SingleStore vs ClickHouse: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between SingleStore 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.
Bottom line: ClickHouse wins this matchup. Our overall Data & Databases pick is PostgreSQL. Our free Data & Databases pick is PostgreSQL. Pick SingleStore if you need its specific feature set.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
SingleStore
Distributed SQL database for real-time analytics
Best for you if:
- • You want fast analytics database
- • You want good performance
ClickHouse
Fast open-source analytics database
Best for you if:
- • You want extremely fast analytics
- • You want good compression
| At a Glance | SingleStore | ClickHouse |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | $0.69/moS-00 | Custom |
Best For | Data & Databases | Data & Databases |
Rating | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 |
Free plan | No | No |
Choose SingleStore or ClickHouse?
Choose SingleStore if
Distributed SQL database for real-time analytics
- You want fast analytics database
- You want good performance
Choose ClickHouse if
Fast open-source analytics database
- You want extremely fast analytics
- You want good compression
| Feature | SingleStore | ClickHouse |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Paid |
| User Rating | ★4.5/5 157 reviews | ★4.5/5 23 reviews |
| Categories | Data & DatabasesAnalytics | Data & DatabasesAnalytics |
In-Depth Analysis
SingleStore
Distributed SQL database for real-time analytics
SingleStore's pricing, starting at $0.69/hour for S-00 ($374/month reserved) and quickly scaling to $2.75/hour for S-1 ($1,497/month reserved), appears expensive for smaller use cases when compared to other cloud database offerings.
Watch out
Data transfer costs not included
Strengths
- +Fast analytics database
- +Good performance
- +SQL compatible
- +Active development
- +Good for real-time
Weaknesses
- -Expensive
- -Learning curve
- -Vendor lock-in
- -Complex pricing
- -Enterprise focus
Key features
ClickHouse
Fast open-source analytics database
ClickHouse Cloud is genuinely cheap for read-heavy analytical workloads thanks to aggressive columnar compression and per-minute compute billing.
Watch out
Internet egress fees ($0.0312-$0.162/GB depending on region) add up fast if you export query results to external dashboards or applications. A team exporting 100 GB/month from AWS us-east-1 pays an extra $11.50/month in egress alone.
Strengths
- +Extremely fast analytics
- +Good compression
- +SQL interface
- +Column-oriented
- +Open source
Weaknesses
- -Not for OLTP
- -Updates expensive
- -Operations complex
- -Learning curve
- -Specific use cases
Key features
Pricing: SingleStore vs ClickHouse
| Plan | SingleStore | ClickHouse |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | $0.69 S-00 | Basic |
| Tier 2 | $1.38 S-0 | usage-based Scale |
| Tier 3 | $2.75 S-1 | custom Enterprise |
| Tier 4 | Custom Enterprise | N/A |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on SingleStore pricing and ClickHouse pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are paid. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: ClickHouse
Want the highest-rated option?
SingleStore: 4.5/5 (157 reviews). ClickHouse: 4.5/5 (23 reviews).
Go with: SingleStore
Value user reviews?
SingleStore: 157 reviews (4.5/5). ClickHouse: 23 reviews (4.5/5).
Go with: SingleStore
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are paid. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
Both are data & databases tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Both are rated 4.5/5.
Key Takeaways
ClickHouse
- Our pick for this comparison
SingleStore
- Larger review base (157 reviews)
The Bottom Line
ClickHouse wins this matchup. Our overall Data & Databases pick is PostgreSQL. Our free Data & Databases pick is PostgreSQL.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is SingleStore or ClickHouse better?
ClickHouse is rated in our evaluation. Both are paid.
What are SingleStore and ClickHouse used for?
SingleStore: Distributed SQL database for real-time analytics. ClickHouse: Fast open-source analytics database.
What does SingleStore cost vs ClickHouse?
SingleStore is a paid tool. ClickHouse is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.