Elasticsearch vs Amazon Redshift: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Elasticsearch 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.
By Toolradar Team · Last updated February 28, 2026 · Methodology
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Elasticsearch
Distributed search and analytics
Best for you if:
- • You want to try before committing
- • You need real-time analytics features specifically
- • Elasticsearch is a distributed search and analytics engine for logs, metrics, and text
- • It powers search functionality with full-text search, aggregations, and near real-time indexing
Amazon Redshift
Petabyte-scale data warehouse on AWS
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.8/10 vs 8.7/10)
- • You need data warehouses features specifically
- • AWS cloud data warehouse
- • Petabyte-scale analytics
| At a Glance |  Elasticsearch |  Amazon Redshift |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Paid |
Best For | Real-Time Analytics | Data Warehouses |
Rating | 87/100 | 88/100 |
| Feature | Elasticsearch | Amazon Redshift |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Paid |
| Editorial Score | 87 | 88 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Real-Time AnalyticsWeb Analytics | Data WarehousesServerless Databases |
How Elasticsearch and Amazon Redshift Compare
Elasticsearch
Distributed search and analytics
Free tier available · 87/100 score
Amazon Redshift
Petabyte-scale data warehouse on AWS
Paid · 88/100 score
Elasticsearch is a real-time analytics tool. Amazon Redshift is in data warehouses.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Elasticsearch has a free tier. Amazon Redshift is paid only.
Go with: Elasticsearch
Want the highest-rated option?
Elasticsearch: 87/100. Amazon Redshift: 88/100.
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?
Elasticsearch is freemium. Amazon Redshift is paid. Elasticsearch lets you start free.
What's your use case?
Elasticsearch is a real-time analytics tool. Amazon Redshift is in data warehouses. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Amazon Redshift scores higher: 88/100 vs 87/100.
Key Takeaways
Amazon Redshift
- Higher score: 88/100 vs 87
- Our pick for this comparison
Elasticsearch
- Has a free tier
- Better fit for real-time analytics
The Bottom Line
Amazon Redshift (88/100) is our pick. Elasticsearch has a free tier if you want to test without paying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Elasticsearch or Amazon Redshift better?
Amazon Redshift scores 88/100 in our evaluation. Elasticsearch is freemium and Amazon Redshift is paid.
What are Elasticsearch and Amazon Redshift used for?
Elasticsearch: Distributed search and analytics. Amazon Redshift: Petabyte-scale data warehouse on AWS.
What does Elasticsearch cost vs Amazon Redshift?
Elasticsearch is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Amazon Redshift is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.