Amazon Redshift vs Snowflake: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Amazon Redshift and Snowflake 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: Amazon Redshift is our overall pick for data & databases workflows. Pick Snowflake 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:
- • AWS cloud data warehouse
- • Petabyte-scale analytics
Snowflake
Unify your data across clouds with separate compute and storage
Best for you if:
- • Cloud data warehouse platform
- • Separates storage and compute
| At a Glance |  Amazon Redshift |  Snowflake |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | $0.25/hourProvisioned | 2/creditStandard |
Best For | Data & Databases | Data & Databases |
Rating | - | - |
Choose Amazon Redshift or Snowflake?
Choose Amazon Redshift if
Petabyte-scale data warehouse on AWS
- Deep AWS integration
- Mature and proven
- Serverless option
Choose Snowflake if
Unify your data across clouds with separate compute and storage
- Elastic scaling
- Multi-cloud
- Easy to use
| Feature | Amazon Redshift | Snowflake |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Paid |
| User Rating | ★4.4/5 16 reviews | ★4.6/5 777 reviews |
| Categories | Data & DatabasesData Warehouses | Data & DatabasesCloud & Infrastructure |
In-Depth Analysis
Amazon Redshift
Petabyte-scale data warehouse on AWS
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
Snowflake
Unify your data across clouds with separate compute and storage
Strengths
- +Elastic scaling
- +Multi-cloud
- +Easy to use
Weaknesses
- -Costs can spike
- -Vendor lock-in
Key features
Pricing: Amazon Redshift vs Snowflake
| Plan | Amazon Redshift | Snowflake |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free Free Trial | 2 /credit Standard |
| Tier 2 | $0.25 hour Provisioned | 3 /credit Enterprise |
| Tier 3 | Variable Serverless | 4 /credit Business Critical |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Amazon Redshift pricing and Snowflake pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are paid. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Amazon Redshift
Want the highest-rated option?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Amazon Redshift
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Amazon Redshift
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?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Key Takeaways
Amazon Redshift
- Our pick for this comparison
Snowflake
- Higher user rating: 4.6/5 vs 4.4/5
- Larger review base (777 reviews)
The Bottom Line
Amazon Redshift is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Amazon Redshift or Snowflake better?
Amazon Redshift is rated in our evaluation. Both are paid.
What are Amazon Redshift and Snowflake used for?
Amazon Redshift: Petabyte-scale data warehouse on AWS. Snowflake: Unify your data across clouds with separate compute and storage.
What does Amazon Redshift cost vs Snowflake?
Amazon Redshift is a paid tool. Snowflake is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.