MotherDuck vs ClickHouse: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between MotherDuck 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:
MotherDuck
Ducking Simple Data Warehouse based on DuckDB for fast, scalable analytics.
Best for you if:
- • You want to try before committing
- • You need big data analytics features specifically
- • Cloud data warehouse built on DuckDB for fast, scalable analytics.
- • Supports internal BI, customer-facing analytics, and various data formats.
ClickHouse
Fast open-source analytics database
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (9.0/10 vs 7.4/10)
- • 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 |  MotherDuck |  ClickHouse |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Paid |
Best For | Big Data Analytics | Web Analytics |
Rating | 74/100 | 90/100 |
| Feature | MotherDuck | ClickHouse |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Paid |
| Editorial Score | 74 | 90 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Big Data AnalyticsManaged Databases | Web AnalyticsProduct Analytics |
How MotherDuck and ClickHouse Compare
MotherDuck
Ducking Simple Data Warehouse based on DuckDB for fast, scalable analytics.
Free tier available · 74/100 score
ClickHouse
Fast open-source analytics database
Paid · 90/100 score
MotherDuck is a big data analytics tool. ClickHouse is in web analytics.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
MotherDuck has a free tier. ClickHouse is paid only.
Go with: MotherDuck
Want the highest-rated option?
MotherDuck: 74/100. 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?
MotherDuck is freemium. ClickHouse is paid. MotherDuck lets you start free.
What's your use case?
MotherDuck is a big data analytics tool. ClickHouse is in web analytics. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
ClickHouse scores higher: 90/100 vs 74/100.
Key Takeaways
ClickHouse
- Higher score: 90/100 vs 74
- Our pick for this comparison
MotherDuck
- Has a free tier
- Better fit for big data analytics
The Bottom Line
ClickHouse (90/100) is our pick. MotherDuck has a free tier if you want to test without paying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is MotherDuck or ClickHouse better?
ClickHouse scores 90/100 in our evaluation. MotherDuck is freemium and ClickHouse is paid.
What are MotherDuck and ClickHouse used for?
MotherDuck: Ducking Simple Data Warehouse based on DuckDB for fast, scalable analytics.. ClickHouse: Fast open-source analytics database.
What does MotherDuck cost vs ClickHouse?
MotherDuck is freemium (free tier + paid plans). ClickHouse is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.