Best Time-Series Databases in 2026
Updated
In short: InfluxDB is ranked #1 of 33 as of 3 October 2026, ahead of QuestDB and TDengine. The best-ranked option with a free plan is QuestDB. The lowest first paid tier on this page is TimescaleDB at $30/mo.
When choosing a time-series database, start with how data enters your system and how you need to query and retain it. The ranking compares deployment, ingestion methods, query languages and SQL support, alongside horizontal scaling and retention policies. Free-plan availability and paid starting prices add cost context. InfluxDB, QuestDB and TDengine are among the first entries, with DolphinDB and GreptimeDB also near the top. Consider how those listed capabilities fit your existing stack and data lifecycle, from ingestion through long-term access. The entries are ordered, so the comparison criteria can help you assess the options against the demands of your workloads.
33 time-series databases ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
| # | Platform | Score | Why | From | Free plan | Paid from | Deployment | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | InfluxDB | 9.0 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | Yes | — | both | View |
| 2 | QuestDB | 8.7 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | Free | Yes | — | both | View |
| 3 | TDengine | 8.7 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | $281.25/mo | Yes | — | both | View |
| 4 |  DolphinDB | 8.6 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | Free | Yes | — | both | View |
| 5 |  GreptimeDB | 8.5 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | $290/mo | Yes | 290 /mo | both | View |
| 6 | VictoriaMetrics | 8.5 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | $200/mo | Yes | — | both | View |
| 7 | TimescaleDB | 7.5 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | $30/mo | Yes | 30 /mo | both | View |
| 8 | LinDB | 7.4 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | Free | — | — | self_hosted | View |
| 9 | Prometheus | 6.9 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | Free | Yes | — | self_hosted | View |
| 10 | Apache IoTDB | 6.3 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | — | — | both | View |
| 11 |  Axibase Time Series Database | 6.3 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | Yes | — | both | View |
| 12 | Amazon Timestream | 6.2 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | No | — | cloud | View |
| 13 | TimeBase | 6.2 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | Yes | — | both | View |
| 14 | TimechoDB | 6.1 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | — | — | both | View |
| 15 | CnosDB | 6.0 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | — | — | both | View |
| 16 | kdb+ | 6.0 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | — | — | both | View |
| 17 | M3 | 5.9 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | — | — | self_hosted | View |
| 18 |  OpenTSDB | 5.9 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | Yes | — | self_hosted | View |
| 19 | openGemini | 5.7 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | — | — | self_hosted | View |
| 20 |  Cortex | 5.7 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | — | — | self_hosted | View |
| 21 | Graphite | 5.6 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | — | — | self_hosted | View |
| 22 | SiriDB | 5.6 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | Yes | — | both | View |
| 23 |  KairosDB | 5.4 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | — | — | self_hosted | View |
| 24 | Gnocchi | 5.4 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | — | — | self_hosted | View |
| 25 |  Netflix Atlas | 5.4 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | — | — | self_hosted | View |
Is your platform on this list?
Numbered spots on this list can be sponsored. They are labelled, and the editorial order and scores never change for payment.
Questions about this list
Which time-series database is ranked first on Inferse?
InfluxDB is ranked #1 of 33 with a score of 9.0. QuestDB is second and TDengine third.
How many of these have a free plan?
7 of the 25 on this page publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
Which is the cheapest paid option?
On this page, TimescaleDB has the lowest first paid tier we found: $30/mo.
How is this list ranked?
Ranked on what each maker publishes, open and connectable first: a public API, open-source code, the depth of its documentation and a free tier to try it on. Model lists are sorted by the figure in their title, exactly as each provider publishes it. Paid placements never change a rank.