A method of adapting a first key-value store to a second key-value store may include determining a conversion strategy based on one or more characteristics of the first key-value store and one or more characteristics of the second key-value store, converting the second key-value store to a converted key-value store based on the conversion strategy, and mapping the first key-value store to the converted key-value store based on a mapping function. The converted key-value store may be accessed on-the-fly. A data storage system may include a key-value interface configured to provide access to a lower key-value store, and a key-value adapter coupled to the key-value interface and configured to adapt an upper key-value store to the lower key-value store, wherein the key-value adapter may be configured to adapt at least two different types of the upper key-value store to the lower key-value store.