Elasticsearch vs ClickHouse: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Elasticsearch and ClickHouse 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
ClickHouse
Fast open-source analytics database
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (9.0/10 vs 8.7/10)
- • You need web analytics features specifically
- • 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
| At a Glance |  Elasticsearch |  ClickHouse |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Paid |
Best For | Real-Time Analytics | Web Analytics |
Rating | 87/100 | 90/100 |
| Feature | Elasticsearch | ClickHouse |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Paid |
| Editorial Score | 87 | 90 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Real-Time AnalyticsWeb Analytics | Web AnalyticsProduct Analytics |
How Elasticsearch and ClickHouse Compare
Elasticsearch
Distributed search and analytics
Free tier available · 87/100 score
ClickHouse
Fast open-source analytics database
Paid · 90/100 score
Elasticsearch is a real-time analytics tool. ClickHouse is in web analytics.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Elasticsearch has a free tier. ClickHouse is paid only.
Go with: Elasticsearch
Want the highest-rated option?
Elasticsearch: 87/100. ClickHouse: 90/100.
Go with: ClickHouse
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: ClickHouse
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Elasticsearch is freemium. ClickHouse is paid. Elasticsearch lets you start free.
What's your use case?
Elasticsearch is a real-time analytics tool. ClickHouse is in web analytics. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
ClickHouse scores higher: 90/100 vs 87/100.
Key Takeaways
ClickHouse
- Higher score: 90/100 vs 87
- Our pick for this comparison
Elasticsearch
- Has a free tier
- Better fit for real-time analytics
The Bottom Line
ClickHouse (90/100) is our pick. Elasticsearch has a free tier if you want to test without paying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Elasticsearch or ClickHouse better?
ClickHouse scores 90/100 in our evaluation. Elasticsearch is freemium and ClickHouse is paid.
What are Elasticsearch and ClickHouse used for?
Elasticsearch: Distributed search and analytics. ClickHouse: Fast open-source analytics database.
What does Elasticsearch cost vs ClickHouse?
Elasticsearch is freemium (free tier + paid plans). ClickHouse is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.