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Database / REDIS

What is the difference between Redis Cluster and client-side sharding?

Both split data across multiple Redis instances, but they differ in where the sharding logic and cluster awareness actually live.

Redis ClusterClient-Side Sharding
Sharding logic (hash slots, redirection) built into Redis and cluster-aware clients.Sharding logic implemented entirely in application/client code, against plain standalone Redis instances.
Automatic slot rebalancing and MOVED redirection handled by the cluster.Rebalancing across shards must be handled manually by the application.
Built-in replica-based failover per shard.Failover must be implemented separately, e.g. pairing each shard with its own Sentinel setup.
Standardized behavior across any cluster-aware client library.Sharding scheme (e.g. consistent hashing) is whatever the application chooses, requiring custom logic per client language.

Client-side sharding predates Redis Cluster's maturity and still shows up in some existing systems or when the sharding key logic needs to be more custom than Cluster's simple hash-slot model allows, but for new deployments Redis Cluster is generally preferred since it removes the need to hand-build and maintain sharding, rebalancing, and failover logic in application code that Redis itself now handles natively.

Where does the sharding logic live in client-side sharding, as opposed to Redis Cluster?
Why might a team still choose client-side sharding today despite Redis Cluster's maturity?

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