Logo Features for DuckDB

Modified date: Monday, June 30, 2025

Table of Contents

Introduction

In its own words, "DuckDB is an in-process SQL OLAP database management system. Simple, feature-rich, fast & open source". It is currently ranked #45 in DB-Engine rankings.

▶️ Online Playground

General

FeatureValueDefinition
introDuckDB is an in-process SQL OLAP database management system. Simple, feature-rich, fast & open source.in their own words - but I reserved the rights to remove some bold claims like "the best", unless it is widely recognized.
vendorDuckDB Lab
initial release2018
latested version1.3.0 "Ossivalis"We don't put a release date here as the software is patching frequently. So tracking it is not much useful.
supported platformsall major OS (Linux, macOS, Windows) and CPU (x86, ARM)supported OS/CPU platforms
db-engines ranking45ranks from https://db-engines.com/en/ranking (06/25)
relational?yesIs it a relational database? (1) Most database are actually with some extensions, for example, nested data types, graph support, etc, which we usually called "multi-model". (2) Some of them are product family, meaning they have more than one database. Here we focus on the main one but explain others when needed.
open source?yesmainly the engine code
licenseMIT
price: box software

0

free download
on-premise offeringyesif no means you can't buy "box" software from them
cloud offering

yes: via MotherDuck

MotherDuck is a cloud data warehouse platform that builds on top of DuckDB, an open-source analytical database. It provides a managed, serverless environment for storing, sharing, and collaborating on data while offering features like cloud storage, a web-based SQL IDE, and hybrid query execution (combining local and cloud processing).
technical dochttps://duckdb.org/docs/stable/

SQL

FeatureValueDefinition
SQL: standard complaincehigh
Extension MechanismDuckDB Extensions

Storage and System

FeatureValueDefinition
arch: serverEmbeddedEmbedded or traditional C/S?
arch: run in browser?yesIt also known as a client-side database, is a database that is stored and managed within a user's web browser, rather than on a remote server.
ACID: durabilityyes
Materialized View: support?no

Benchmarking

FeatureValueDefinition
any official TPC benchmarks?noThe TPC benchmark includes a set of tests simulating real-world scenarios to evaluate database performance.

Tools

FeatureValueDefinition
command line clientduckdbit means "sql client" for database supporting SQL. For embedded atabase, the client includes the server together.

Export Regulations

FeatureValueDefinition
JurisdictionUSWhich country controls export
ECCNNoneAn Export Control Classification Number (ECCN) is a five-character alphanumeric code used to categorize items on the Commerce Control List (CCL) for export control purposes. Most database may fall into 5D992.c category, "mass market encryption", which means it has some ordinary encryption related code, for example, the SSL connection code.
Eligible License Exception / CCATSNot requiredA License Exception is an authorization that allows you to export or reexport items subject to the EAR without needing to obtain a specific export license, provided certain conditions are met. CCATS stands for Commodity Classification Automated Tracking System. The BIS assigns a CCATS number to products that it has classified under the Commerce Control List (CCL).
Encryption ComponentsSSLCrypto functionality that triggers control

Internal

FeatureValueDefinition
Implementation language

C++

The entire code base is starting from scratch, with emulation C/S layer to PostgreSQL. But implmentation is C++.		A DBMS may use mulitple programming languages, for example, supports its stored procedure. The major programming language used to implement the engine.

Internal - Optimizer

FeatureValueDefinition

Internal - Runtime

FeatureValueDefinition

Internal - Storage Engine

FeatureValueDefinition
ACID: durability mechanismWALHow is it implements durability. Database's classic way is write ahead logging (WAL).