Softwr

Software · head to head

Apache Druid vs Dgraph

Apache Druid logo

Apache Druid

Software

Real-time analytics database for sub-second OLAP queries

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Dgraph logo

Dgraph

Software

The only native GraphQL database with graph backend

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; Dgraph the GitHub repository (dgraph-io/dgraph) is licensed Apache 2.0 with no paid tier, cloud offering, or enterprise edition mentioned anywhere in the README
  • They diverge on capability: Apache Druid covers Real-time Ingestion, Dgraph covers Native GraphQL.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Apache Druid and Dgraph differ
AttributeApache DruidDgraph
Pricing modelopen-sourcefreemium
PlatformsDocker, Kubernetes, Native deployment (Java-based)Linux, Mac, Docker, Web
Founded19992016

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

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 Dgraph

  • Native GraphQL
  • Distributed Architecture
  • ACID Transactions
  • GraphQL Subscriptions
  • Full-text Search
  • Geolocation Queries
  • Horizontal Scaling
  • GraphQL

Both cover

  • Linux support
  • Docker support

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

Dgraph

  • Knowledge graphsnot Apache Druid
  • Fraud detectionnot Apache Druid
  • Recommendation enginesnot Apache Druid
  • Network analysisnot Apache Druid
  • Master data managementnot 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

Dgraph

  • The GitHub repository (dgraph-io/dgraph) is licensed Apache 2.0 with no paid tier, cloud offering, or enterprise edition mentioned anywhere in the README

Pricing, plan by plan

Apache Druid

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Apache Druid review.

Dgraph

Free
  • CommunityFree
    • Native GraphQL
    • Graph queries
    • Full-text search
  • Cloud$39/month
    • Managed service
    • Auto-scaling
    • Enterprise 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 Dgraph if

  • You need native graphql.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, Mac, Docker, Web.
  • You also want distributed architecture.
Dgraph review

Questions people ask

Is Apache Druid or Dgraph better?
Neither clearly leads. Apache Druid starts at Free and Dgraph at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Apache Druid or Dgraph?
Apache Druid starts at Free and Dgraph at Free.
Does Apache Druid or Dgraph run on more platforms?
Apache Druid runs on Docker, Kubernetes, Native deployment (Java-based). Dgraph runs on Linux, Mac, Docker, Web.
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 Dgraph is typically brought in for.
What can Apache Druid do that Dgraph cannot?
Apache Druid covers Real-time Ingestion, Sub-second Queries, Column-oriented Storage, Streaming Integration. Dgraph covers Native GraphQL, Distributed Architecture, ACID Transactions, GraphQL Subscriptions. Both handle Linux support, Docker support.
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on Apache Druid

More on Dgraph

Keep looking

Other head to heads