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Databases · head to head

Apache Doris vs DataGrip

Apache Doris logo

Apache Doris

Databases

MPP analytical database with a MySQL wire protocol and sub-second aggregation on wide tables

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
DataGrip logo

DataGrip

Databases

Cross-platform database IDE from JetBrains for SQL and NoSQL databases

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Apache Doris two competing commercial vendors, VeloDB and SelectDB, were founded by overlapping core contributors, which makes the long-term governance and roadmap of the project harder to predict than a single-sponsor project.; DataGrip commercial use requires a paid subscription; the free tier is non-commercial only.
  • They diverge on capability: Apache Doris covers MySQL wire protocol, DataGrip covers Intelligent SQL Completion.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 31 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Apache Doris and DataGrip actually diverge.

Attributes where Apache Doris and DataGrip differ
AttributeApache DorisDataGrip
Pricing modelOpen source, no licence feesubscription
PlatformsLinux, Docker, Kuberneteswindows, mac, linux
FoundedUnknown2000

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Databases).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Apache Doris

  • MySQL wire protocol
  • Aggregate and unique key models
  • Materialised views
  • Multi-catalogue federation
  • Routine load from Kafka
  • Compute storage separation
  • Inverted indexes
  • Workload groups

Only in DataGrip

  • Intelligent SQL Completion
  • Schema Navigation
  • Data Editor
  • Version Control for Scripts
  • Multi-database Support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Apache Doris

  • A team whose MySQL read replica can no longer serve reporting queries and wants an OLAP engine its existing drivers already speaknot DataGrip
  • A real-time dashboard backend needing sub-second aggregation over billions of rows with hundreds of concurrent usersnot DataGrip
  • An ad or ecommerce platform that needs updates and deletes on analytical tables, which append-only OLAP engines handle badlynot DataGrip
  • A data team that wants one SQL endpoint over both internal tables and existing Hive or Iceberg tables in the lakenot DataGrip

DataGrip

  • Writing and running SQL queries across multiple database enginesnot Apache Doris
  • Browsing and editing schema and table data visuallynot Apache Doris
  • Version-controlling database migration scriptsnot Apache Doris
  • Standardizing database tooling across a JetBrains-based teamnot Apache Doris

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Apache Doris

  • Two competing commercial vendors, VeloDB and SelectDB, were founded by overlapping core contributors, which makes the long-term governance and roadmap of the project harder to predict than a single-sponsor project.
  • A large share of design discussion, issue reports and documentation detail originates in Chinese, so teams that do not read it get a thinner picture of known problems and workarounds.
  • Operating a cluster means managing frontend and backend node roles, tablet balancing and compaction tuning, and compaction backlogs under heavy upsert load are a recurring production complaint.
  • The MySQL protocol compatibility is at the wire level, not full MySQL semantics, so queries and functions still need porting and the familiarity can mislead.
  • Managed cloud availability outside China and major clouds is limited compared with ClickHouse or Snowflake, so many Western adopters end up self-hosting whether they wanted to or not.

DataGrip

  • Commercial use requires a paid subscription; the free tier is non-commercial only.
  • No built-in database administration features like backup scheduling found in dedicated DBA tools.
  • Heavier resource footprint than lightweight single-purpose SQL clients.
  • NoSQL support (e.g. MongoDB) is less mature than its relational database tooling.

Pricing, plan by plan

Apache Doris

Free
  • Apache DorisFree
    • Apache 2.0 licence with no usage restrictions
    • All engine features included
    • Community support via mailing list and Slack

DataGrip

Free
  • Free (non-commercial)Free
    • Personal, non-commercial use only
  • Individual - Year 1$99/year
    • Full DataGrip license
    • Free updates during subscription
  • Individual - Year 2+$79/year
    • Continuity discount from second year onward

Which should you pick?

Choose Apache Doris if

  • You need mysql wire protocol.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, Docker, Kubernetes.
  • You also want aggregate and unique key models.
Apache Doris review

Choose DataGrip if

  • You need intelligent sql completion.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on windows, mac, linux.
  • You also want schema navigation.
DataGrip review

Questions people ask

Is Apache Doris or DataGrip better?
Neither clearly leads. Apache Doris starts at Free and DataGrip at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Apache Doris or DataGrip?
Apache Doris starts at Free and DataGrip at Free.
Does Apache Doris or DataGrip run on more platforms?
Apache Doris runs on Linux, Docker, Kubernetes. DataGrip runs on windows, mac, linux.
Can I use Apache Doris for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Apache Doris best used for?
Apache Doris is most often used for a team whose mysql read replica can no longer serve reporting queries and wants an olap engine its existing drivers already speak, a real-time dashboard backend needing sub-second aggregation over billions of rows with hundreds of concurrent users, an ad or ecommerce platform that needs updates and deletes on analytical tables, which append-only olap engines handle badly, a data team that wants one sql endpoint over both internal tables and existing hive or iceberg tables in the lake. Of those, a team whose mysql read replica can no longer serve reporting queries and wants an olap engine its existing drivers already speak and a real-time dashboard backend needing sub-second aggregation over billions of rows with hundreds of concurrent users are not what DataGrip is typically brought in for.
What can Apache Doris do that DataGrip cannot?
Apache Doris covers MySQL wire protocol, Aggregate and unique key models, Materialised views, Multi-catalogue federation. DataGrip covers Intelligent SQL Completion, Schema Navigation, Data Editor, Version Control for Scripts.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Apache Doris: Is Apache Doris really free?

Yes, it is Apache 2.0 with no usage restrictions. The commercial products are managed services from VeloDB and SelectDB.

DataGrip: Is DataGrip free for personal use?

JetBrains introduced a free non-commercial license for DataGrip in October 2025, allowing personal use, while commercial use still requires a paid annual or monthly subscription.

Source
Apache Doris: Can I use my MySQL tools with it?

Yes, it implements the MySQL wire protocol, so clients and BI connectors attach without a new driver, though SQL semantics differ.

DataGrip: Who qualifies for the free non-commercial license?

Only individuals are eligible, for uses like learning, open-source work, or content creation. Anyone paid by an employer, including at a non-profit, must use a commercial license instead.

Source
Apache Doris: How does it compare with ClickHouse?

Doris handles updates and high concurrency more comfortably; ClickHouse is generally faster on raw single-query scan throughput and has far wider Western support.

DataGrip: How long does the free non-commercial license last?

It lasts one year and auto-renews if DataGrip was used at least once in the final six months; otherwise you can simply reapply for a new license.

Source
Apache Doris: Who maintains it?

The Apache Software Foundation project, with most committers employed by VeloDB or SelectDB.

DataGrip: Does the free license have fewer features than the paid version?

No, it is a full-featured IDE identical to the paid version, though it requires anonymized telemetry sharing that cannot be opted out of under the non-commercial agreement.

Source
DataGrip: Can I use DataGrip offline with the free license?

No, activation requires logging into a JetBrains Account; offline activation codes are not available for the free non-commercial license.

Source
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