Apache Drill

Apache Drill is a free, open-source SQL query engine for Hadoop, NoSQL databases, and cloud storage. It can query raw data where it resides, without first loading it elsewhere, defining schemas, or transforming it. Its JSON data model supports complex and nested structures, and a single query can join data from multiple datastores. Listed sources include HBase, MongoDB, HDFS, Amazon S3, Azure Blob Storage, Google Cloud Storage, Swift, NAS, and local files. JDBC and ODBC drivers connect Drill to business intelligence tools such as Tableau, Qlik, MicroStrategy, Spotfire, SAS, and Excel. Developers can use its REST API in custom applications. Drill runs embedded on a laptop or distributed across a server cluster, and the project lists Linux, Mac, and Windows support. Documented security options include several authentication methods, authorization, and impersonation. The project is licensed under Apache License 2.0. The listed plan costs nothing. One compatibility consideration is that official support for Hadoop 2 and Java 8 ended with Drill 1.22.0.

Apache Drill provides a free way to query data in place and connect several kinds of sources to SQL and BI tools. Check its documented compatibility limits if your environment depends on Hadoop 2 or Java 8.

Apache Drill may suit developers and data teams that need SQL access to raw data across supported Hadoop, NoSQL, and cloud sources. It also fits users who want to connect supported BI tools through JDBC or ODBC.

Overview

Apache Drill is a schema-free SQL engine for querying Hadoop, NoSQL databases and cloud storage. It is best suited to data teams and developers who need to inspect or combine data across existing stores without first moving it into a new schema. Its breadth and deployment flexibility make it useful for that job, but environments still on Hadoop 2 or Java 8 need particular care.

Key features

Drill queries raw data where it resides, without requiring a prior load, schema creation or transformation. That makes it a strong fit for ad hoc exploration across varied systems; it does not eliminate preparation work when a downstream workflow depends on transformed data.

Its JSON data model can handle complex and nested structures. Supported sources include HBase, MongoDB, HDFS, Amazon S3, Azure Blob Storage, Google Cloud Storage, Swift, NAS and local files, and one query can join data across multiple datastores. That reach is valuable when information is spread across systems, though it also makes connector and deployment compatibility central to the decision.

JDBC and ODBC drivers let tools such as Tableau, Qlik, MicroStrategy, Spotfire, SAS and Excel connect to Drill. Developers can use its REST API in custom applications. Columnar execution, runtime query compilation and recompilation, locality-aware execution, and a cost-based optimizer that can push processing into datastores give teams several ways to work across distributed data without making a separate copy first.

Drill can run embedded on a laptop or in distributed mode across a server cluster. Its documented security options include Kerberos, username-and-password authentication through Plain or a custom authenticator, Digest, authorization controls, user impersonation and client-to-drillbit encryption with Kerberos; SSL/TLS configuration is also documented. This provides security mechanisms for different deployments, but teams should confirm that the available options fit their own requirements.

Pricing

Apache Drill is free, with a free plan under the Apache License 2.0. The downloadable software supports embedded or cluster deployment, SQL querying and API access. There is no paid tier to trade features for a lower price, and no free trial is needed; users take on deployment and compatibility decisions themselves. The project welcomes contributions and directs questions to its drill-dev mailing list.

Platforms

Drill supports API access and self-hosted deployment on Linux, macOS and Windows. Its laptop-embedded option suits individual exploration, while cluster mode is the fit for distributed server deployments. Official support for Hadoop 2 and Java 8 ended with Drill 1.22.0, so organizations relying on either should verify their upgrade path before adopting a newer release.

Who it's for

Apache Drill is a good choice for developers and data teams who want SQL access to raw, nested data across Hadoop, NoSQL and cloud storage, especially when they need cross-source joins or connections to established BI tools. It is less suitable for organizations that need continued official support for Hadoop 2 or Java 8, or that want a managed service rather than software they deploy themselves.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Queries data in place, avoiding a mandatory load, schema-creation or transformation step for exploration.
• Pros: Joins multiple datastores and supports nested JSON, with BI drivers and a REST API for analysis and application integration.
• Pros: Free, open-source software can run on a laptop or across a server cluster.
• Cons: Official support for Hadoop 2 and Java 8 was dropped with Drill 1.22.0, making those environments a compatibility concern.
• Cons: Self-hosted deployment means teams must choose and operate their own deployment environment.

Alternatives

Consider Teradata VantageCloud if you want a freemium option with a free plan and trial; its listed Standard plan has custom pricing.

Denodo Platform offers a free Developer plan with a single server, four cores, 50 data products and 2.5 TB per year, so it is an alternative when those stated limits suit your workload.

Query Streams has a free tier capped at 5 MB of monthly query traffic and one data source, making it an option for small-scale use within those limits.

Choose Starburst Galaxy if its free plan's up-to-three clusters and standard execution mode for ad hoc queries fit your needs.

Teiid is another free, open-source data virtualization project for self-hosted use.

PrestoDB is a free, self-hosted SQL query engine to consider as another option for running queries on your own infrastructure.

Spice.ai OSS is a free Apache 2.0-licensed alternative distributed as a self-hostable binary or Docker image.

Stardog has a free tier with up to 1 million stored edges and three databases, an option if those limits match your needs.

Browse Data Virtualization Software, Data Federation Software, Query Engine Software and SQL Query Tools for related categories.

Verdict

Apache Drill is a strong fit for developers and data teams who need free, self-hosted SQL access to data across multiple existing stores, particularly when nested data, cross-source joins or BI connectivity matter. Its defining advantage is querying in place; look elsewhere if your environment depends on officially supported Hadoop 2 or Java 8, or if you do not want to operate the deployment yourself.