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Cloud & Infrastructure · head to head

DuckDB vs Hetzner Cloud

DuckDB logo

DuckDB

Cloud & Infrastructure

Fast in-process analytical database

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Hetzner Cloud logo

Hetzner Cloud

Cloud & Infrastructure

Affordable cloud servers in Europe

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: DuckDB client-server setup remains in beta and not recommended for production distributed scenarios; Hetzner Cloud cost-Optimized plans are shown as currently unavailable
  • They diverge on capability: DuckDB covers In-process Execution, Hetzner Cloud covers Cloud servers.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which DuckDB and Hetzner Cloud actually diverge.

Attributes where DuckDB and Hetzner Cloud differ
AttributeDuckDBHetzner Cloud
Pricing modelopen-sourceusage-based
PlatformsLinux, macOS, Windows, WebAssemblyWeb, Api, Cli
CategoryUnknownCloud & Infrastructure
Founded20191997

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 DuckDB

  • In-process Execution
  • Columnar Storage
  • Vectorized Execution
  • Rich SQL Support
  • Parquet Support
  • CSV/JSON Import
  • Zero Dependencies
  • Python

Only in Hetzner Cloud

  • Cloud servers
  • Block storage
  • Object storage
  • Load balancers
  • Networks
  • Firewalls
  • Floating IPs
  • Backups

What people use each for

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

DuckDB

  • Analytics and data warehousingnot Hetzner Cloud
  • OLAP queries and data explorationnot Hetzner Cloud
  • Data science and machine learning workflowsnot Hetzner Cloud
  • Multi-format data ingestion and processingnot Hetzner Cloud

Hetzner Cloud

  • Low-cost virtual servers for development and testingnot DuckDB
  • European hosting with data held in Germany or Finlandnot DuckDB
  • Workloads with heavy egress, where included traffic mattersnot DuckDB
  • Self-hosting applications away from the hyperscalersnot DuckDB

Where each one falls short

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

DuckDB

  • Client-server setup remains in beta and not recommended for production distributed scenarios

Hetzner Cloud

  • Cost-Optimized plans are shown as currently unavailable
  • The shared-resource tiers are positioned for variable usage and development rather than sustained production workloads
  • Regions are limited to Germany, Finland, the United States and Singapore, so latency to other markets is a real constraint
  • The uptime guarantee is 99.9 percent, below what the large hyperscalers offer on comparable services
  • Support is 24/7 by email, without a phone channel

Pricing, plan by plan

DuckDB

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the DuckDB review.

Hetzner Cloud

Free
  • CX11$3.29/month
    • 1 vCPU
    • 1GB RAM
    • 25GB SSD
  • CX21$6.59/month
    • 2 vCPU
    • 4GB RAM
    • 40GB SSD

Which should you pick?

Choose DuckDB if

  • You need in-process execution.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, macOS, Windows, WebAssembly.
  • You also want columnar storage.
DuckDB review

Choose Hetzner Cloud if

  • You need cloud servers.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Api, Cli.
  • You also want block storage.
Hetzner Cloud review

Questions people ask

Is DuckDB or Hetzner Cloud better?
Neither clearly leads. DuckDB starts at Free and Hetzner Cloud at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, DuckDB or Hetzner Cloud?
DuckDB starts at Free and Hetzner Cloud at Free.
Does DuckDB or Hetzner Cloud run on more platforms?
DuckDB runs on Linux, macOS, Windows, WebAssembly. Hetzner Cloud runs on Web, Api, Cli.
Can I use DuckDB for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is DuckDB best used for?
DuckDB is most often used for analytics and data warehousing, olap queries and data exploration, data science and machine learning workflows, multi-format data ingestion and processing. Of those, analytics and data warehousing and olap queries and data exploration are not what Hetzner Cloud is typically brought in for.
What can DuckDB do that Hetzner Cloud cannot?
DuckDB covers In-process Execution, Columnar Storage, Vectorized Execution, Rich SQL Support. Hetzner Cloud covers Cloud servers, Block storage, Object storage, Load balancers.
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