Scaling Redis without Clustering

Redis Cluster is a distributed implementation that allows for horizontal scaling by sharding data across multiple primary instances. However, transitioning to Redis Cluster can introduce significant complexities, such as the need for cluster-specific client libraries and limitations on multi-key operations. Additionally, Redis Cluster increases infrastructure complexity and operational costs. Alternatives to Redis Cluster include application-level optimization, memory-bounded workloads, data tiering to SSD/Flash, and modern Redis implementations like Dragonfly, which can provide full compatibility with Redis APIs while scaling vertically on a single node.