StarRocks vs ClickHouse: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between StarRocks 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:
StarRocks
High-performance analytical database
Best for you if:
- • You need something completely free
- • You need business intelligence features specifically
- • StarRocks is a high-performance analytical database for real-time analytics
- • It provides sub-second queries on large datasets with MySQL compatibility
ClickHouse
Fast open-source analytics database
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (9.0/10 vs 8.0/10)
- • 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 |  StarRocks |  ClickHouse |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free | Paid |
Best For | Business Intelligence | Web Analytics |
Rating | 80/100 | 90/100 |
| Feature | StarRocks | ClickHouse |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Paid |
| Editorial Score | 80 | 90 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Business IntelligenceData Visualization | Web AnalyticsProduct Analytics |
How StarRocks and ClickHouse Compare
StarRocks
High-performance analytical database
Free · 80/100 score
ClickHouse
Fast open-source analytics database
Paid · 90/100 score
StarRocks is a business intelligence tool. ClickHouse is in web analytics.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
StarRocks is free. ClickHouse is paid.
Go with: StarRocks
Want the highest-rated option?
StarRocks: 80/100. 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?
StarRocks is free. ClickHouse is paid. Go with StarRocks if free matters most.
What's your use case?
StarRocks is a business intelligence tool. ClickHouse is in web analytics. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
ClickHouse scores higher: 90/100 vs 80/100.
Key Takeaways
ClickHouse
- Higher score: 90/100 vs 80
- Our pick for this comparison
StarRocks
- Completely free
- Better fit for business intelligence
The Bottom Line
ClickHouse (90/100) is our pick. That said, StarRocks is free — hard to beat on price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is StarRocks or ClickHouse better?
ClickHouse scores 90/100 in our evaluation. StarRocks is free and ClickHouse is paid.
What are StarRocks and ClickHouse used for?
StarRocks: High-performance analytical database. ClickHouse: Fast open-source analytics database.
What does StarRocks cost vs ClickHouse?
StarRocks is completely free. ClickHouse is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.