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Databases · head to head

DuckDB vs OpenSearch

DuckDB logo

DuckDB

Databases

Fast in-process analytical database

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
OpenSearch logo

OpenSearch

Databases

Open-source search and analytics suite forked from Elasticsearch

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; OpenSearch diverged from Elasticsearch since 7.10, so clients, plugins and features no longer map one to one
  • They diverge on capability: DuckDB covers In-process Execution, OpenSearch covers Full-text search.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which DuckDB and OpenSearch actually diverge.

Attributes where DuckDB and OpenSearch differ
AttributeDuckDBOpenSearch
Pricing modelopen-sourceOpen source, no licence fee; managed services billed separately
PlatformsLinux, macOS, Windows, WebAssemblyLinux, Docker, Kubernetes, Self-hosted
Founded2019Unknown

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 DuckDB

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

Only in OpenSearch

  • Full-text search
  • OpenSearch Dashboards
  • Log analytics
  • Vector search

What people use each for

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

DuckDB

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

OpenSearch

  • Log and observability storage where an Apache-2.0 licence is a requirementnot DuckDB
  • Replacing Elasticsearch after the licence change without changing architecturenot DuckDB
  • Search plus analytics on one cluster rather than two systemsnot 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

OpenSearch

  • Diverged from Elasticsearch since 7.10, so clients, plugins and features no longer map one to one
  • Operationally heavy in the way Elasticsearch is: cluster sizing, shard strategy and JVM tuning are ongoing work
  • Smaller ecosystem of third-party tooling than Elasticsearch, which most integrations still target first
  • Overkill for plain application search, where a dedicated search engine is far simpler

Pricing, plan by plan

DuckDB

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the DuckDB review.

OpenSearch

Free
  • OpenSearchFree
    • Full functionality
    • Self-hosted
    • No usage limits

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 OpenSearch if

  • You need full-text search.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, Docker, Kubernetes, Self-hosted.
  • You also want opensearch dashboards.
OpenSearch review

Questions people ask

Is DuckDB or OpenSearch better?
Neither clearly leads. DuckDB starts at Free and OpenSearch at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, DuckDB or OpenSearch?
DuckDB starts at Free and OpenSearch at Free.
Does DuckDB or OpenSearch run on more platforms?
DuckDB runs on Linux, macOS, Windows, WebAssembly. OpenSearch runs on Linux, Docker, Kubernetes, Self-hosted.
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 OpenSearch is typically brought in for.
What can DuckDB do that OpenSearch cannot?
DuckDB covers In-process Execution, Columnar Storage, Vectorized Execution, Rich SQL Support. OpenSearch covers Full-text search, OpenSearch Dashboards, Log analytics, Vector search.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

DuckDB: Is DuckDB free to use?

Yes, DuckDB is completely free. There are no subscription tiers, user limits, or paid plans. The software has zero licensing costs.

Source
OpenSearch: Is OpenSearch free?

Yes, Apache 2.0 licensed under the Linux Foundation. Amazon OpenSearch Service is a paid managed option.

DuckDB: What license is DuckDB distributed under?

DuckDB is open source under the MIT License, governed by the independent DuckDB Foundation. The MIT License permits commercial use, modification, and distribution with minimal restrictions.

Source
OpenSearch: Why does OpenSearch exist?

Elastic moved Elasticsearch off the Apache 2.0 licence in 2021. AWS forked the last Apache-licensed version, and the project now sits under the Linux Foundation.

DuckDB: Can I use DuckDB in commercial applications?

Yes, the MIT License allows commercial use without restrictions or requirements to publish proprietary code. You can deploy DuckDB anywhere from edge devices to high-core servers.

Source
OpenSearch: Is OpenSearch compatible with Elasticsearch?

It was at the 7.10 fork point. Both have developed independently since, so compatibility weakens with every release and should be verified for the features you use.

DuckDB: Are there any limitations on how many instances I can run?

No, there are no user limits, usage limits, or instance restrictions. You have unlimited access to all DuckDB features.

Source
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