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Head-to-head · Time-Series Databases

Apache IoTDB vs TimescaleDB

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 checks side by side
Higher score Apache IoTDB #1 in Time-Series Databases 9.3/10 Open source ✓ 3 of 3 features Visit Apache IoTDB
TimescaleDB #11 in Time-Series Databases 7.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 3 features Visit TimescaleDB

Apache IoTDB leads on 0 checks, TimescaleDB on 0, and 4 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 4 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreApache IoTDB · 9.3/10
  • Free planonly TimescaleDB
  • Most featuresApache IoTDB · 3 of 3

Apache IoTDB scores higher on our rubric for time-series databases: 9.3 against 7.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #11.

Apache IoTDB is the better fit for ioT data with SQL and many ingestion options. TimescaleDB is the better fit for postgreSQL teams needing time-series capabilities.

  • Apache IoTDB fits best

    IoT data with SQL and many ingestion options

  • TimescaleDB fits best

    PostgreSQL teams needing time-series capabilities

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Side by side

Feature Apache IoTDB 9.3/10 Visit ↗ TimescaleDB 7.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.3 7.9
Ranking #1 in Time-Series Databases #11 in Time-Series Databases
Best for IoT data with SQL and many ingestion options PostgreSQL teams needing time-series capabilities
Pricing model Free Free plan + paid
Starting price Open source $30/GB/mo
Free plan Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Self-hosted, Desktop Cloud, Self-hosted
Platforms Web, Windows, Linux Web, Linux
Support Community, Docs Email, Tickets, Community, Docs · 24/7
Integrations 4 integrations 10 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Apache IoTDB 3/3 · TimescaleDB 1/3
SQL support ✓ ✓
Retention policies ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Horizontal scaling ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Specs
Deployment Both Not checked yet
Query languages IoTDB-SQL; Tree Mode SQL; Table Mode SQL Not checked yet
Ingestion methods INSERT SQL; Java JDBC; Java, C++, Python, and Go native APIs; REST API; MQTT; CSV; TsFile Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • High-throughput real-time and batch ingestion across multiple interfaces
  • SQL with tree and table models, filtering, aggregation, and grouping
  • TTL retention, cluster scaling, and broad analytics integrations
  • Hypertables add automatic time- or ID-based partitioning
  • Combines row, columnar, compression and continuous aggregates
  • Supports PostgreSQL tooling, pgvector and broad data integrations
Cons
  • Self-managed deployment places operations and maintenance on the organization
  • Uses IoTDB SQL dialects rather than a single conventional SQL model
  • Its broad ingestion and integration surface may exceed smaller IoT projects
  • Tiger Cloud billing combines compute with separate storage charges
  • Enterprise pricing is custom rather than publicly listed
  • Advanced capabilities require PostgreSQL familiarity
Our verdict

Apache IoTDB is an open-source, IoT-native time-series database for organizations managing large volumes of device and sensor data. It suits industrial use cases across energy, transportation, aerospace, manufacturing, and general IoT…

Read the review →

TimescaleDB extends PostgreSQL for applications that ingest, store and analyze time-series and operational data alongside relational records. It is aimed at teams that want SQL compatibility, existing PostgreSQL clients and drivers, and…

Read the review →
  1. Apache IoTDBTime-Series Databases 9.3Open source
  2. TimescaleDBTime-Series Databases 7.9Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Apache IoTDB — where it wins

    • High-throughput real-time and batch ingestion across multiple interfaces
    • SQL with tree and table models, filtering, aggregation, and grouping
    • TTL retention, cluster scaling, and broad analytics integrations

    Where it doesn't

    • Self-managed deployment places operations and maintenance on the organization
    • Uses IoTDB SQL dialects rather than a single conventional SQL model
    • Its broad ingestion and integration surface may exceed smaller IoT projects

  • TimescaleDB — where it wins

    • Hypertables add automatic time- or ID-based partitioning
    • Combines row, columnar, compression and continuous aggregates
    • Supports PostgreSQL tooling, pgvector and broad data integrations

    Where it doesn't

    • Tiger Cloud billing combines compute with separate storage charges
    • Enterprise pricing is custom rather than publicly listed
    • Advanced capabilities require PostgreSQL familiarity

More comparisons

All Time-Series databases comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update