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QuestDB

Open-source time-series database with SQL queries, built for fast ingestion of market and sensor data.

Open sourceSelf-hostableDatabase management systems

Updated · AppBreakup editorial · Self-hosted, Linux, macOS, Windows

Visit QuestDBSee 5 alternatives

Is QuestDB free?

Yes, free and open source

License:
Apache 2.0

Checked on QuestDB's site Nov 6, 2026

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About QuestDB

QuestDB is an open-source time-series database aimed at workloads that write large volumes of timestamped rows, such as financial market data, sensor readings and application metrics. It is queried with SQL extended with time-series functions like sampling by interval and joining on nearest timestamp, and it speaks the Postgres wire protocol, so existing Postgres drivers, Grafana and tools such as pandas and Polars can connect to it. Data can arrive through its own line protocol, Kafka, Telegraf, Flink or Python clients. The open-source edition is released under the Apache 2.0 licence and runs on Linux, macOS and Windows, in Docker or Kubernetes. A paid Enterprise edition adds replication and high availability, role-based access control with TLS, SSO and automatic tiering of older data to Parquet files on object storage, with vendor support. It suits engineering teams who want SQL rather than a custom query language for time-series data.

Best for: Teams storing high-volume timestamped data who want to query it in plain SQL.

QuestDB pricing (checked Nov 8, 2026)

Each line is quoted from QuestDB's own site, with the page it came from.

Plan or termWhat it saysCheckedSource
Enterprise trialYesNov 8, 2026questdb.com

Pros and cons

What works

  • Apache 2.0 licence for the full single-node engine
  • Standard SQL with time-series extensions instead of a custom query language
  • Postgres wire protocol lets Grafana and Postgres drivers connect directly
  • Takes InfluxDB-style line protocol, Kafka and Telegraf for ingestion

Why people leave

  • Replication, high availability and access control need the paid Enterprise edition
  • The open-source edition only has basic auth without encryption in transit
  • Smaller ecosystem and fewer hosted options than InfluxDB or TimescaleDB

QuestDB vs InfluxDB, ClickHouse and Tiger Data

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

AttributeQuestDBInfluxDBClickHouseTiger Data
PricingOpen sourceOpen sourceOpen sourcePaid
Verified price——30 days with $300 creditsCompute from $30/month (Performance)
Free planFree appFree appFree appNo
Open sourceYesYesNoYes
Self-hostableYesYesNoYes
PlatformsSelf-hosted, Linux, macOS, WindowsLinux, macOS, Self-hosted, WebWeb, Linux, macOS, Self-hostedWeb, Self-hosted

Top QuestDB alternatives

See all 5
  1. 1InfluxDB logo
    InfluxDB

    The best-known time-series database, with a managed cloud and a large Telegraf plugin ecosystem.

    68.8
  2. 2ClickHouse logo
    ClickHouse

    Open-source columnar database that handles time-series plus general analytics at very large scale.

    67.6
  3. 3Tiger Data logo
    Tiger Data

    TimescaleDB runs inside full PostgreSQL, so time-series tables sit next to your relational data.

    54.4
  4. 4Prometheus logo
    Prometheus

    Better fit when the data is infrastructure metrics scraped from services and paired with alerting.

    51.2
  5. 5VictoriaMetrics logo
    VictoriaMetrics

    Lightweight, Prometheus-compatible metrics store with free clustering in its open-source version.

    50.0

Why people left QuestDB

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

No switching stories yet. If you moved away from QuestDB, review the app you switched to and tell us why.

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QuestDB: common questions

What is QuestDB?

QuestDB: Open-source time-series database with SQL queries, built for fast ingestion of market and sensor data. Best for teams storing high-volume timestamped data who want to query it in plain SQL. Available for Linux, macOS and Windows, and you can host it yourself.

Is QuestDB free?

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

How much does QuestDB cost?

QuestDB is free and open source. Enterprise trial: Yes. Checked on QuestDB's own site, November 2026.

Does QuestDB have a free trial or refund?

Enterprise trial: Yes. Source: QuestDB's own site.

Is QuestDB open source?

Yes. You can also run it on your own server.

What platforms does QuestDB run on?

QuestDB is available for Self-hosted, Linux, macOS and Windows.

What are the best alternatives to QuestDB?

The highest-ranked QuestDB alternatives right now are InfluxDB, ClickHouse and Tiger Data. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.

QuestDB vs InfluxDB: what's the difference?

Both QuestDB and InfluxDB are free and open source. Only QuestDB runs on Windows. Only InfluxDB runs on Web.

See all 5 QuestDB alternatives