Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Apache Drill VS Apache Hive

Compare Apache Drill VS Apache Hive and see what are their differences

Apache Drill logo Apache Drill

Schema-Free SQL Query Engine for Hadoop and NoSQL

Apache Hive logo Apache Hive

Apache Hive data warehouse software facilitates querying and managing large datasets residing in distributed storage.
  • Apache Drill Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-06-17
  • Apache Hive Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-01-13

Apache Drill features and specs

  • Schema-Free JSON Querying
    Apache Drill is designed to handle schema-less data, allowing users to query JSON and other flexible schemas without needing pre-defined structures. This flexibility makes it ideal for exploring semi-structured data on the fly.
  • SQL Interface
    Drill offers a user-friendly SQL interface, making it accessible for users familiar with traditional SQL databases. This allows professionals to leverage their existing SQL skills to interact with big data ecosystems.
  • High Performance
    With its ability to efficiently process queries on large datasets, Apache Drill is optimized for high-performance analytics and interactive queries, making it suitable for rapid insights and data exploration.
  • Integration with Multiple Data Sources
    Apache Drill can natively connect to a wide variety of data sources, including Hadoop, NoSQL databases, and cloud storage systems. This integration provides a unified view of diverse datasets without extensive ETL processes.
  • Dynamic Query Optimization
    Drill performs on-the-fly query optimization based on the available data and resource conditions, helping ensure efficient query execution and reduced latency.

Possible disadvantages of Apache Drill

  • Memory Intensive
    Apache Drill can be memory-intensive, especially when handling complex queries or very large datasets. This requires substantial hardware resources for optimal performance, which can be cost-prohibitive.
  • Lack of Mature Support and Community
    Compared to some other open-source projects, Apache Drill does not have as extensive a support network or community. This can make troubleshooting and finding community-driven solutions more challenging.
  • Limited Built-in Security Features
    While Apache Drill supports authentication and encryption, it lacks more granular access controls and advanced security features found in some competing platforms, posing potential risks in highly regulated environments.
  • Steep Learning Curve for Modifications
    For users wanting to extend or modify Apache Drill's capabilities beyond its core functions, the learning curve can be steep due to its architecture and the need for in-depth technical knowledge.
  • Updates and Active Development
    Although Apache Drill is actively developed, the pace of updates may not be as rapid or extensive as newer systems, which might delay the adoption of the latest data processing features and technologies.

Apache Hive features and specs

  • Scalability
    Apache Hive is built on top of Hadoop, allowing it to efficiently handle large datasets by distributing the load across a cluster of machines.
  • SQL-like Interface
    Hive provides a familiar SQL-like querying language, HiveQL, which makes it easier for users with SQL knowledge to perform data analysis on large datasets without needing to learn a new syntax.
  • Integration with Hadoop Ecosystem
    Hive integrates seamlessly with other components of the Hadoop ecosystem such as HDFS for storage and MapReduce for processing, making it a versatile tool for big data processing.
  • Schema on Read
    Hive uses a schema-on-read model which allows it to work with flexible data schemas and handle unstructured or semi-structured data efficiently.
  • Extensibility
    Users can extend Hive's capabilities by writing custom UDFs (User Defined Functions), UDAFs (User Defined Aggregate Functions), and SerDes (Serializers/ Deserializers).

Possible disadvantages of Apache Hive

  • Latency in Query Processing
    Queries in Hive often take longer to execute compared to traditional databases, as they are converted to MapReduce jobs which can introduce significant latency.
  • Limited Real-time Processing
    Hive is designed for batch processing and is not suitable for real-time analytics due to its reliance on MapReduce, which is not optimized for low-latency operations.
  • Complex Configuration
    Setting up Hive and configuring it to work optimally within a Hadoop cluster can be complex and require a significant amount of effort and expertise.
  • Lack of Support for Transactions
    Hive does not natively support full ACID transactions, which can be a limitation for applications that require consistent transaction management across large datasets.
  • Dependency on Hadoop
    Hive's reliance on the Hadoop ecosystem means it inherits some of Hadoop's limitations, such as a steep learning curve and the need for substantial resources to manage a cluster.

Apache Drill videos

Using Apache Drill

More videos:

  • Review - Drilling into Data with Apache Drill
  • Review - Apache Drill and the Coolness of Big JSON - Jonathan Janos (MapR)

Apache Hive videos

Hive vs Impala - Comparing Apache Hive vs Apache Impala

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Apache Drill and Apache Hive)
Databases
25 25%
75% 75
Relational Databases
25 25%
75% 75
Big Data
0 0%
100% 100
Database Management
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Apache Hive should be more popular than Apache Drill. It has been mentiond 8 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Apache Drill mentions (3)

  • Git Query Language (GQL) Aggregation Functions, Groups, Alias
    Also are you familiar with apache drill . The idea is to put an SQL interpreter in front of any kind of database just like you are doing for git here. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Roapi: An API Server for Static Datasets
    Looks super interesting and potentially useful. Curious how it compares with Apache Drill (https://drill.apache.org/). - Source: Hacker News / over 3 years ago
  • Does Java have an open source package that can execute SQL on txt/csv?
    Check out Apache Drill: https://drill.apache.org/. Source: over 3 years ago

Apache Hive mentions (8)

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What are some alternatives?

When comparing Apache Drill and Apache Hive, you can also consider the following products

Apache Doris - Apache Doris is an open-source real-time data warehouse for big data analytics.

Open PostgreSQL Monitoring - Oversee and Manage Your PostgreSQL Servers

ClickHouse - ClickHouse is an open-source column-oriented database management system that allows generating analytical data reports in real time.

ReactiveMongo - Non-blocking, Reactive MongoDB Driver for Scala

Apache Spark - Apache Spark is an engine for big data processing, with built-in modules for streaming, SQL, machine learning and graph processing.

StarRocks - StarRocks offers the next generation of real-time SQL engines for enterprise-scale analytics. Learn how we make it easy to deliver real-time analytics.