help of ODMs and even the in-built schema validation. DynamoDB strictly disallows schema-type storage without offering the ability to do so in any way.

Winner: MongoDB

Speed

Mongodb Vs Dynamodb Speed Test 1
Source: Upstash

This aspect of the MongoDB vs DynamoDB comparison guide looks at the speed of the two databases. MongoDB offers a faster performance because it utilizes the RAM to store query data. On the flip side, this is not what you will find when using DynamoDB

Winner: MongoDB

Programming Languages/Drivers Support

If your team demands variety in how they interact with the database, MongoDB supports nearly all of the main programming languages. Nodejs (JavaScript), Java, Python, Scala, C, C#, C++, Clojure, PHP, Perl, PowerShell, and more languages are among them.

DynamoDB, but on the other contrary, only supports a minimal number of languages, which are as follows: Java, JavaScript, Swift, Node.js, .NET, PHP, and Python are all examples of programming languages.

Winner: MongoDB

See Also: MongoDB vs Firebase

Conclusion

Read this ultimate comparison guide on MongoDB vs DynamoDB.

Noteworthy References

Aneesha S
Aneesha S
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