Alternatives / InfluxDB
Looking for an open source InfluxDB alternative? We compared 6 open source time-series databases by license, ingestion speed, query language, and maintenance. TimescaleDB keeps you in PostgreSQL, VictoriaMetrics suits Prometheus metrics, and TDengine and Apache IoTDB target industrial IoT.
Written by Maxime DERAME
Last updated:
| Alternative | Best for | License |
|---|---|---|
| TDengine | Industrial time-series with stream processing | AGPL-3.0 |
| TimescaleDB | PostgreSQL extension for time-series | Apache-2.0 + Timescale License |
| VictoriaMetrics | Prometheus-compatible metrics database | Apache-2.0 |
| QuestDB | Very fast ingestion with SQL | Apache-2.0 |
| GreptimeDB | Metrics, logs, and traces together | Apache-2.0 |
| Apache IoTDB | Industrial IoT with edge-cloud sync | Apache-2.0 |
We looked for open-source databases that store and query time-stamped data like InfluxDB. We verified each project's license, recent activity, stars, and self-hosting in its repository, and flag features reserved for paid editions. See our methodology for the full criteria.
VictoriaMetrics is a Prometheus-compatible metrics database with MetricsQL, long-term retention, and a single-binary deployment. QuestDB focuses on high ingestion throughput with SQL over the PostgreSQL wire protocol, and GreptimeDB unifies metrics, logs, and traces with SQL and PromQL.
TimescaleDB is a PostgreSQL extension that adds time-based partitioning, continuous aggregates, and compression while staying fully compatible with PostgreSQL.
TDengine is a time-series database for industrial data with stream processing and connectors such as MQTT, OPC, and Kafka. Apache IoTDB is built for industrial IoT with high-throughput writes and edge-to-cloud sync.
TimescaleDB is Apache-2.0 with some features under the separate Timescale License. VictoriaMetrics keeps multi-tenancy, anomaly detection, and downsampling in an enterprise edition. TDengine is AGPL-3.0.
VictoriaMetrics, QuestDB, GreptimeDB, and Apache IoTDB are Apache-2.0. TimescaleDB is Apache-2.0 plus the Timescale License. TDengine is AGPL-3.0.
All six had commits within days of this update.
InfluxDB's open-source edition has changed significantly between major versions and its clustering and some features are in commercial editions. Alternatives differ in query language and licensing, so check the version you need to run and which features are open.
TDengine is an AGPL-3.0 time-series database designed for industrial IoT, with data subscription, stream processing, and connectors for protocols such as MQTT, OPC, and Kafka. Its industrial focus matters if you need a general-purpose tool.
Pricing: Free open-source edition; enterprise and cloud editions are paid.
TimescaleDB is a PostgreSQL extension for time-series data with automatic partitioning, hybrid row and columnar storage, compression of up to 95 percent, continuous aggregates, and about 200 time-series SQL functions. Code outside its tsl directory is Apache-2.0, and the tsl directory is under the source-available Timescale License.
Pricing: Free community edition; managed cloud is paid.
VictoriaMetrics is a fast, cost-effective time series database compatible with Prometheus, with MetricsQL, long-term retention, high-cardinality handling, OpenTelemetry support, and single-binary or cluster deployment. An enterprise tier adds extra features.
Pricing: Free open source; paid enterprise tier.
QuestDB is an Apache-2.0 time-series database focused on fast ingestion and fast SQL queries, with the PostgreSQL wire protocol and Grafana and Pandas integrations. Its throughput figures are the vendor's own.
Pricing: Free open-source edition; enterprise features are paid.
GreptimeDB is a cloud-native observability database unifying metrics, logs, and traces with SQL, PromQL, and streaming support, sub-second queries, OpenTelemetry-native ingestion, and deployment from ARM edge devices to the cloud.
Pricing: Free open source; managed cloud pricing available.
Apache IoTDB is an Apache-2.0 time-series database built for industrial IoT workloads, with high-throughput writes, high compression, edge-to-cloud synchronization, and integrations with Hadoop, Spark, Flink, and Grafana.
Pricing: Free and open source.
| Alternative | Type | License | Query language | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TDengine | Time-series DB | AGPL-3.0 | SQL | Industrial IoT |
| TimescaleDB | Time-series DB | Apache-2.0 + Timescale License | SQL | Teams on PostgreSQL |
| VictoriaMetrics | Metrics DB | Apache-2.0 (+ paid enterprise) | MetricsQL / PromQL | Monitoring metrics |
| QuestDB | Time-series DB | Apache-2.0 | SQL | High-throughput data |
| GreptimeDB | Observability DB | Apache-2.0 | SQL and PromQL | Unified observability |
| Apache IoTDB | Time-series DB | Apache-2.0 | SQL-like | IoT deployments |
Want to stay in PostgreSQL
TimescaleDB extends PostgreSQL with time partitioning and continuous aggregates.
Want to replace Prometheus-style metrics storage
VictoriaMetrics is Prometheus-compatible with long-term retention in a single binary.
Need very high ingestion speed
QuestDB focuses on high ingestion throughput and SQL.
Run industrial or IoT workloads
TDengine adds stream processing and industrial connectors, under AGPL-3.0.