ClickHouse vs Amazon Redshift: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between ClickHouse 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: ClickHouse is our overall pick for data & databases workflows. 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:
ClickHouse
Fast open-source analytics database
Best for you if:
- • ClickHouse is a column-oriented database for real-time analytics on massive datasets
- • It delivers sub-second query performance on billions of rows for OLAP workloads
Amazon Redshift
Petabyte-scale data warehouse on AWS
Best for you if:
- • AWS cloud data warehouse
- • Petabyte-scale analytics
| At a Glance |  ClickHouse |  Amazon Redshift |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Custom | $0.25/hourProvisioned |
Best For | Data & Databases | Data & Databases |
Rating | 4.4/5 | 4.4/5 |
Choose ClickHouse or Amazon Redshift?
Choose ClickHouse if
Fast open-source analytics database
- Extremely fast analytics
- Good compression
- SQL interface
Choose Amazon Redshift if
Petabyte-scale data warehouse on AWS
- Deep AWS integration
- Mature and proven
- Serverless option
| Feature | ClickHouse | Amazon Redshift |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Paid |
| User Rating | ★4.4/5 20 reviews | ★4.4/5 16 reviews |
| Categories | Data & DatabasesAnalytics | Data & DatabasesData Warehouses |
In-Depth Analysis
ClickHouse
Fast open-source analytics database
Strengths
- +Extremely fast analytics
- +Good compression
- +SQL interface
- +Column-oriented
- +Open source
Weaknesses
- -Not for OLTP
- -Updates expensive
- -Operations complex
- -Learning curve
- -Specific use cases
Key features
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
Pricing: ClickHouse vs Amazon Redshift
| Plan | ClickHouse | Amazon Redshift |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Basic | Free Free Trial |
| Tier 2 | usage-based Scale | $0.25 hour Provisioned |
| Tier 3 | custom Enterprise | Variable Serverless |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on ClickHouse pricing and Amazon Redshift pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are paid. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: ClickHouse
Want the highest-rated option?
ClickHouse: 4.4/5 (20 reviews). Amazon Redshift: 4.4/5 (16 reviews).
Go with: ClickHouse
Value user reviews?
ClickHouse: 20 reviews (4.4/5). Amazon Redshift: 16 reviews (4.4/5).
Go with: ClickHouse
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?
Both are rated 4.4/5.
Key Takeaways
ClickHouse
- Larger review base (20 reviews)
- Our pick for this comparison
Amazon Redshift
- Choose if you want petabyte-scale data warehouse on AWS
The Bottom Line
ClickHouse is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ClickHouse or Amazon Redshift better?
ClickHouse is rated in our evaluation. Both are paid.
What are ClickHouse and Amazon Redshift used for?
ClickHouse: Fast open-source analytics database. Amazon Redshift: Petabyte-scale data warehouse on AWS.
What does ClickHouse cost vs Amazon Redshift?
ClickHouse is a paid tool. Amazon Redshift is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.