When ScyllaDB is Overkill vs. DynamoDB

The blog post explores the scenarios in which ScyllaDB might be an overkill compared to DynamoDB, particularly emphasizing the cost and technical considerations. ScyllaDB is designed for teams requiring predictable ultra-low latency and high throughput, but it may not always be the cost-effective choice, especially if the workload is under 10,000 operations per second (OPS) or if the data is infrequently accessed. The piece highlights that while both databases offer high performance and availability, ScyllaDB's architecture supports massive parallel processing, making it suitable for throughput-heavy workloads. However, DynamoDB might be preferable for simpler requirements or those heavily integrated into the AWS ecosystem due to its feature set and ease of use. The article suggests that migration from DynamoDB to ScyllaDB could be beneficial when better latency or deployment flexibility is needed, but significant refactoring may be required, particularly for AWS-dependent applications. A cost estimation calculator is provided to help determine the financial feasibility of switching to ScyllaDB, with caution about the differences in storage utilization and compression.