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Machine Learning · head to head

IBM SPSS vs QuestDB

IBM SPSS logo

IBM SPSS

Machine Learning

Statistical analysis software for data science

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
QuestDB logo

QuestDB

Databases

Fast open source time-series database for high throughput ingestion

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: IBM SPSS add-on packages are priced separately from the base subscription, and the promotional 45% discount on them excludes renewals; QuestDB open-source edition lacks high-availability, distributed architecture, and enterprise security features
  • They diverge on capability: IBM SPSS covers Statistical analysis, QuestDB covers High Throughput Ingestion.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which IBM SPSS and QuestDB actually diverge.

Attributes where IBM SPSS and QuestDB differ
AttributeIBM SPSSQuestDB
Pricing modelsubscriptionopen-source
PlatformsLinux, Mac, WindowsDocker, Kubernetes, Cloud (AWS, Azure, GCP)
CategoryMachine LearningDatabases
Founded19112014

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 IBM SPSS

  • Statistical analysis
  • Predictive modeling
  • Data visualization
  • Survey analysis
  • Decision trees
  • Python
  • R
  • Excel

Only in QuestDB

  • High Throughput Ingestion
  • SQL Support
  • Time-series Optimization
  • SIMD Vectorization
  • Column-oriented Storage
  • Built-in Web Console
  • InfluxDB Line Protocol
  • PostgreSQL

Both cover

  • Linux support
  • Mac support
  • Windows support

What people use each for

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

IBM SPSS

  • Statistical testing and regression analysis for academic and market researchnot QuestDB
  • Predictive modelling and forecasting without writing codenot QuestDB

QuestDB

  • Time-series analytics ingesting up to 20M rows/second from IoT sensors or financial data feedsnot IBM SPSS
  • Real-time dashboarding with 32ms time-to-first-row latency for minute-level analyticsnot IBM SPSS
  • Applications requiring multi-tier storage (hot ingest, real-time SQL, cold Parquet archive)not IBM SPSS

Where each one falls short

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

IBM SPSS

  • Add-on packages are priced separately from the base subscription, and the promotional 45% discount on them excludes renewals
  • Subscription cost renews at the then current price at the end of the first year, so the advertised rate applies to the first term only
  • Prices shown are described by IBM as indicative, vary by country and exclude applicable taxes and duties
  • Extended access periods of 12 months or more are handled as tailored pricing rather than a published rate
  • Advanced statistics, custom tables, decision trees and forecasting are separate add-ons rather than part of the base product

QuestDB

  • Open-source edition lacks high-availability, distributed architecture, and enterprise security features
  • Enterprise edition pricing not published; requires contacting sales for custom quote
  • Ingestion limit of 20M rows/sec platform-dependent; may not scale to extreme throughput requirements

Pricing, plan by plan

IBM SPSS

Free
  • TrialFree
    • 14-day trial
    • Full features
  • Base$99/month
    • Core statistics
    • Data management

QuestDB

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the QuestDB review.

Which should you pick?

Choose IBM SPSS if

  • You need statistical analysis.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, Mac, Windows.
  • You also want predictive modeling.
IBM SPSS review

Choose QuestDB if

  • You need high throughput ingestion.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Docker, Kubernetes, Cloud (AWS, Azure, GCP).
  • You also want sql support.
QuestDB review

Questions people ask

Is IBM SPSS or QuestDB better?
Neither clearly leads. IBM SPSS starts at Free and QuestDB at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, IBM SPSS or QuestDB?
IBM SPSS starts at Free and QuestDB at Free.
Does IBM SPSS or QuestDB run on more platforms?
IBM SPSS runs on Linux, Mac, Windows. QuestDB runs on Docker, Kubernetes, Cloud (AWS, Azure, GCP).
Can I use IBM SPSS for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is IBM SPSS best used for?
IBM SPSS is most often used for statistical testing and regression analysis for academic and market research, predictive modelling and forecasting without writing code. Of those, statistical testing and regression analysis for academic and market research and predictive modelling and forecasting without writing code are not what QuestDB is typically brought in for.
What can IBM SPSS do that QuestDB cannot?
IBM SPSS covers Statistical analysis, Predictive modeling, Data visualization, Survey analysis. QuestDB covers High Throughput Ingestion, SQL Support, Time-series Optimization, SIMD Vectorization. Both handle Linux support, Mac support, Windows support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

QuestDB: How much does QuestDB Enterprise cost?

QuestDB does not publish specific pricing for the Enterprise tier. Customers must contact QuestDB via their enterprise contact form to receive a custom quote.

Source
QuestDB: Does QuestDB offer a free version?

Yes, QuestDB Open Source is completely free and recommended for evaluation, prototyping, and pilot projects. Enterprise features, high availability, security, and dedicated support require the paid Enterprise tier.

Source
QuestDB: What deployment options does QuestDB offer?

QuestDB offers open source deployment, Enterprise deployment, and Bring Your Own Cloud (BYOC) deployment. Pricing details for BYOC and Enterprise tiers are not published and require direct contact with sales.

Source
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