Amazon DynamoDB Cost Optimization
DynamoDB costs are driven by capacity mode choices. Provisioned capacity tables with high read/write capacity units that are rarely fully utilized are a common waste pattern. Tables set to provisioned mode during launch that would be cheaper on on-demand mode, and vice versa. Global tables also multiply costs across regions.
Common DynamoDB cost waste patterns
Over-provisioned capacity
Tables in provisioned mode with WCU/RCU set far above actual consumption. Auto-scaling helps but has minimums and does not scale to zero.
Wrong capacity mode
Tables on provisioned mode that have bursty, unpredictable traffic patterns (better suited to on-demand), or on-demand tables with steady traffic (cheaper with provisioned).
Unused Global Secondary Indexes
GSIs that were created for features that no longer exist or queries that were refactored. Each GSI consumes its own read/write capacity.
How to reduce your DynamoDB costs
Switch to the right capacity mode
Save 20-40% easyFor tables with steady, predictable traffic, provisioned mode with auto-scaling is typically cheaper. For bursty or unpredictable traffic, on-demand mode eliminates over-provisioning.
Right-size provisioned capacity
Save 20-50% mediumReview ConsumedReadCapacityUnits and ConsumedWriteCapacityUnits in CloudWatch. Reduce provisioned capacity to match actual peak usage with auto-scaling configured.
Delete unused Global Secondary Indexes
Save 10-30% easyAudit GSIs by checking if any application still queries them. Unused GSIs consume capacity proportional to the items they index.
Enable TTL for expiring data
Save 10-30% easyUse DynamoDB TTL to automatically delete expired items instead of paying to store them indefinitely. TTL deletes are free.
How ZapStack finds DynamoDB waste
ZapStack automatically scans your AWS environment and surfaces DynamoDB cost savings you can action immediately.
- Detects over-provisioned tables with low utilization
- Recommends capacity mode switches based on traffic patterns
- Identifies unused Global Secondary Indexes
- Flags tables without TTL on time-series data
- Calculates per-table savings potential
Frequently asked questions about DynamoDB costs
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