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Databases · head to head

Apache Druid vs Hasura

Apache Druid logo

Apache Druid

Databases

Real-time analytics database for sub-second OLAP queries

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Hasura logo

Hasura

APIs

GraphQL engine that instantly creates production-ready GraphQL API from databases

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; Hasura active model definition: model/command accessed more than 1,000 times monthly
  • They diverge on capability: Apache Druid covers Real-time Ingestion, Hasura covers GraphQL API.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Apache Druid and Hasura differ
AttributeApache DruidHasura
Pricing modelopen-sourcefreemium
PlatformsDocker, Kubernetes, Native deployment (Java-based)Web
CategoryDatabasesAPIs
Founded19992017

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

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 Hasura

  • GraphQL API
  • Real-time subscriptions
  • Access control
  • PostgreSQL
  • MySQL
  • Webhooks
  • REST APIs
  • Cloud support

Both cover

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

Hasura

  • Automatic GraphQL API generation from existing databasesnot Apache Druid
  • Real-time data subscriptions for modern applicationsnot Apache Druid
  • Backend infrastructure for web and mobile applicationsnot Apache Druid
  • Event-triggered webhooks for database changesnot 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

Hasura

  • Active model definition: model/command accessed more than 1,000 times monthly
  • Private DDN requires Base or Advanced plan

Pricing, plan by plan

Apache Druid

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Apache Druid review.

Hasura

Free
  • DDN FreeFree
    • Unlimited models
    • 1 supergraph developer
    • 15-minute observability retention
  • DDN Base$5/month
    • Per active model billing
    • Unlimited developers
    • 30-day observability retention
  • DDN Advanced$30/month
    • Per active model billing
    • Federated collaboration
    • Multi-repo CI/CD

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 Hasura if

  • You need graphql api.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want real-time subscriptions.
Hasura review

Questions people ask

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

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
Hasura: How much does Hasura cost?

Hasura DDN Free is free. DDN Base starts at $5/active model/month, and DDN Advanced starts at $30/active model/month.

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
Hasura: What is an active model in Hasura pricing?

An active model is defined as any model or command accessed more than 1,000 times monthly.

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
Hasura: Is there a free version of Hasura?

Yes, Hasura DDN Free is always free and includes unlimited models, 1 supergraph developer, and 15-minute observability retention.

Source
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