QuestDB is a high-performance time-series database designed for handling large volumes of timestamped data with extremely low latency and high ingestion throughput. Built from the ground up for demanding workloads, it is commonly used in areas such as financial market data, real-time analytics, and IoT telemetry, where fast data ingestion and rapid query execution are critical.
The system uses a column-oriented storage model combined with vectorised execution and hardware-level optimisations to deliver efficient query performance. It supports standard SQL with time-series extensions, integrates with common tools and protocols, and offers a multi-tier storage architecture that balances real-time access with long-term data retention.
This is free and open source software.
Key Features
- High-performance time-series database with ultra-low latency and high ingestion throughput.
- Column-oriented storage engine with vectorised execution and SIMD acceleration.
- SQL support with time-series extensions such as ASOF JOIN and SAMPLE BY.
- Multi-tier storage architecture combining write-ahead logging, native storage, and Parquet.
- Supports multiple ingestion methods including InfluxDB Line Protocol, REST API, and PostgreSQL wire protocol.
- Web-based console for querying, data management, and visual interaction.
- Integrates with tools such as Grafana, Kafka, Pandas, and Apache Flink.
- Designed for efficient hardware utilisation with minimal overhead and fast setup.
Website: github.com/questdb/questdb/
Support:
Developer: QuestDB Team
License: Apache License 2.0
QuestDB is written in Java. Learn Java with our recommended free books and free tutorials.
Related Software
| Column-Oriented Databases | |
|---|---|
| MariaDB ColumnStore | Uses a massively parallel distributed data architecture |
| DuckDB | In-process SQL OLAP database management system |
| Druid | High performance, real-time analytics database |
| Databend | Cloud data warehouse |
| ClickHouse | Real-time analytics database management system |
| InfluxDB Core | Scalable datastore for metrics, events, and real-time analytics |
| Doris | Modern data warehouse for real-time analytics |
| VictoriaMetrics | Scalable solution for monitoring and managing time series data |
| StarRocks | High-performance analytical database |
| MonetDB | High performance relational database system for analytics |
| Kudu | Distributed data storage engine |
| Pinot | Real-time analytics platform |
| CrateDB | Distributed SQL database management |
Read our verdict in the software roundup.
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