Dremio vs StarRocks: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Dremio and StarRocks 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.
By Toolradar Team · Last updated February 22, 2026 · Methodology
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Dremio
The Agentic Lakehouse for AI and Analytics, providing fast, governed, and unified data access.
Best for you if:
- • You need big data analytics features specifically
- • Unifies data across sources with zero ETL for AI and analytics.
- • Provides an AI Semantic Layer for trusted AI context and accurate answers.
StarRocks
High-performance analytical database
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.0/10 vs 0.0/10)
- • You need something completely free
- • You need business intelligence features specifically
- • StarRocks is a high-performance analytical database for real-time analytics
- • It provides sub-second queries on large datasets with MySQL compatibility
| At a Glance |  Dremio | |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Free |
Best For | Big Data Analytics | Business Intelligence |
Rating | —/100 | 80/100 |
| Feature | Dremio | StarRocks |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Free |
| Editorial Score | — | 80 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Big Data AnalyticsBusiness Intelligence | Business IntelligenceData Visualization |
How Dremio and StarRocks Compare
Dremio
The Agentic Lakehouse for AI and Analytics, providing fast, governed, and unified data access.
Free tier available
StarRocks
High-performance analytical database
Free · 80/100 score
Dremio is a big data analytics tool. StarRocks is in business intelligence.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
StarRocks is free. Dremio is freemium.
Go with: StarRocks
Want the highest-rated option?
StarRocks scores 80/100. Dremio is unrated.
Go with: StarRocks
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: StarRocks
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Dremio is freemium. StarRocks is free. Go with StarRocks if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Dremio is a big data analytics tool. StarRocks is in business intelligence. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Not all tools have been rated yet.
Key Takeaways
StarRocks
- Higher score: 80/100 vs unrated
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
Dremio
- Better fit for big data analytics
The Bottom Line
StarRocks (80/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dremio or StarRocks better?
StarRocks scores 80/100 in our evaluation. Dremio is freemium and StarRocks is free.
What are Dremio and StarRocks used for?
Dremio: The Agentic Lakehouse for AI and Analytics, providing fast, governed, and unified data access.. StarRocks: High-performance analytical database.
What does Dremio cost vs StarRocks?
Dremio is freemium (free tier + paid plans). StarRocks is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.