Apache Drill vs Google BigQuery

July 21, 2023 | Author: Michael Stromann
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Apache Drill
Schema-free SQL Query Engine for Hadoop, NoSQL and Cloud Storage. Get faster insights without the overhead (data loading, schema creation and maintenance, transformations, etc.). Analyze the multi-structured and nested data in non-relational datastores directly without transforming or restricting the data
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Google BigQuery
BigQuery is a serverless, highly-scalable, and cost-effective cloud data warehouse with an in-memory BI Engine and AI Platform built in.

Apache Drill and Google BigQuery are both powerful data processing platforms, but they have distinct differences that cater to different user needs. One key difference is their deployment model. Apache Drill is an open-source distributed SQL query engine that allows users to run SQL queries directly on various data sources, including Hadoop Distributed File System (HDFS), NoSQL databases, and cloud storage. It offers a schema-free approach, enabling users to query complex and nested data structures with ease. On the other hand, Google BigQuery is a fully managed cloud-based data warehouse offered by Google Cloud Platform. It is designed for analyzing large datasets using SQL-like queries, but its data is stored in Google's infrastructure, and users do not have to manage hardware or software configurations.

Another significant difference lies in their integration capabilities. Apache Drill provides seamless integration with a wide range of data sources, making it a versatile solution for organizations with diverse data environments. It allows users to directly query data from various storage systems without the need for data movement or duplication. On the contrary, Google BigQuery offers strong integration with other Google Cloud services, making it an attractive choice for organizations already invested in the Google Cloud ecosystem. BigQuery easily integrates with other GCP tools like Google Data Studio, Google Cloud Storage, and Google Cloud Dataflow, simplifying data analytics workflows for GCP users.

When it comes to cost, there are differences in their pricing models. Apache Drill is an open-source project and can be used without any licensing costs. However, users will need to manage the infrastructure and costs associated with their data sources. On the other hand, Google BigQuery operates on a pay-as-you-go model, where users are billed based on the amount of data processed and the number of queries executed. BigQuery's pricing structure includes costs for data storage, data querying, and data egress, which can be a consideration for organizations with significant data processing needs. The choice between Apache Drill and Google BigQuery will depend on factors like data complexity, integration requirements, infrastructure preference, and cost considerations, with Apache Drill offering more flexibility and versatility for organizations with diverse data sources and Google BigQuery providing a fully managed and cloud-based solution for GCP users with seamless integration capabilities.

See also: Top 10 Big Data platforms
Author: Michael Stromann
Michael is an expert in IT Service Management, IT Security and software development. With his extensive experience as a software developer and active involvement in multiple ERP implementation projects, Michael brings a wealth of practical knowledge to his writings. Having previously worked at SAP, he has honed his expertise and gained a deep understanding of software development and implementation processes. Currently, as a freelance developer, Michael continues to contribute to the IT community by sharing his insights through guest articles published on several IT portals. You can contact Michael by email stromann@liventerprise.com