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Databases · head to head

Apache Druid vs Depot

Apache Druid logo

Apache Druid

Databases

Real-time analytics database for sub-second OLAP queries

From
Free
Free plan
Yes
Visit Apache DruidFull review
Depot logo

Depot

Developer Tools

Cloud-based builds and CI runs 55x faster with less cost

From
Free
Free plan
Yes
Visit DepotFull review

The short version

  • Apache Druid is a high performance, real-time analytics database; Depot is a cloud-based CI/CD platform.
  • Apache Druid is free; Depot starts at $20/mo.
  • Only Apache Druid lists real-time Ingestion; only Depot lists Depot CI.
  • Where Apache Druid falls short: open-source offering lacks high-availability, distributed architecture, and enterprise security features.
  • Where Depot falls short: developer plan minute limits may be insufficient for active development.
  • Prices and features on this page were last checked on 13 November 2026.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Apache Druid and Depot differ
AttributeApache DruidDepot
PlatformsSelf-hosted, APIWeb, GitHub, API
CategoryDatabasesDeveloper Tools
Founded19992022

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes).

Not yet recorded: pricing model for Depot.

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 Depot

  • Depot CI
  • Container builds
  • GitHub Actions runners
  • Distributed caching
  • Build API
  • Depot Registry
  • Cross-platform builds
  • SSH debugging

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 Depot
  • Applications requiring sub-second queries over high-cardinality datasets (billions to trillions of rows)not Depot
  • Time-series and event analysis at massive scale with columnar storage efficiencynot Depot

Depot

  • Accelerating Docker builds for container-based developmentnot Apache Druid
  • Replacing GitHub Actions runners with faster infrastructurenot Apache Druid
  • Distributing cache across Monorepo buildsnot Apache Druid
  • Debugging failed CI builds interactively with SSHnot 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

Depot

  • Developer plan minute limits may be insufficient for active development
  • Startup plan at $200/mo is expensive for smaller teams
  • Business plan requires custom pricing consultation
  • macOS M2 runners not available on Developer plan

Pricing, plan by plan

Apache Druid

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Apache Druid review.

Depot

Free
  • Developer$20/mo
    • 1 user
    • 500 Docker build minutes per month
    • 2,000 Depot CI minutes per month
  • Startup$200/mo
    • Unlimited users
    • 5,000 Docker build minutes per month
    • 20,000 Depot CI minutes per month
  • BusinessOn request
    • Custom pricing
    • Unlimited users
    • Custom monthly compute

Which should you pick?

Choose Apache Druid if

  • You need real-time ingestion.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Self-hosted, API.
  • You also want sub-second queries.
Apache Druid review

Choose Depot if

  • You need depot ci.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, GitHub, API.
  • You also want container builds.
Depot review

Questions people ask

Is Apache Druid or Depot better?
Neither clearly leads. Apache Druid starts at Free and Depot at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Apache Druid or Depot?
Apache Druid starts at Free and Depot at Free.
Does Apache Druid or Depot run on more platforms?
Apache Druid runs on Self-hosted, API. Depot runs on Web, GitHub, API.
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 Depot is typically brought in for.
What can Apache Druid do that Depot cannot?
Apache Druid covers Real-time Ingestion, Sub-second Queries, Column-oriented Storage, Streaming Integration. Depot covers Depot CI, Container builds, GitHub Actions runners, Distributed caching.

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
Depot: How much faster are Depot runners compared to GitHub Actions?

Depot runners offer 30% faster CPUs and 10x faster networking than standard GitHub-hosted runners, enabling builds to complete significantly faster.

Source
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
Depot: What is included in the Developer plan?

Developer plan ($20/month) includes 500 Docker build minutes, 2,000 Depot CI minutes, 2,000 GitHub Actions minutes, 25 GB storage, unlimited concurrency, and community support.

Source
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
Depot: Can I use Depot with my own AWS account?

Yes, Depot Managed allows deployment within customer AWS accounts. This is available to interested customers; contact sales for details.

Source
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