Overview

Apache Drill is an open-source SQL engine for querying Hadoop, NoSQL databases and cloud storage. It is a strong fit for data teams and developers who want to explore or combine data across stores without first moving it into a new system. Its broad access model is valuable, but teams that depend on Hadoop 2 or Java 8 should account for the compatibility change in Drill 1.22.0.

Key features

Drill queries raw data where it resides, without requiring a prior load, schema definition or transformation. That makes it useful for exploratory queries across existing systems and reduces the need to stage data just to inspect it. It is less suited to workflows that require a prepared, managed data model before analysis.

Its JSON data model supports complex and nested structures. Supported sources include HBase, MongoDB, HDFS, Amazon S3, Azure Blob Storage, Google Cloud Storage, Swift, NAS and local files, and a single query can join data across datastores. This breadth helps when information is split across systems, though it makes verifying fit with the specific stores and runtime environment important.

JDBC and ODBC drivers connect BI tools including Tableau, Qlik, MicroStrategy, Spotfire, SAS and Excel. Developers can use the REST API to integrate Drill into custom applications. Columnar execution, runtime query compilation and recompilation, locality-aware execution, and a cost-based optimizer that can push processing into datastores give it several ways to handle distributed queries. These capabilities suit teams building on existing infrastructure, rather than buyers seeking a managed service.

Drill can run embedded on a laptop or distributed across a server cluster. Its security documentation covers Kerberos, username-and-password authentication through Plain or a custom authenticator, Digest authentication, authorization, impersonation, and encryption options for client-to-drillbit connections. The Apache License, Version 2.0, and an invitation to contribute make it an option for teams comfortable operating and extending open-source software.

Pricing

Apache Drill: 0.00 USD per free. The plan is downloadable software under the Apache License 2.0, with embedded or cluster deployment. It includes SQL querying and API access, making it suitable for teams that can host and manage the engine themselves. There is no paid tier to trade up to; the main cost is operating it in your own environment.

Platforms

Drill supports Linux, macOS and Windows, and can be self-hosted. Its API access supports custom application integrations. The choice between embedded laptop use and a server cluster allows teams to match deployment to the scale of their work.

Check version compatibility before adopting it: official support for Hadoop 2 and Java 8 was dropped with Drill 1.22.0. That is a material constraint for organizations whose existing stack still depends on either platform.

Who it's for

Drill is best for developers and data teams that need SQL access across Hadoop, NoSQL and cloud stores, especially when data is nested or spread across multiple systems. BI teams can connect through JDBC or ODBC, while application teams can use the REST API. It is a weaker fit for buyers who want a managed offering or cannot accommodate the Hadoop and Java compatibility boundary.

Pros and cons

Query data in place: Raw data can be queried without a preliminary load, schema definition or transformation.
Broad query access: Nested JSON support, multiple named source types and cross-datastore joins help with fragmented data estates.
Useful integration paths: JDBC and ODBC cover named BI tools, while the REST API serves custom applications.
Flexible deployment: Embedded and cluster modes support laptop exploration as well as distributed deployment.
Compatibility caveat: Official Hadoop 2 and Java 8 support ended with Drill 1.22.0, which may rule it out for older stacks.
Self-hosting responsibility: The free software avoids a license charge but requires the team to run it in its own environment.

Alternatives

Consider Teradata VantageCloud if a freemium platform with both API and web access is a better fit; its VantageCloud Lake Standard plan includes Teradata Database and ClearScape Analytics with Open Analytics Framework.

Denodo Platform is worth considering when a developer plan with defined capacity is useful: its free Developer plan offers one server, four cores, 50 data products and 2.5 TB/year, with unlimited data sources, consumers and Data Marketplace users.

Query Streams may suit teams whose needs fit a quota-based free plan, with 5 MB/month of query traffic, one data source, and limits on scheduled integration pushes and API or federated query rows.

Choose Starburst Galaxy if a hosted web option and managed clusters matter; its free plan allows up to three clusters in standard execution mode for ad hoc queries.

Teiid is another free open-source data virtualization project. PrestoDB is a free, self-hosted SQL query engine, while Spice.ai OSS is a free Apache 2.0-licensed self-hostable binary or Docker image.

Stardog is an alternative when its free plan's one-year renewable license and limits of one million stored edges and three databases fit the use case.

Explore more options in Data Virtualization Software, SQL Query Tools, Query Engine Software and Data Federation Software.

Verdict

Choose Apache Drill if you need a free, self-hosted SQL route to raw and nested data across existing stores, with both BI drivers and a developer API. Its strongest reason to choose it is the ability to query and join data in place; look elsewhere if your stack requires official Hadoop 2 or Java 8 support, or if you need a managed service.

	Apache Drill	Nexus
Free plan	Yes	No
Free trial	No	No
Paid from	Free	—
Open source	No	No
Platforms	api, Linux, macOS, self-hosted, Windows	Windows
Self-hosted	Yes	Yes
SQL querying	Yes	Yes
API access	Yes	—
Free plan	—	No
Scheduled queries	—	Yes

Apache Drill vs Nexus

Apache Drill

Nexus