Skip to content
SPECIFICTION
Get listed

Garnet

microsoft.github.io

Free plan WindowsmacOSLinuxSelf-hosted
Visit microsoft.github.io
Spec score 8.0 #7 of 27 in Caching Software

What it is

Garnet is a free remote cache-store from Microsoft Research for self-hosted use on Linux, macOS, and Windows. It uses RESP and works with many unmodified Redis clients, including StackExchange.Redis; documented libraries also include Jedis, Redisson, redis-py, node_redis, and go-redis. Its data APIs cover strings, lists, hashes, sets, sorted sets, geo operations, HyperLogLog, bitmaps, ACLs, pub/sub, transactions, and Lua scripting. Garnet can store datasets larger than memory on local or cloud storage and supports checkpointing and recovery. Multi-node mode provides sharding, state migration, and replication. Developers can register C# data structures and read-modify-write operations through its custom operator framework. TLS/SSL and password-based RESP authentication are supported. DiskANN vector database support and Bf-Tree range indexes are marked preview. Garnet is MIT-licensed, but is not intended as a fully compatible Redis replacement and does not support Redis modules. The self-hosted plan is free; you manage infrastructure, updates, and operations. The managed Azure Cosmos DB Garnet Cache is in expanded Private Preview, with no price listed.

Spec sheet

Purpose
Garnet is a remote cache-store from Microsoft Research designed for high performance, extensibility, and low latency.Read 29 Sep 2026 · microsoft.github.io
Platforms
The server is extensively tested on Windows and Linux, and is also described as running on Azure hardware and edge devices.Read 29 Sep 2026 · microsoft.github.io
Integrations
The documented Redis client libraries include StackExchange.Redis, Jedis, Redisson, redis-py, node_redis, and go-redis.Read 29 Sep 2026 · microsoft.github.io
Security
Garnet supports TLS/SSL connections and RESP password-based authentication.Read 29 Sep 2026 · microsoft.github.io
License
The Garnet project is licensed under the MIT License.Read 29 Sep 2026 · github.com
Founded
2024Read 28 Sep 2026 · microsoft.github.io
Cluster features
Multi-node cluster mode supports sharding, state migration, and replication.Read 29 Sep 2026 · microsoft.github.io
Compatibility limit
Garnet is not intended to be a fully compatible Redis drop-in replacement, and it does not support Redis modules.Read 29 Sep 2026 · microsoft.github.io
Data APIs
Its API includes strings, lists, hashes, sets, sorted sets, geo operations, HyperLogLog, bitmaps, ACLs, pub/sub, transactions, and Lua scripting.Read 29 Sep 2026 · microsoft.github.io
Extensibility
A custom operator framework lets developers register C# data structures and read-modify-write operations.Read 29 Sep 2026 · microsoft.github.io
Managed service
Azure Cosmos DB Garnet Cache handles infrastructure provisioning, scaling, patching, and monitoring automatically; it is in expanded Private Preview.Read 29 Sep 2026 · microsoft.github.io
Preview features
Vector database support using DiskANN and range index support using Bf-Tree are marked preview.Read 29 Sep 2026 · microsoft.github.io
Protocol and clients
Garnet uses the RESP protocol and works with many unmodified Redis clients, including StackExchange.Redis.Read 29 Sep 2026 · microsoft.github.io
Storage and recovery
Garnet supports datasets larger than memory using local or cloud storage, along with checkpointing and recovery.Read 29 Sep 2026 · microsoft.github.io
Support and community
The project site links to Discord and GitHub for community and project information.Read 29 Sep 2026 · microsoft.github.io

Plans and prices

Garnet Free Self-hosted; you manage infrastructure, updates, and operations Read 29 Sep 2026 · microsoft.github.io
Azure Cosmos DB Garnet Cache Priced on request Billed per instance per hour; no licensing fees. Disk is billed separately when persistence is enabled. Expanded Private Preview; per-node SKU pricing Read 29 Sep 2026 · microsoft.github.io

Every Garnet plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free self-hosted plan at free
  • Works with many unmodified Redis clients
  • Supports datasets larger than memory
  • Cluster mode includes sharding and replication
  • MIT License

Limits

  • Users manage infrastructure, updates, and operations
  • Not a fully compatible Redis replacement
  • Redis modules are not supported
  • Vector and range-index features are preview

Who it suits

Garnet suits developers who need a self-hosted cache with RESP clients, persistence, and cluster features. Teams seeking full Redis drop-in compatibility or Redis modules should note its stated limits.

Verdict

Garnet combines broad data APIs with storage, recovery, and multi-node capabilities for self-managed deployments. Check its Redis compatibility limits and preview features against your requirements.

Where Specifiction places it

Alternatives to GarnetAll alternatives →