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DuckDB

Free, open-source analytical SQL database that runs in-process, from laptops to large servers.

Open sourceSelf-hostableData warehouses and analytics databases

Updated · AppBreakup editorial · Windows, macOS, Linux, Web

Visit DuckDBSee 5 alternatives

Is DuckDB free?

Yes, free and open source

License:
MIT

Checked on DuckDB's site Nov 1, 2026

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About DuckDB

DuckDB is an analytical SQL database built to run inside other programs, the way SQLite does for transactional work, rather than as a separate server. You can use it from a command-line shell or from Python, R, Java, Node.js, Go, Rust and other languages, and it queries CSV, JSON, Parquet and Iceberg files directly, either on disk or in object storage such as S3. Its SQL dialect is close to PostgreSQL with extra shortcuts that make ad-hoc analysis quicker to write. Data analysts and engineers use it for local analytics, notebook work, data pipelines and as an engine inside other tools, often instead of loading data into a cloud warehouse. DuckDB is free under the MIT licence and governed by the non-profit DuckDB Foundation; a separate company, MotherDuck, sells a hosted service built on it. It is not designed for many concurrent writers or as the main database behind a busy web app.

Best for: Analysts and data engineers who want fast SQL over local or cloud files without running a database server.

Pros and cons

What works

  • Runs in-process with no server to install or manage
  • Queries CSV, JSON, Parquet and Iceberg files directly
  • Clients for Python, R, Java, Node.js, Go, Rust and more
  • MIT licence, governed by an independent foundation

Why people leave

  • Not built for many concurrent writers or high-volume transactional apps
  • Single-machine engine; scaling beyond one host needs other tools or a hosted service
  • No built-in GUI; you need a client tool or notebook for visual work

DuckDB vs ClickHouse, Google BigQuery and Snowflake

From each app's listing and the prices verified on its own site. A dash means we haven't verified it yet.

AttributeDuckDBClickHouseGoogle BigQuerySnowflake
PricingOpen sourceOpen sourceFree plan + paidPaid
Verified price—30 days with $300 credits$6.25 per TiB scanned (on-demand)—
Free planFree appFree appYesNo
Open sourceYesNoNoNo
Self-hostableYesNoNoNo
PlatformsWindows, macOS, Linux, WebWeb, Linux, macOS, Self-hostedWebWeb

Full DuckDB vs Google BigQuery comparisonFull DuckDB vs Snowflake comparison

Top DuckDB alternatives

See all 5
  1. 1ClickHouse logo
    ClickHouse

    An open-source columnar database that runs as a server, better for many users and very large datasets.

    83.8
  2. 2Google BigQuery logo
    Google BigQuery

    A serverless cloud warehouse for data too big or shared too widely for one machine.

    76.8
  3. 3Snowflake logo
    Snowflake

    A managed cloud warehouse for teams that need shared, governed analytics at scale.

    59.4
  4. 4PostgreSQL logo
    PostgreSQL

    A general-purpose database for both app data and analytics, with a SQL dialect DuckDB borrows from.

    54.4
  5. 5MotherDuck logo
    MotherDuck

    Adds cloud storage, sharing and managed compute while keeping the same DuckDB SQL.

    42.3

Why people left DuckDB

In reviewers' own words, from reviews of the apps they moved to. These are their opinions, not ours.

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Reviews

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DuckDB: common questions

What is DuckDB?

DuckDB: Free, open-source analytical SQL database that runs in-process, from laptops to large servers. Best for analysts and data engineers who want fast SQL over local or cloud files without running a database server. Available for Windows, macOS, Linux and Web.

Is DuckDB free?

Yes. DuckDB is free, open-source software that you can host yourself.

Is DuckDB open source?

Yes. The source code is on GitHub at duckdb/duckdb. You can also run it on your own server.

What platforms does DuckDB run on?

DuckDB is available for Windows, macOS, Linux and Web.

What are the best alternatives to DuckDB?

The highest-ranked DuckDB alternatives right now are ClickHouse, Google BigQuery and Snowflake. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.

DuckDB vs ClickHouse: what's the difference?

Both DuckDB and ClickHouse are free and open source. DuckDB is open source and ClickHouse is not. Only DuckDB runs on Windows.

See all 5 DuckDB alternatives