Amazon Redshift vs BigQuery: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Amazon Redshift and BigQuery comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
Bottom line: BigQuery wins this matchup. PostgreSQL is our overall Data & Databases pick. PostgreSQL is our free Data & Databases pick. Pick Amazon Redshift if you need its specific feature set.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Amazon Redshift
Petabyte-scale data warehouse on AWS
Best for you if:
- • You want deep AWS integration
- • You want mature and proven
BigQuery
Google's serverless data warehouse for analytics
Best for you if:
- • You want best serverless data warehouse
- • You want petabyte scale
| At a Glance | Amazon Redshift | BigQuery |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | $0.25/hourProvisioned | $0.04/slot-hourEditions |
Best For | Data & Databases | Data & Databases |
Rating | 4.3/5 | 4.5/5 |
Free plan | No | No |
Choose Amazon Redshift or BigQuery?
Choose Amazon Redshift if
Petabyte-scale data warehouse on AWS
- You want deep AWS integration
- You want mature and proven
Choose BigQuery if
Google's serverless data warehouse for analytics
- You want best serverless data warehouse
- You want petabyte scale
- Budget matters ($0.04/slot-hour vs $0.25/hour)
| Feature | Amazon Redshift | BigQuery |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Paid |
| User Rating | ★4.3/5 420 reviews | ★4.5/5 1,258 reviews |
| Categories | Data & DatabasesData Warehouses | Data & DatabasesAnalytics |
In-Depth Analysis
Amazon Redshift
Petabyte-scale data warehouse on AWS
Amazon Redshift's pricing is fair, especially with the free trial and reserved instance options.
Watch out
Storage costs beyond compute
Strengths
- +Deep AWS integration
- +Mature and proven
- +Serverless option
- +Cost-effective for AWS users
- +Strong SQL support
Weaknesses
- -AWS lock-in
- -Complex pricing
- -Cluster management (provisioned)
- -Slower than newer alternatives
Key features
BigQuery
Google's serverless data warehouse for analytics
BigQuery's on-demand pricing ($6.25/TiB queried) with 1 TiB free per month is one of the most generous free tiers in cloud data warehousing.
Watch out
Always use column-level selects and partitioned tables to minimize bytes scanned. A poorly written dashboard refreshing hourly can cost hundreds per day
Strengths
- +Best serverless data warehouse
- +Petabyte scale
- +SQL interface
- +ML built-in
- +Pay per query
Weaknesses
- -Query costs can surprise
- -Slot management complex
- -Streaming inserts expensive
- -Learning curve
- -Some SQL limitations
Key features
Pricing: Amazon Redshift vs BigQuery
| Plan | Amazon Redshift | BigQuery |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free Free Trial | Free Tier |
| Tier 2 | $0.25 hour Provisioned | $6.25 /TB On-Demand |
| Tier 3 | Variable Serverless | $0.04 /slot-hour Editions |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Amazon Redshift pricing and BigQuery pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are paid. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: BigQuery
Want the highest-rated option?
Amazon Redshift: 4.3/5 (420 reviews). BigQuery: 4.5/5 (1,258 reviews).
Go with: BigQuery
Value user reviews?
Amazon Redshift: 420 reviews (4.3/5). BigQuery: 1,258 reviews (4.5/5).
Go with: BigQuery
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are paid. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
Both are data & databases tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
BigQuery is rated higher: 4.5/5 vs 4.3/5.
Key Takeaways
BigQuery
- Higher user rating: 4.5/5 vs 4.3/5
- Larger review base (1,258 reviews)
- Our pick for this comparison
Amazon Redshift
- Choose if you want petabyte-scale data warehouse on AWS
The Bottom Line
BigQuery wins this matchup. PostgreSQL is our overall Data & Databases pick. PostgreSQL is our free Data & Databases pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Amazon Redshift or BigQuery better?
BigQuery is rated in our evaluation. Both are paid.
What are Amazon Redshift and BigQuery used for?
Amazon Redshift: Petabyte-scale data warehouse on AWS. BigQuery: Google's serverless data warehouse for analytics.
What does Amazon Redshift cost vs BigQuery?
Amazon Redshift is a paid tool. BigQuery is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.