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Database & Data Management · head to head

TimescaleDB vs Dgraph

TimescaleDB logo

TimescaleDB

Database & Data Management

Time-series database built on PostgreSQL for real-time analytics

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Dgraph logo

Dgraph

Database & Data Management

The only native GraphQL database with graph backend

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: TimescaleDB inherits PostgreSQL write path limitations, creating a ceiling on ingestion throughput; Dgraph the GitHub repository (dgraph-io/dgraph) is licensed Apache 2.0 with no paid tier, cloud offering, or enterprise edition mentioned anywhere in the README
  • They diverge on capability: TimescaleDB covers Time-series Optimization, Dgraph covers Native GraphQL.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which TimescaleDB and Dgraph actually diverge.

Attributes where TimescaleDB and Dgraph differ
AttributeTimescaleDBDgraph
Pricing modelUnknownfreemium
PlatformsLinux, macOS, Windows, Docker, Kubernetes, Cloud (AWS, GCP, Azure)Linux, Mac, Docker, Web
Founded20122016

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Database & Data Management).

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 TimescaleDB

  • Time-series Optimization
  • PostgreSQL Extension
  • Automatic Partitioning
  • Continuous Aggregates
  • Native Compression
  • Full SQL Support
  • Real-time Analytics
  • PostgreSQL

Only in Dgraph

  • Native GraphQL
  • Distributed Architecture
  • ACID Transactions
  • GraphQL Subscriptions
  • Full-text Search
  • Geolocation Queries
  • Horizontal Scaling
  • GraphQL

Both cover

  • Linux support
  • Mac support
  • Docker support
  • Web support

What people use each for

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

TimescaleDB

  • Monitoringnot Dgraph
  • IoT datanot Dgraph
  • Financial datanot Dgraph
  • Log analyticsnot Dgraph
  • Observabilitynot Dgraph

Dgraph

  • Knowledge graphsnot TimescaleDB
  • Fraud detectionnot TimescaleDB
  • Recommendation enginesnot TimescaleDB
  • Network analysisnot TimescaleDB
  • Master data managementnot TimescaleDB

Where each one falls short

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

TimescaleDB

  • Inherits PostgreSQL write path limitations, creating a ceiling on ingestion throughput
  • Operational complexity increases significantly at scale, requiring expertise in chunk tuning and autovacuum management
  • Bloom filter indexes on compressed columns can return incorrect query results before upgrade
  • PostgreSQL 15 support ending June 2026, forcing mandatory upgrades to PostgreSQL 16 or later

Dgraph

  • The GitHub repository (dgraph-io/dgraph) is licensed Apache 2.0 with no paid tier, cloud offering, or enterprise edition mentioned anywhere in the README

Pricing, plan by plan

TimescaleDB

Free
  • Open SourceFree
    • Self-hosted TimescaleDB
    • MIT-licensed core
    • Full PostgreSQL compatibility
  • Scale Plan (Cloud)$36/month
    • Compute and storage charges
    • Multi-node HA
    • Unlimited VPCs

Dgraph

Free
  • CommunityFree
    • Native GraphQL
    • Graph queries
    • Full-text search
  • Cloud$39/month
    • Managed service
    • Auto-scaling
    • Enterprise support

Which should you pick?

Choose TimescaleDB if

  • You need time-series optimization.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, macOS, Windows, Docker, Kubernetes, Cloud (AWS, GCP, Azure).
  • You also want postgresql extension.
TimescaleDB review

Choose Dgraph if

  • You need native graphql.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, Mac, Docker, Web.
  • You also want distributed architecture.
Dgraph review

Questions people ask

Is TimescaleDB or Dgraph better?
Neither clearly leads. TimescaleDB starts at Free and Dgraph at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, TimescaleDB or Dgraph?
TimescaleDB starts at Free and Dgraph at Free.
Does TimescaleDB or Dgraph run on more platforms?
TimescaleDB runs on Linux, macOS, Windows, Docker, Kubernetes, Cloud (AWS, GCP, Azure). Dgraph runs on Linux, Mac, Docker, Web.
Can I use TimescaleDB for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is TimescaleDB best used for?
TimescaleDB is most often used for monitoring, iot data, financial data, log analytics. Of those, monitoring and iot data are not what Dgraph is typically brought in for.
What can TimescaleDB do that Dgraph cannot?
TimescaleDB covers Time-series Optimization, PostgreSQL Extension, Automatic Partitioning, Continuous Aggregates. Dgraph covers Native GraphQL, Distributed Architecture, ACID Transactions, GraphQL Subscriptions. Both handle Linux support, Mac support, Docker support, Web support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

TimescaleDB: Is TimescaleDB free?

Yes. TimescaleDB is free and open source under the Timescale License. The managed cloud service offers a free trial with $1,000 in credits expiring in 30 days.

Source
TimescaleDB: What database does TimescaleDB run on top of?

TimescaleDB is a PostgreSQL extension that runs on top of PostgreSQL. You retain full PostgreSQL compatibility including SQL queries, transactions, and ecosystem tools.

Source
TimescaleDB: How much can TimescaleDB compress data?

TimescaleDB offers transparent columnar compression that can reduce storage by up to 95%. Newer data remains in row-oriented format for fast writes, while older data is automatically compressed to the column store.

Source
TimescaleDB: Does TimescaleDB require manual partitioning?

No. TimescaleDB handles automatic time-based partitioning through hypertables. Data is automatically chunked based on time intervals, requiring no manual partition management.

Source
TimescaleDB: What PostgreSQL versions does TimescaleDB support?

As of October 2025, TimescaleDB requires PostgreSQL 16 or greater. PostgreSQL 15 support will end with the June 2026 release, after which all instances must upgrade to PostgreSQL 16.

Source
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