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About Apache Druid
Apache Druid is a real-time analytics database designed for fast slice-and-dice analytics (OLAP queries) on large datasets. Built with a distributed, microservices architecture, Druid excels at sub-second queries on streaming and batch data with high concurrency support. It features specialized processes including Broker (query routing), Historical (immutable data storage), and Middle Manager (real-time ingestion) nodes. Druid stores data in time-partitioned segments within datasources and supports both SQL and native JSON APIs for querying.
GreptimeDB vs. Apache Druid
| Feature/Aspect | GreptimeDB | Apache Druid |
|---|---|---|
| Data Model | Unified Observability Database | Real-time OLAP Analytics Database |
| Value Model | Multi-Value (supports complex data structures) | Multi-Value (dimensions and metrics) |
| Multi-model Support | Metrics, Logs & Traces in one database | Primarily event/fact data for analytics |
| Query Languages | SQL & PromQL (dual interface) | SQL & Native JSON API |
| Ingestion Protocols | SQL gRPC InfluxDB Line Protocol Prometheus Remote Storage OpenTelemetry Loki Push API Elasticsearch Bulk API HTTP API | Kafka Kinesis Pulsar HTTP Batch files |
| Data Retention | Flexible TTL policies with tiered storage | Segment-based retention with automated expiration |
| Continuous Aggregation | Built-in SQL aggregation, Pipeline ETL engine & Flow streaming computation | Roll-ups and pre-aggregation at ingestion time |
| Deployment Complexity | Single system deployment | Complex multi-component deployment (Broker, Historical, Middle Manager) |
| Use Cases | Unified observability, real-time analytics, IoT monitoring, edge computing | Business intelligence, user-facing analytics, interactive dashboards |
| Architecture | Cloud-native distributed with compute-storage separation | Microservices architecture (Broker, Historical, Middle Manager) |
| Storage Format | Apache Parquet (columnar, compressed) | Time-partitioned segments in datasources |
| Storage Scalability | Object storage integration with unlimited capacity | Deep storage with automatic tier management |
| High Availability | Native clustering with automatic failover | Deep storage with coordinator-based failover |
| License | Apache 2.0 | Apache 2.0 |
| Written Language | Rust (memory safety, performance) | Java (ecosystem compatibility) |
| Deployment Options | Single-node, cluster, Kubernetes-native, edge-to-cloud with unified API | Multi-component deployment (brokers, historicals, coordinators) |
| Operational Complexity | Single unified system with simplified Kubernetes operations | Complex multi-service orchestration |
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