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DynamoDB Local
What it is
DynamoDB Local is a self-hosted tool for developing and testing applications without accessing the DynamoDB web service. It can run without an internet connection, and AWS says local use may help avoid throughput, storage, and data-transfer fees. It is available as a downloadable archive, an Apache Maven dependency, or a Docker image, with documented use alongside the AWS CLI, AWS SDKs, Docker Compose, Maven, and AWS CloudShell. Data can be kept in a local database file or held in memory; memory-only data is lost when the service stops. The downloadable version needs configured credentials, but AWS says they need not be valid AWS credentials for local access. AWS recommends v3.x for local development and testing; v2.x is legacy and v1.x is deprecated. Running v2.6.0 or later requires JRE 17.x or newer. DynamoDB Local collects usage, system, environment, and error information; AWS says it does not collect personal or sensitive project-level information. Telemetry can be disabled. It is intended for development and testing, not production, and does not support point-in-time recovery, tagging, or vector indexes.
For and against
For
- Free download for local development and testing
- Runs without an internet connection
- Available as an archive, Maven dependency, or Docker image
- Can store data in a file or in memory
- Telemetry can be disabled
Against
- Not intended for production use
- V2.6.0 or later requires JRE 17.x or newer
- Does not support point-in-time recovery, tagging, or vector indexes
- Memory-only data is lost when the service stops
The verdict
DynamoDB Local provides a no-cost local setting for developing and testing applications, with several distribution and data-storage options. Its stated feature and behavior differences, along with its development-only purpose, matter when deciding whether it fits a workflow.
Who it suits
It suits developers who want a local environment for application development and testing, including work without an internet connection. It is not intended for production use.
Plans and prices
DynamoDB Local
For local development and testing · Not intended for production
Read 5 Oct 2026 · docs.aws.amazon.com
On the record
- Behavior differences
- DynamoDB Local does not support parallel scans, ignores provisioned throughput settings, and treats table names as case insensitive.docs.aws.amazon.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Cost benefit
- AWS says the local version can help save on throughput, data storage, and data transfer fees, and can be used without an internet connection during development.docs.aws.amazon.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Credentials
- The downloadable version requires configured credentials to work, but AWS says the credentials do not have to be valid AWS credentials for local access.docs.aws.amazon.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Distribution
- DynamoDB Local is available as a downloadable archive, an Apache Maven dependency, or a Docker image.docs.aws.amazon.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Feature limitation
- DynamoDB Local does not support point-in-time recovery, tagging, or vector indexes.docs.aws.amazon.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- AWS documents using DynamoDB Local with the AWS CLI, AWS SDKs, Docker Compose, Maven, and AWS CloudShell.docs.aws.amazon.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Persistence
- DynamoDB Local can store data in a local database file or run in memory, in which case data is not saved when DynamoDB Local stops.docs.aws.amazon.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Production use
- AWS describes the downloadable version as intended for development and testing, while the managed DynamoDB web service is intended for production use.docs.aws.amazon.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- DynamoDB Local lets developers develop and test applications without accessing the DynamoDB web service.docs.aws.amazon.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Runtime
- Running DynamoDB Local v2.6.0 or later on a computer requires JRE version 17.x or newer.docs.aws.amazon.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Telemetry
- DynamoDB Local collects generic usage metrics, system and environment information, and errors; AWS says it does not collect personal information or extract sensitive project-level information.docs.aws.amazon.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Telemetry control
- Telemetry can be disabled with the -disableTelemetry command-line option or through environment settings.docs.aws.amazon.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Version
- AWS identifies v3.x as the current version and recommends it for local testing and development; v2.x is legacy and v1.x is deprecated.docs.aws.amazon.com · read 5 Oct 2026
