cacheout
A caching library for Python
Decision gist · record as of 2026-08-14
Yes, if you need a lightweight, dependency-free in-memory cache with multiple eviction strategies and TTL support for a single-process application. The dormant maintenance status (last release 900+ days ago) is acceptable for a stable caching library with no active security vulnerabilities, but monitor the repository if you require ongoing feature development or rapid bug fixes. Not suitable if you need distributed caching or Redis-like persistence.AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page — verify before relying
Before you install
- Requires Python >= 3.7
- Low install friction with no runtime dependencies.
- Maintenance is dormant—last release was 2023-12-22, over 900 days ago—but the repository remains active and the package supports current Python versions (3.7–3.12).
License · maintenance · safety
MIT License (permissive) — MIT License (permissive) allows commercial and private use with minimal restrictions; you may use, modify, and distribute freely provided you include the license notice.
last release 2023-12-22 (966 days) · last repo commit 2023-12-22 · 435 stars
0 known vulnerabilities (OSV.dev, 2026-08-14) · 896,353 downloads/mo, #4,787 on PyPI
Alternatives
Verify before relying
pip install cacheout
from cacheout import Cache
cache = Cache(maxsize=256, ttl=0)
cache.set('key', 'value')
assert cache.get('key') == 'value'- Performance characteristics (throughput, latency) compared to alternatives under typical workloads
- Thread-safety guarantees under high concurrency or with custom eviction strategies
- Memory overhead per cached entry relative to raw dictionary storage
What it is and what it does
Cacheout is a pure-Python in-memory caching library that stores key-value pairs with configurable eviction policies and optional time-based expiration. It offers six eviction strategies (FIFO, LIFO, LRU, MRU, LFU, RR) and supports TTL per entry or globally, with a maximum cache size enforced by the chosen policy. The library is thread-safe and provides bulk operations, filtering by string/regex/function, and event callbacks for cache lifecycle events.
It is typically used to reduce computation or I/O by caching function results via the memoization decorator, managing multiple independent caches through CacheManager, or as a simple session or data store within a single process. The package has no external runtime dependencies, making it lightweight to add to existing projects. Maintenance is dormant but the codebase is stable; the last release added callback hooks and statistics tracking.
Use it for
- Memoize expensive function calls to avoid recomputation within a single process or application session
- Implement a simple session store or temporary data cache with automatic expiration via TTL
- Manage multiple independent caches (e.g., for different data types or modules) using CacheManager
- Cache API responses or database query results with LRU eviction to bound memory usage
- Track cache hit/miss statistics and performance metrics using built-in stats tracking
Worth the install?
AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page. Verify before relying on it.
Yes, if you need a lightweight, dependency-free in-memory cache with multiple eviction strategies and TTL support for a single-process application.
The dormant maintenance status (last release 900+ days ago) is acceptable for a stable caching library with no active security vulnerabilities, but monitor the repository if you require ongoing feature development or rapid bug fixes. Not suitable if you need distributed caching or Redis-like persistence.
Install
cacheout on PyPI
Before you install
Low install friction with no runtime dependencies. Maintenance is dormant—last release was 2023-12-22, over 900 days ago—but the repository remains active and the package supports current Python versions (3.7–3.12).
Requires Python >= 3.7
License in practice
MIT License (permissive) allows commercial and private use with minimal restrictions; you may use, modify, and distribute freely provided you include the license notice.
Quickstart
pip install cacheout
from cacheout import Cache
cache = Cache(maxsize=256, ttl=0)
cache.set('key', 'value')
assert cache.get('key') == 'value'Verify before relying
- Performance characteristics (throughput, latency) compared to alternatives under typical workloads
- Thread-safety guarantees under high concurrency or with custom eviction strategies
- Memory overhead per cached entry relative to raw dictionary storage
Package facts
| License | MIT License permissive |
| Python support | Supports the current Python release >=3.7 |
| Install friction | Low. Pure-Python wheel |
| Runtime dependencies | None |
| Maintenance | Dormant 966 days since the last release |
| Last repo commit | |
| First released | |
| Downloads | 896,353 / month, #4,787 on PyPI 30-day window, as of 2026-08-14 |
| Known vulnerabilities | None known OSV.dev, checked 2026-08-14 |
| Classifiers | Development Status :: 4 - BetaIntended Audience :: DevelopersLicense :: OSI Approved :: MIT LicenseOperating System :: OS IndependentProgramming Language :: PythonProgramming Language :: Python :: 3Programming Language :: Python :: 3.10Programming Language :: Python :: 3.11Programming Language :: Python :: 3.12Programming Language :: Python :: 3.7Programming Language :: Python :: 3.8Programming Language :: Python :: 3.9Topic :: DatabaseTopic :: Software Development :: LibrariesTopic :: Software Development :: Libraries :: Python ModulesTopic :: Utilities |
Evidence: cacheout-0.16.0-py3-none-any.whl
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See also cachebox · memoization · theine · onecache · cachey · cachetools · py-memoize · lru-dict · async-cache · asyncache