TiDB Serverless vs Firebolt: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between TiDB Serverless and Firebolt 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 22, 2026 · Methodology
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
TiDB Serverless
A modern database architecture for real-time data, offering elastic scalability and MySQL compatibility.
Best for you if:
- • You want to try before committing
- • Unified distributed SQL database for OLTP, OLAP, and AI workloads.
- • Cloud-native architecture with decoupled compute and storage for elastic scaling.
Firebolt
Cloud data warehouse for sub-second analytics
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.2/10 vs 0.0/10)
- • Firebolt is a cloud data warehouse designed for sub-second analytics on large datasets
- • It delivers fast query performance with efficient storage using proprietary indexing
| At a Glance |  TiDB Serverless |  Firebolt |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Paid |
Best For | Big Data Analytics | Big Data Analytics |
Rating | —/100 | 82/100 |
| Feature | TiDB Serverless | Firebolt |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Paid |
| Editorial Score | — | 82 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Big Data AnalyticsManaged Databases | Big Data AnalyticsBusiness Intelligence |
How TiDB Serverless and Firebolt Compare
TiDB Serverless
A modern database architecture for real-time data, offering elastic scalability and MySQL compatibility.
Free tier available
Firebolt
Cloud data warehouse for sub-second analytics
Paid · 82/100 score
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
TiDB Serverless has a free tier. Firebolt is paid only.
Go with: TiDB Serverless
Want the highest-rated option?
Firebolt scores 82/100. TiDB Serverless is unrated.
Go with: Firebolt
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Firebolt
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
TiDB Serverless is freemium. Firebolt is paid. TiDB Serverless lets you start free.
What's your use case?
Both are big data analytics tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Not all tools have been rated yet.
Key Takeaways
Firebolt
- Higher score: 82/100 vs unrated
- Our pick for this comparison
TiDB Serverless
- Has a free tier
The Bottom Line
Firebolt (82/100) is our pick. TiDB Serverless has a free tier if you want to test without paying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is TiDB Serverless or Firebolt better?
Firebolt scores 82/100 in our evaluation. TiDB Serverless is freemium and Firebolt is paid.
What are TiDB Serverless and Firebolt used for?
TiDB Serverless: A modern database architecture for real-time data, offering elastic scalability and MySQL compatibility.. Firebolt: Cloud data warehouse for sub-second analytics.
What does TiDB Serverless cost vs Firebolt?
TiDB Serverless is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Firebolt is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.