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Head-to-head · Time-Series Databases

QuestDB vs TimescaleDB

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 checks side by side
Higher score QuestDB #9 in Time-Series Databases 8.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 3 features Visit QuestDB
TimescaleDB #11 in Time-Series Databases 7.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 3 features Visit TimescaleDB

QuestDB 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 scoreQuestDB · 8.4/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresQuestDB · 3 of 3

QuestDB scores higher on our rubric for time-series databases: 8.4 against 7.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #9 and #11.

QuestDB is the better fit for open-source SQL time-series deployments. TimescaleDB is the better fit for postgreSQL teams needing time-series capabilities.

  • QuestDB fits best

    Open-source SQL time-series deployments

  • TimescaleDB fits best

    PostgreSQL teams needing time-series capabilities

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Side by side

Feature QuestDB 8.4/10 Visit ↗ TimescaleDB 7.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.4 7.9
Ranking #9 in Time-Series Databases #11 in Time-Series Databases
Best for Open-source SQL time-series deployments PostgreSQL teams needing time-series capabilities
Pricing model Free Free plan + paid
Starting price Free plan $30/GB/mo
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Self-hosted, Browser extension Cloud, Self-hosted
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, Linux Web, Linux
Support Email, Community, Docs Email, Tickets, Community, Docs · 24/7
Compliance SOC 2, SSO/SAML SSO/SAML, HIPAA
Integrations 11 integrations 10 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features QuestDB 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 QuestDB SQL, PostgreSQL wire protocol, REST API, Apache Parquet Not checked yet
Ingestion methods QuestDB Wire Protocol, InfluxDB Line Protocol, REST API, native client libraries, SQL INSERT, Kafka connector, CSV import Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Apache 2.0 core with self-managed deployment
  • SQL extensions, retention policies, and materialized views
  • Integrates with Kafka, Grafana, Spark, and Parquet
  • Hypertables add automatic time- or ID-based partitioning
  • Combines row, columnar, compression and continuous aggregates
  • Supports PostgreSQL tooling, pgvector and broad data integrations
Cons
  • High availability and replication are Enterprise features
  • Enterprise pricing is contact-based
  • Self-managed deployment requires infrastructure ownership
  • Tiger Cloud billing combines compute with separate storage charges
  • Enterprise pricing is custom rather than publicly listed
  • Advanced capabilities require PostgreSQL familiarity
Our verdict

QuestDB is an open-source time-series database for financial market data, telemetry, and real-time analytics. It is aimed at teams that want SQL alongside time-series capabilities, with a column-oriented, time-partitioned storage engine…

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. QuestDBTime-Series Databases 8.4Free plan
  2. TimescaleDBTime-Series Databases 7.9Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • QuestDB — where it wins

    • Apache 2.0 core with self-managed deployment
    • SQL extensions, retention policies, and materialized views
    • Integrates with Kafka, Grafana, Spark, and Parquet

    Where it doesn't

    • High availability and replication are Enterprise features
    • Enterprise pricing is contact-based
    • Self-managed deployment requires infrastructure ownership

  • 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
  • QuestDB8.4/10 · Free plan

    A strong fit for teams wanting SQL, flexible ingestion, and self-managed time-series infrastructure.

    Visit QuestDBFull verdict →
  • TimescaleDB7.9/10 · Free plan

    A PostgreSQL-compatible time-series extension for teams needing relational and analytical workloads together.

    Visit TimescaleDBFull verdict →

All Time-Series databases comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update