Snowflake vs Amazon Redshift: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Snowflake and Amazon Redshift 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: Snowflake is our overall pick for data & databases workflows. Pick Amazon Redshift 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:
Snowflake
Unify your data across clouds with separate compute and storage
Best for you if:
- • Cloud data warehouse platform
- • Separates storage and compute
Amazon Redshift
Petabyte-scale data warehouse on AWS
Best for you if:
- • AWS cloud data warehouse
- • Petabyte-scale analytics
| At a Glance |  Snowflake |  Amazon Redshift |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Custom | $0.25/hourProvisioned |
Best For | Data & Databases | Data & Databases |
Rating | 4.6/5 | 4.4/5 |
Free plan | No | No |
Choose Snowflake or Amazon Redshift?
Choose Snowflake if
Unify your data across clouds with separate compute and storage
- Elastic scaling
- Multi-cloud
- Easy to use
Choose Amazon Redshift if
Petabyte-scale data warehouse on AWS
- Deep AWS integration
- Mature and proven
- Serverless option
| Feature | Snowflake | Amazon Redshift |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Paid |
| User Rating | ★4.6/5 777 reviews | ★4.4/5 16 reviews |
| Categories | Data & DatabasesCloud & Infrastructure | Data & DatabasesData Warehouses |
In-Depth Analysis
Snowflake
Unify your data across clouds with separate compute and storage
Strengths
- +Elastic scaling
- +Multi-cloud
- +Easy to use
Weaknesses
- -Costs can spike
- -Vendor lock-in
Key features
Amazon Redshift
Petabyte-scale data warehouse on AWS
Strengths
- +Deep AWS integration
- +Mature and proven
- +Serverless option
- +Cost-effective for AWS users
- +Strong SQL support
Weaknesses
- -AWS lock-in
- -Complex pricing
- -Cluster management (provisioned)
- -Slower than newer alternatives
Key features
Pricing: Snowflake vs Amazon Redshift
| Plan | Snowflake | Amazon Redshift |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | 2 /credit Standard | Free Free Trial |
| Tier 2 | 3 /credit Enterprise | $0.25 hour Provisioned |
| Tier 3 | 4 /credit Business Critical | Variable Serverless |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Snowflake pricing and Amazon Redshift pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are paid. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Snowflake
Want the highest-rated option?
Snowflake: 4.6/5 (777 reviews). Amazon Redshift: 4.4/5 (16 reviews).
Go with: Snowflake
Value user reviews?
Snowflake: 777 reviews (4.6/5). Amazon Redshift: 16 reviews (4.4/5).
Go with: Snowflake
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?
Snowflake is rated higher: 4.6/5 vs 4.4/5.
Key Takeaways
Snowflake
- Higher user rating: 4.6/5 vs 4.4/5
- Larger review base (777 reviews)
- Our pick for this comparison
Amazon Redshift
- Choose if you want petabyte-scale data warehouse on AWS
The Bottom Line
Snowflake is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Snowflake or Amazon Redshift better?
Snowflake is rated in our evaluation. Both are paid.
What are Snowflake and Amazon Redshift used for?
Snowflake: Unify your data across clouds with separate compute and storage. Amazon Redshift: Petabyte-scale data warehouse on AWS.
What does Snowflake cost vs Amazon Redshift?
Snowflake is a paid tool. Amazon Redshift is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.