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 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:
ClickHouse
Fast open-source analytics database
Best for you if:
- • You want extremely fast analytics
- • You want good compression
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 | ClickHouse | Amazon Redshift |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Custom | $0.25/hourProvisioned |
Best For | Data & Databases | Data & Databases |
Rating | 4.5/5 | 4.3/5 |
Free plan | No | No |
Choose ClickHouse or Amazon Redshift?
Choose ClickHouse if
Fast open-source analytics database
- You want extremely fast analytics
- You want good compression
Choose Amazon Redshift if
Petabyte-scale data warehouse on AWS
- You want deep AWS integration
- You want mature and proven
| Feature | ClickHouse | Amazon Redshift |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Paid |
| User Rating | ★4.5/5 23 reviews | ★4.3/5 420 reviews |
| Categories | Data & DatabasesAnalytics | Data & DatabasesData Warehouses |
In-Depth Analysis
ClickHouse
Fast open-source analytics database
ClickHouse Cloud is genuinely cheap for read-heavy analytical workloads thanks to aggressive columnar compression and per-minute compute billing.
Watch out
Internet egress fees ($0.0312-$0.162/GB depending on region) add up fast if you export query results to external dashboards or applications. A team exporting 100 GB/month from AWS us-east-1 pays an extra $11.50/month in egress alone.
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
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: 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: 4.5/5 (23 reviews). Amazon Redshift: 4.3/5 (420 reviews).
Go with: ClickHouse
Value user reviews?
ClickHouse: 23 reviews (4.5/5). Amazon Redshift: 420 reviews (4.3/5).
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?
ClickHouse is rated higher: 4.5/5 vs 4.3/5.
Key Takeaways
ClickHouse
- Higher user rating: 4.5/5 vs 4.3/5
- Our pick for this comparison
Amazon Redshift
- Larger review base (420 reviews)
The Bottom Line
ClickHouse wins this matchup. Our overall Data & Databases pick is PostgreSQL. Our free Data & Databases pick is PostgreSQL.
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.