CockroachDB vs RethinkDB: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for CockroachDB and RethinkDB side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
CockroachDB
Distributed SQL database built for cloud
Best for you if:
- • You want distributed SQL
RethinkDB
Real-time database for modern apps
Best for you if:
- • You want a fully free tool (CockroachDB requires payment)
| At a Glance | CockroachDB | RethinkDB |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free plan | Free 100% free |
Category | Data & Databases Cloud & Infrastructure | Data & Databases WebSocket Tools |
Rating | 4.3/5 G2 4.3 29 reviews | 4.3/5 G2 4.3 15 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Watch out for | Request Unit consumption varies dramatically by query complexity. A simple key lookup costs ~1 RU, but a full table scan or complex JOIN can consume thousands of RUs. The 50M free RUs can evaporate quickly with unoptimized queries. | n/a |
Choose CockroachDB or RethinkDB?
Choose CockroachDB if
- You want distributed SQL
- You want PostgreSQL compatible
Choose RethinkDB if
- You want a fully free tool (CockroachDB requires payment)
- You want real-time database
- You want good for live updates
In-Depth Analysis
CockroachDB
Distributed SQL database built for cloud
CockroachDB offers one of the most compelling free tiers in the database market, 50M Request Units and 10 GiB storage per month with scale-to-zero is enough to run a real production app at low traffic for free.
Watch out
Request Unit consumption varies dramatically by query complexity. A simple key lookup costs ~1 RU, but a full table scan or complex JOIN can consume thousands of RUs. The 50M free RUs can evaporate quickly with unoptimized queries.
Strengths
- Pro: Distributed SQL
- Pro: PostgreSQL compatible
- Pro: Multi-region
- Pro: Strong consistency
- Pro: Good scaling
Weaknesses
- Con: Complex operations
- Con: Expensive at scale
- Con: Learning curve
- Con: Latency vs single-node
- Con: Specific use cases
Key features
RethinkDB
Real-time database for modern apps
RethinkDB's pricing is exceptionally generous, as it is entirely open-source and free.
Strengths
- Pro: Real-time database
- Pro: Good for live updates
- Pro: Open source
- Pro: Good query language
- Pro: Push architecture
Weaknesses
- Con: Less popular now
- Con: Company dissolved
- Con: Community smaller
- Con: Production concerns
- Con: Better alternatives exist
Key features
Plans and prices: CockroachDB vs RethinkDB
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| CockroachDB |
| cockroachlabs.com/pricingread Oct 9, 2026 |
| RethinkDB |
| rethinkdb.comread Oct 4, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on CockroachDB pricing and RethinkDB pricing.
Key Takeaways
CockroachDB
- Choose if you want distributed SQL database built for cloud
RethinkDB
- Choose if you want real-time database for modern apps
What the data shows
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
- User ratings rest on too few reviews to rank (4.3/5 from 29 reviews for CockroachDB, 4.3/5 from 15 reviews for RethinkDB; we compare ratings only above 20 reviews on both sides).
- Both have a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do CockroachDB and RethinkDB compare in 2026?
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair. User ratings rest on too few reviews to rank (4.3/5 from 29 reviews for CockroachDB, 4.3/5 from 15 reviews for RethinkDB; we compare ratings only above 20 reviews on both sides). Both have a free plan.
What are CockroachDB and RethinkDB used for?
CockroachDB: Distributed SQL database built for cloud. RethinkDB: Real-time database for modern apps.
What does CockroachDB cost vs RethinkDB?
CockroachDB has no public paid-plan price on file. RethinkDB is free. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Oct 9, 2026.
What's the main difference between CockroachDB and RethinkDB?
CockroachDB's main strength: distributed SQL. RethinkDB's main strength: real-time database.