BigQuery vs Amazon Redshift: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between BigQuery and Amazon Redshift 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. Our overall Data & Databases pick is PostgreSQL. Our free Data & Databases pick is PostgreSQL. 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:
BigQuery
Google's serverless data warehouse for analytics
Best for you if:
- • You want best serverless data warehouse
- • You want petabyte scale
Amazon Redshift
Petabyte-scale data warehouse on AWS
Best for you if:
- • You want deep AWS integration
- • You want mature and proven
| At a Glance | BigQuery | Amazon Redshift |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | $0.04/slot-hourEditions | $0.25/hourProvisioned |
Best For | Data & Databases | Data & Databases |
Rating | 4.5/5 | 4.3/5 |
Free plan | No | No |
Choose BigQuery or Amazon Redshift?
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)
Choose Amazon Redshift if
Petabyte-scale data warehouse on AWS
- You want deep AWS integration
- You want mature and proven
| Feature | BigQuery | Amazon Redshift |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Paid |
| User Rating | ★4.5/5 1,258 reviews | ★4.3/5 420 reviews |
| Categories | Data & DatabasesAnalytics | Data & DatabasesData Warehouses |
In-Depth Analysis
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
SELECT * is expensive: scanning an entire 10 TiB table costs $62.50 per query. 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
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
Pricing: BigQuery vs Amazon Redshift
| Plan | BigQuery | Amazon Redshift |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free Tier | Free Free Trial |
| Tier 2 | $6.25 /TB On-Demand | $0.25 hour Provisioned |
| Tier 3 | $0.04 /slot-hour Editions | Variable Serverless |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on BigQuery pricing and Amazon Redshift pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are paid. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: BigQuery
Want the highest-rated option?
BigQuery: 4.5/5 (1,258 reviews). Amazon Redshift: 4.3/5 (420 reviews).
Go with: BigQuery
Value user reviews?
BigQuery: 1,258 reviews (4.5/5). Amazon Redshift: 420 reviews (4.3/5).
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. Our overall Data & Databases pick is PostgreSQL. Our free Data & Databases pick is PostgreSQL.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is BigQuery or Amazon Redshift better?
BigQuery is rated in our evaluation. Both are paid.
What are BigQuery and Amazon Redshift used for?
BigQuery: Google's serverless data warehouse for analytics. Amazon Redshift: Petabyte-scale data warehouse on AWS.
What does BigQuery cost vs Amazon Redshift?
BigQuery is a paid tool. Amazon Redshift is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.