Valkey Emerges as a Prominent Alternative to Redis in 2024
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The Rise of Valkey
The recent announcement from The Linux Foundation introduces Valkey as an open-source alternative to Redis, a popular in-memory NoSQL data storage solution. Cloud providers have felt that Redis has limited their ability to engage with the open-source community. In turn, commercial companies using Redis have accused these cloud providers of merely taking advantage of their code and resources.
Valkey 7.2.5-rc1 has officially launched, marking an important milestone in the ongoing evolution of Redis forks, particularly following Redis Labs’ licensing changes on March 21, 2024. This shift prompted the emergence of various Redis forks, including Redict and Valkey, which had previously lacked clear developmental pathways. Developers aiming to integrate Redis into new projects faced difficulties in determining the most viable option in the current environment.
Valkey distinguishes itself through its backing from a number of core Redis developers. Now under The Linux Foundation’s umbrella, Valkey has released its first compatible version, allowing existing Redis users to transition smoothly without facing major API changes. The project has formed a technical steering committee composed of former Redis contributors, and it has received support from numerous cloud providers and tech giants like Aiven, Alibaba Cloud, and Heroku, among others.
The Linux Foundation has noted that the Redis project has benefitted from the contributions of thousands of open-source developers since its inception in 2009. To foster continued growth and unrestricted distribution, the community has created Valkey, which promises to be a high-performance key-value store. The upcoming major release, Valkey 8.0, is expected by the end of 2024 and will introduce features aimed at enhancing memory efficiency and slot migration.
Understanding Valkey’s Origins
So, what is Valkey exactly, and what led to its development? The story begins with Redis Labs' decision to alter its open-source license last month, leading to unrest among developers. On March 21, 2024, CEO Rowan Trollope announced the switch from the original BSD license to dual licenses RSAL v2 and SSPL v1, citing the need to protect commercial interests and prevent cloud providers from using the open-source version for their SaaS offerings.
This license shift has sparked backlash within the developer community, as many external contributors viewed it as a betrayal. Consequently, long-time maintainer Madelyn Olson decided to launch Valkey from her own GitHub account. The response was swift, with many Redis maintainers opting to join her in this new initiative.
Valkey now boasts five core maintainers, including three from Redis Labs, with Olson representing AWS and Zhao Zhao from Alibaba Cloud.
Are Cloud Providers Really Taking Advantage?
A closer look at the contributions to the Redis community reveals a growing participation from cloud providers. Data from the X-lab open-source platform shows a shift in contributions, with internal Redis developers' share declining from nearly 80% in 2020 to below 40% by early 2024. Companies like Amazon Web Services, Alibaba Cloud, and Tencent Cloud have played significant roles in this community.
In June 2020, Salvatore Sanfilippo, Redis’s founder, resigned from maintaining the community. His responsibilities were passed to Yossi Gottlieb and Oran Agra from Redis Labs, who then initiated a new governance model alongside Madelyn Olson and Zhao Zhao.
Following the license change, many cloud provider contributors, initially hesitant, quickly transitioned to the Valkey community. The new licensing terms from Redis explicitly barred cloud providers from contributing, leading to a swift withdrawal from the existing community.
Zhao Zhao emphasized that their contributions have not only included code but also valuable feedback from real user experiences, underscoring their commitment to the Redis community's flourishing.
The Transition to Valkey
As of 2024, among the top contributors to Redis, only two remain with Redis Labs, while seven are actively working on Valkey, signifying a new community formation. Following the license change, Valkey’s participant numbers surged, reflecting strong support from its core contributors.
Madelyn Olson expressed her dedication to open-source software, stating that Valkey aims to carry on the legacy of Redis while remaining true to open-source principles. Zhao Zhao echoed this sentiment, highlighting the collective passion for Redis among core team members.
Dr. Li Feifei from Alibaba Cloud noted the promising establishment of the Valkey community, eager to further support its development within the Linux Foundation's framework.
The Future of Open Source
The split in the Redis community appears to be permanent, with Valkey gaining momentum. Its establishment reflects the need for open-source projects to maintain transparency and community trust, especially in light of recent license changes.
As developers explore alternatives, other projects like kvrocks from the Apache Software Foundation are gaining traction. Unlike Redis, kvrocks operates as a disk-based key-value database, attracting attention from those disillusioned by Redis's licensing decisions.
Moreover, the narrative surrounding cloud providers "freeloading" on open-source projects is evolving. More cloud companies are recognizing the significance of contributing to the communities they rely on, leading to a healthier collaborative environment.
In conclusion, the interconnection of these developments underscores the dynamic nature of open-source ecosystems. As demonstrated by the recent shifts in the Redis community, the principles of openness and collaboration remain crucial for fostering innovation and sustaining growth in the tech landscape.