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Databases · head to head

Apache Druid vs SurrealDB

Apache Druid logo

Apache Druid

Databases

Real-time analytics database for sub-second OLAP queries

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
SurrealDB logo

SurrealDB

Databases

Multi-model database combining documents, graphs, vectors and time-series

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; SurrealDB the listed $0.192/node/hr Scale pricing lacks transparent higher-tier rates, requiring a sales conversation for full production sizing.
  • They diverge on capability: Apache Druid covers Real-time Ingestion, SurrealDB covers Multi-model engine.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Apache Druid and SurrealDB differ
AttributeApache DruidSurrealDB
Pricing modelopen-sourceusage-based
PlatformsDocker, Kubernetes, Native deployment (Java-based)web, api, windows, mac, linux
Founded19992022

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 SurrealDB

  • Multi-model engine
  • ACID transactions
  • Hybrid retrieval
  • Horizontal scaling
  • Multi-region disaster recovery
  • FIPS-compliant cryptography

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

SurrealDB

  • AI agent memory and retrieval-augmented generationnot Apache Druid
  • Applications needing documents, graphs and vectors in one databasenot Apache Druid
  • Knowledge graph construction from unstructured datanot Apache Druid
  • Regulated workloads requiring SOC2/ISO27001/HIPAA-eligible hostingnot 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

SurrealDB

  • The listed $0.192/node/hr Scale pricing lacks transparent higher-tier rates, requiring a sales conversation for full production sizing.
  • As a newer multi-model database, it has a smaller ecosystem of drivers, ORMs and community tooling than established single-model databases.
  • HIPAA compliance is only available as an Enterprise add-on rather than included in standard paid tiers.
  • Combining multiple data models in one engine can add query-planning complexity compared to purpose-built single-model databases.

Pricing, plan by plan

Apache Druid

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Apache Druid review.

SurrealDB

Free
  • StartFree
    • 1 free instance, then from $0.021/hr
    • 1GB storage free forever
    • Vertical scaling to terabytes
  • Scale$0.192/month
    • $0.192/node/hr
    • Production-grade fault tolerance
    • Horizontal scaling to petabytes
  • Enterprise$undefined/month
    • Self-hosted, custom pricing
    • Clustered fault-tolerant deployments
    • FIPS-compliant cryptography

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 SurrealDB if

  • You need multi-model engine.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on web, api, windows, mac, linux.
  • You also want acid transactions.
SurrealDB review

Questions people ask

Is Apache Druid or SurrealDB better?
Neither clearly leads. Apache Druid starts at Free and SurrealDB at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Apache Druid or SurrealDB?
Apache Druid starts at Free and SurrealDB at Free.
Does Apache Druid or SurrealDB run on more platforms?
Apache Druid runs on Docker, Kubernetes, Native deployment (Java-based). SurrealDB runs on web, api, windows, mac, linux.
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 SurrealDB is typically brought in for.
What can Apache Druid do that SurrealDB cannot?
Apache Druid covers Real-time Ingestion, Sub-second Queries, Column-oriented Storage, Streaming Integration. SurrealDB covers Multi-model engine, ACID transactions, Hybrid retrieval, Horizontal scaling.

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
SurrealDB: What does SurrealDB cost?

SurrealDB Cloud's Start plan is free with one free instance (then from $0.021/hr), the Scale plan runs $0.192/node/hr for production workloads, and Enterprise self-hosted deployments use custom pricing.

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
SurrealDB: Is there a free plan and what are its limits?

Yes, the Start plan includes one free instance with 1GB of storage free forever and 1GB of outbound data transfer per month, aimed at prototypes and development.

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
SurrealDB: How is billing handled?

Customers are invoiced monthly based on actual usage in a pay-as-you-go model with no long-term commitments, though commitment-based discounts are available.

Source
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