QuestDB vs TDengine
A detailed comparison
Compare QuestDB and TDengine for time series and OLAP workloads
Learn About Time Series DatabasesChoosing the right database is a critical choice when building any software application. All databases have different strengths and weaknesses when it comes to performance, so deciding which database has the most benefits and the most minor downsides for your specific use case and data model is an important decision. Below you will find an overview of the key concepts, architecture, features, use cases, and pricing models of QuestDB and TDengine so you can quickly see how they compare against each other.
The primary purpose of this article is to compare how QuestDB and TDengine perform for workloads involving time series data, not for all possible use cases. Time series data typically presents a unique challenge in terms of database performance. This is due to the high volume of data being written and the query patterns to access that data. This article doesn’t intend to make the case for which database is better; it simply provides an overview of each database so you can make an informed decision.
QuestDB vs TDengine Breakdown
 |
 |
|
| Database Model | Time series database |
Time series database |
| Architecture | QuestDB is designed for horizontal scaling, enabling you to distribute data and queries across multiple nodes for increased performance and availability. It can be deployed on-premises, in the cloud, or as a hybrid solution, depending on your infrastructure needs and preferences. |
TDengine can be deployed on-premises, in the cloud, or as a hybrid solution, allowing flexibility in deployment and management. |
| License | Apache 2.0 |
AGPL 3.0 |
| Use Cases | Monitoring, observability, IoT, Real-time analytics, Financial services, High-frequency trading |
IoT data storage, industrial monitoring, smart energy, smart home, monitoring and observability |
| Scalability | High-performance with support for horizontal scaling and multi-threading |
Horizontally scalable with clustering and built-in load balancing. TDengine also provides decoupled compute and storage as well as object storage support for data tiering in some versions |
Looking for the most efficient way to get started?
Whether you are looking for cost savings, lower management overhead, or open source, InfluxDB can help.
QuestDB Overview
QuestDB is an open-source relational column-oriented database designed specifically for time series and event data. It combines high-performance ingestion capabilities with SQL analytics, making it a powerful tool for managing and analyzing large volumes of time-based data. QuestDB addresses the challenges of handling high throughput and provides a simple way to analyze ingested data through SQL queries. It is well-suited for use cases such as financial market data and application metrics.
TDengine Overview
TDengine is a high-performance, open source time series database designed to handle massive amounts of time series data efficiently. It was created by TAOS Data in 2017 and is specifically designed for Internet of Things (IoT), Industrial IoT, and IT infrastructure monitoring use cases. TDengine has a unique hybrid architecture that combines the advantages of both relational and NoSQL databases, providing high performance, easy-to-use SQL for querying, and flexible data modeling capabilities.
QuestDB for Time Series Data
QuestDB excels in managing and analyzing time series data. With its high-performance ingestion capabilities, it can handle high data throughput, making it suitable for real-time data ingestion scenarios. QuestDB’s SQL extensions for time series enable users to perform real-time analytics and gain valuable insights from their time-stamped data. Whether it’s financial market data or application metrics, QuestDB simplifies the process of ingesting and analyzing time series data through its fast SQL queries and operational simplicity.
TDengine for Time Series Data
TDengine is designed from the ground up as a time series database, so it will be a good fit for most use cases that heavily involve storing and analyzing time series data.
QuestDB Key Concepts
- Time Series: QuestDB focuses on time series data, which represents data points indexed by time. It is optimized for storing and processing time-stamped data efficiently.
- Column-Oriented: QuestDB employs a column-oriented storage format, where data is organized and stored column by column rather than row by row. This format enables efficient compression and faster query performance.
- SQL Extensions: QuestDB extends the SQL language with functionalities specifically tailored for time series data. These extensions facilitate real-time analytics and allow users to leverage familiar SQL constructs for querying time-based data.
TDengine Key Concepts
- Super Table: A template for creating multiple tables with the same schema. It’s similar to the concept of table inheritance in some other databases.
- Sub Table: A table created based on a Super Table, inheriting its schema. Sub Tables can have additional tags for categorization and querying purposes.
- Tag: A metadata attribute used to categorize and filter Sub Tables in a Super Table. Tags are indexed and optimized for efficient querying.
QuestDB Architecture
QuestDB follows a hybrid architecture that combines features of columnar and row-based databases. It leverages a column-oriented storage format for efficient compression and query performance while retaining the ability to handle relational data with SQL capabilities. QuestDB supports both SQL and NoSQL-like functionalities, providing users with flexibility in their data modeling and querying approaches. The database consists of multiple components, including the ingestion engine, storage engine, and query engine, working together to ensure high-performance data ingestion and retrieval.
TDengine Architecture
TDengine uses a cloud native architecture that combines the advantages of relational databases (support for SQL querying) and NoSQL databases (scalability and flexibility).
Free Time-Series Database Guide
Get a comprehensive review of alternatives and critical requirements for selecting yours.
QuestDB Features
High-Performance Ingestion
QuestDB is optimized for high throughput ingestion, allowing users to efficiently ingest large volumes of time series data at high speeds.
Fast SQL Queries
QuestDB provides fast SQL queries for analyzing time series data. It extends the SQL language with time series-specific functionalities to assist with real-time analytics.
Operational Simplicity
QuestDB aims to provide a user-friendly experience with operational simplicity. It supports schema-agnostic ingestion using popular protocols such as InfluxDB line protocol and PostgreSQL wire protocol. Additionally, a REST API is available for bulk imports and exports, simplifying data management tasks.
TDengine Features
Data ingestion
TDengine supports high-speed data ingestion, with the ability to handle millions of data points per second. It supports batch and individual data insertion.
Data querying
TDengine provides ANSI SQL support with additional that allows users to easily query time series data using familiar SQL syntax. It supports various aggregation functions, filtering, and joins.
Data retention and compression
TDengine automatically compresses data to save storage space and provides data retention policies to automatically delete old data.
QuestDB Use Cases
Financial Market Data
QuestDB is well-suited for managing and analyzing financial market data. Its high-performance ingestion and fast SQL queries enable efficient processing and analysis of large volumes of market data in real time.
Application Metrics
QuestDB can be used for collecting and analyzing application metrics. Its ability to handle high data throughput and provide real-time analytics capabilities makes it suitable for monitoring and analyzing performance metrics, logs, and other application-related data.
IoT Data Analysis
QuestDB’s high-performance ingestion and time series analytics capabilities make it a valuable tool for analyzing IoT sensor data.
TDengine Use Cases
IoT data storage and analysis
TDengine is designed to handle massive amounts of time series data generated by IoT devices. Its high-performance ingestion, querying, and storage capabilities make it a suitable choice for IoT data storage and analysis.
Industrial IoT monitoring
TDengine can be used to store and analyze data from industrial IoT sensors and devices, helping organizations monitor equipment performance, detect anomalies, and optimize operations.
Infrastructure Monitoring
TDengine can be used to collect and analyze time series data from IT infrastructure components, such as servers, networks, and applications, facilitating real-time monitoring, alerting, and performance optimization.
QuestDB Pricing Model
QuestDB is an open-source project released under the Apache 2 License. It is freely available for usage and does not require any licensing fees. Users can access the source code on GitHub and deploy QuestDB on their own infrastructure without incurring direct costs. QuestDB also offers a managed cloud service.
TDengine Pricing Model
TDengine is open source and free to use under the AGPLv3 license. TDengine also offers commercial licenses and enterprise support options for organizations that require additional features, support, or compliance with specific licensing requirements.
Get started with InfluxDB for free
InfluxDB Cloud is the fastest way to start storing and analyzing your time series data.
