Hydra vs CrateDB: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Hydra and CrateDB 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:
Hydra
Serverless analytics on Postgres with sub-second response times and automatic autoscaling.
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.2/10 vs 7.7/10)
- • You need serverless features specifically
- • Serverless analytics built on Postgres, leveraging DuckDB for performance.
- • Offers sub-second response times, autoscaling, and columnar storage for large datasets.
CrateDB
Real-time analytics database for instant insights from any data, at any scale, with SQL.
Best for you if:
- • You need business intelligence features specifically
- • Real-time analytics database for instant querying of diverse data at scale using SQL.
- • Supports complex aggregations, hybrid search (including vector similarity), and AI model integration.
| At a Glance |  Hydra |  CrateDB |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Free + Paid |
Best For | Serverless | Business Intelligence |
Rating | 82/100 | 77/100 |
| Feature | Hydra | CrateDB |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | 82 | 77 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | ServerlessManaged Databases | Business IntelligenceETL & Data Pipelines |
How Hydra and CrateDB Compare
Hydra
Serverless analytics on Postgres with sub-second response times and automatic autoscaling.
Free tier available · 82/100 score
CrateDB
Real-time analytics database for instant insights from any data, at any scale, with SQL.
Free tier available · 77/100 score
Hydra is a serverless tool. CrateDB is in business intelligence.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are freemium. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Hydra
Want the highest-rated option?
Hydra: 82/100. CrateDB: 77/100.
Go with: Hydra
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Hydra
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are freemium. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
Hydra is a serverless tool. CrateDB is in business intelligence. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Hydra scores higher: 82/100 vs 77/100.
Key Takeaways
Hydra
- Higher score: 82/100 vs 77
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
CrateDB
- Better fit for business intelligence
The Bottom Line
Hydra (82/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hydra or CrateDB better?
Hydra scores 82/100 in our evaluation. Both are freemium.
What are Hydra and CrateDB used for?
Hydra: Serverless analytics on Postgres with sub-second response times and automatic autoscaling.. CrateDB: Real-time analytics database for instant insights from any data, at any scale, with SQL..
What does Hydra cost vs CrateDB?
Hydra is freemium (free tier + paid plans). CrateDB is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.