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Apache Drill

drill.apache.org

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Spec score 9.0 #1 of 24 in Data Federation Software

What it is

Apache Drill is a schema-free SQL query engine for Hadoop, NoSQL databases, and cloud storage. It can query raw data where it resides without first loading it, defining schemas, or transforming it. Its JSON data model supports complex and nested structures, and a single query can join data across 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 tools including Tableau, Qlik, MicroStrategy, Spotfire, SAS, and Excel; developers can also use its REST API in custom applications. Drill can run embedded on a laptop or in distributed mode on a server cluster, and the homepage lists Mac, Windows, and Linux. Documented security options include Kerberos, username and password authentication, Digest, authorization, and impersonation. The software is free under Apache License 2.0. A compatibility limit: official support for Hadoop 2 and Java 8 was dropped with Drill 1.22.0.

Spec sheet

What it does
Apache Drill is a schema-free SQL query engine for Hadoop, NoSQL databases, and cloud storage.Read 3 Oct 2026 · drill.apache.org
Purpose
Apache Drill is a schema-free SQL query engine for Hadoop, NoSQL and cloud storage.Read 3 Oct 2026 · drill.apache.org
Deployment
Drill can run embedded on a laptop or in distributed mode on a cluster of servers.Read 3 Oct 2026 · drill.apache.org
Security
Documented security features include Kerberos, username and password authentication, Digest authentication, authorization and user impersonation.Read 3 Oct 2026 · drill.apache.org
Support
The project directs questions to its drill-dev mailing list and welcomes contributions.Read 3 Oct 2026 · drill.apache.org
License
The Apache Drill site identifies the project as licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0.Read 3 Oct 2026 · drill.apache.org
Authentication
Documented authentication options include Kerberos, username and password through Plain or a custom authenticator, and Digest.Read 3 Oct 2026 · drill.apache.org
Authorization and impersonation
Drill documents authorization to restrict authenticated users' capabilities and impersonation to run queries on behalf of a client.Read 3 Oct 2026 · drill.apache.org
BI connections
Drill provides JDBC and ODBC drivers for tools including Tableau, Qlik, MicroStrategy, Spotfire, SAS and Excel.Read 3 Oct 2026 · drill.apache.org
BI integrations
The site names Tableau, Qlik, MicroStrategy, Spotfire, SAS, and Excel as tools that can connect using Drill's JDBC and ODBC drivers.Read 3 Oct 2026 · drill.apache.org
Complex data
Its JSON data model supports queries on complex and nested data structures.Read 3 Oct 2026 · drill.apache.org
Cross-source queries
A single query can join data from multiple datastores.Read 3 Oct 2026 · drill.apache.org
Data sources
The site lists support for sources including HBase, MongoDB, HDFS, Amazon S3, Azure Blob Storage, Google Cloud Storage, Swift, NAS, and local files.Read 3 Oct 2026 · drill.apache.org
Developer API
Developers can use Drill's REST API in custom applications.Read 3 Oct 2026 · drill.apache.org
Developer interface
Developers can use Drill's REST API from custom applications.Read 3 Oct 2026 · drill.apache.org
Encryption
The security documentation describes client-to-drillbit encryption with Kerberos and links to SSL/TLS encryption configuration.Read 3 Oct 2026 · drill.apache.org
Execution features
The site describes columnar execution, runtime query compilation and recompilation, locality-aware execution, and a cost-based optimizer that can push processing into datastores.Read 3 Oct 2026 · drill.apache.org
Nested data
Its JSON data model supports queries on complex and nested data structures.Read 3 Oct 2026 · drill.apache.org
Notable limit
Official support for Hadoop 2 and Java 8 was dropped with Drill 1.22.0.Read 3 Oct 2026 · drill.apache.org
Operating systems
The homepage says Drill runs on Mac, Windows, and Linux.Read 3 Oct 2026 · drill.apache.org
Query in place
Drill lets users query raw data in place without first loading it, creating schemas, or transforming it.Read 3 Oct 2026 · drill.apache.org
Querying
It lets users query raw data in place without first loading it, creating schemas or transforming it.Read 3 Oct 2026 · drill.apache.org
Release compatibility
The download page says official support for Hadoop 2 and Java 8 was dropped with Drill 1.22.0.Read 3 Oct 2026 · drill.apache.org

Plans and prices

Apache Drill Free Apache License 2.0 · downloadable software · embedded or cluster deployment Read 3 Oct 2026 · drill.apache.org

Every Apache Drill plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Queries raw data in place without schema creation.
  • A single query can join multiple datastores.
  • Includes JDBC, ODBC, and REST interfaces.
  • Can run embedded or in distributed mode.
  • Free under Apache License 2.0.

Limits

  • Official support for Hadoop 2 was dropped with Drill 1.22.0.
  • Official support for Java 8 was dropped with Drill 1.22.0.
  • The project directs questions to its drill-dev mailing list.

Who it suits

Drill suits teams that want to query data across varied stores without first loading or transforming it. It is also relevant to developers and BI users who can connect through its REST API or JDBC and ODBC drivers.

Verdict

Apache Drill offers a free way to query varied data sources in place, with embedded and cluster deployment options. Check the Hadoop and Java compatibility change before choosing it for an existing environment.

Where Specifiction places it

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