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Databases · head to head

Apache Druid vs Apache Solr

Apache Druid logo

Apache Druid

Databases

Real-time analytics database for sub-second OLAP queries

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Apache Solr logo

Apache Solr

Databases

Enterprise search platform built on Apache Lucene

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Apache Druid open-source offering lacks high-availability, distributed architecture, and enterprise security features; Apache Solr xML-heavy configuration and a developer experience that feels dated beside newer engines
  • They diverge on capability: Apache Druid covers Real-time Ingestion, Apache Solr covers Lucene-based indexing.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Apache Druid and Apache Solr actually diverge.

Attributes where Apache Druid and Apache Solr differ
AttributeApache DruidApache Solr
Pricing modelopen-sourceOpen source, no licence fee
PlatformsDocker, Kubernetes, Native deployment (Java-based)Linux, Docker, Kubernetes, Self-hosted
Founded1999Unknown

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 Druid

  • Real-time Ingestion
  • Sub-second Queries
  • Column-oriented Storage
  • Streaming Integration
  • Approximate Algorithms
  • Flexible Schemas
  • Time-based Partitioning
  • Kafka

Only in Apache Solr

  • Lucene-based indexing
  • Faceted search
  • SolrCloud
  • Schema control

What people use each for

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

Apache Druid

  • Real-time analytics platforms ingesting millions of events per second from streaming sourcesnot Apache Solr
  • Applications requiring sub-second queries over high-cardinality datasets (billions to trillions of rows)not Apache Solr
  • Time-series and event analysis at massive scale with columnar storage efficiencynot Apache Solr

Apache Solr

  • Library, archive and catalogue search where faceting is centralnot Apache Druid
  • Long-lived enterprise deployments valuing stability over noveltynot Apache Druid
  • Search requiring precise, explicitly configured relevance tuningnot Apache Druid

Where each one falls short

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

Apache Druid

  • Open-source offering lacks high-availability, distributed architecture, and enterprise security features
  • Requires native integration with Apache Kafka or Amazon Kinesis for real-time ingestion; custom integrations need development
  • High-concurrency query support (hundreds of thousands QPS) requires significant cluster infrastructure investment

Apache Solr

  • XML-heavy configuration and a developer experience that feels dated beside newer engines
  • SolrCloud depends on ZooKeeper, adding a component Elasticsearch removed years ago
  • Smaller mindshare now, so newer tutorials, hiring and integrations favour Elasticsearch
  • Considerably heavier than a purpose-built application search engine

Pricing, plan by plan

Apache Druid

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Apache Druid review.

Apache Solr

Free
  • Apache SolrFree
    • Full functionality
    • No usage limits
    • Community support

Which should you pick?

Choose Apache Druid if

  • You need real-time ingestion.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Docker, Kubernetes, Native deployment (Java-based).
  • You also want sub-second queries.
Apache Druid review

Choose Apache Solr if

  • You need lucene-based indexing.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, Docker, Kubernetes, Self-hosted.
  • You also want faceted search.
Apache Solr review

Questions people ask

Is Apache Druid or Apache Solr better?
Neither clearly leads. Apache Druid starts at Free and Apache Solr at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Apache Druid or Apache Solr?
Apache Druid starts at Free and Apache Solr at Free.
Does Apache Druid or Apache Solr run on more platforms?
Apache Druid runs on Docker, Kubernetes, Native deployment (Java-based). Apache Solr runs on Linux, Docker, Kubernetes, Self-hosted.
Can I use Apache Druid for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Apache Druid best used for?
Apache Druid is most often used for real-time analytics platforms ingesting millions of events per second from streaming sources, applications requiring sub-second queries over high-cardinality datasets (billions to trillions of rows), time-series and event analysis at massive scale with columnar storage efficiency. Of those, real-time analytics platforms ingesting millions of events per second from streaming sources and applications requiring sub-second queries over high-cardinality datasets (billions to trillions of rows) are not what Apache Solr is typically brought in for.
What can Apache Druid do that Apache Solr cannot?
Apache Druid covers Real-time Ingestion, Sub-second Queries, Column-oriented Storage, Streaming Integration. Apache Solr covers Lucene-based indexing, Faceted search, SolrCloud, Schema control.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Apache Druid: Is Apache Druid free to use?

Apache Druid is an open-source project with no licensing fees. It is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0, and the Druid name and logo are trademarks of The Apache Software Foundation.

Source
Apache Solr: Is Apache Solr free?

Yes, open source under the Apache Software Foundation.

Apache Druid: Can I use Apache Druid for commercial purposes?

Yes, Apache Druid is open-source software available for commercial use at no cost. The CC BY-SA 4.0 license permits commercial deployment.

Source
Apache Solr: Solr or Elasticsearch?

Both are built on Lucene. Elasticsearch has the larger ecosystem and a friendlier API; Solr is very mature and strong on faceted search, and remains common in library and catalogue systems.

Apache Druid: Where do I find pricing for commercial support or services?

No pricing or support tiers are published on the Apache Druid homepage. For commercial support options, contact the Apache Druid community or consult additional resources beyond the project website.

Source
Apache Solr: Is Solr still maintained?

Yes, actively, as a top-level Apache project.

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