StarRocks vs SingleStore: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between StarRocks and SingleStore 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
SingleStore
Distributed SQL database for real-time analytics
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.2/10 vs 8.0/10)
- • You need managed databases features specifically
- • SingleStore is a distributed SQL database for real-time analytics
- • It handles transactional and analytical workloads in one system
| At a Glance |  StarRocks |  SingleStore |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free | Paid |
Best For | Business Intelligence | Managed Databases |
Rating | 80/100 | 82/100 |
| Feature | StarRocks | SingleStore |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Paid |
| Editorial Score | 80 | 82 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Business IntelligenceData Visualization | Managed DatabasesETL & Data Pipelines |
How StarRocks and SingleStore Compare
StarRocks
High-performance analytical database
Free · 80/100 score
SingleStore
Distributed SQL database for real-time analytics
Paid · 82/100 score
StarRocks is a business intelligence tool. SingleStore is in managed databases.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
StarRocks is free. SingleStore is paid.
Go with: StarRocks
Want the highest-rated option?
StarRocks: 80/100. SingleStore: 82/100.
Go with: SingleStore
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: SingleStore
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
StarRocks is free. SingleStore is paid. Go with StarRocks if free matters most.
What's your use case?
StarRocks is a business intelligence tool. SingleStore is in managed databases. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
SingleStore scores higher: 82/100 vs 80/100.
Key Takeaways
SingleStore
- Higher score: 82/100 vs 80
- Our pick for this comparison
StarRocks
- Completely free
- Better fit for business intelligence
The Bottom Line
SingleStore (82/100) is our pick. That said, StarRocks is free — hard to beat on price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is StarRocks or SingleStore better?
SingleStore scores 82/100 in our evaluation. StarRocks is free and SingleStore is paid.
What are StarRocks and SingleStore used for?
StarRocks: High-performance analytical database. SingleStore: Distributed SQL database for real-time analytics.
What does StarRocks cost vs SingleStore?
StarRocks is completely free. SingleStore is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.