Firebolt
firebolt.io
What it is
Firebolt is an open-source analytical database for engineers, with Postgres-compatible SQL and options for self-managed or managed deployment. It can run as a single binary on a laptop or scale to a cluster of hundreds of nodes in a customer’s cloud. Firebolt is designed for sub-second query latency and high-concurrency analytics, and supports Apache Iceberg and DuckLake using open storage standards. Deployment choices include a single binary, Helm chart, Kubernetes Operator, and managed service. Firebolt Core is free forever for self-hosted use, with no usage limits; it cannot be used to build a hosted SaaS that competes with Firebolt’s managed service. Managed compute is billed per second, with scale-to-zero, automatic start and stop, and autoscaling. Object storage is pass-through at $0.0264 / GB·mo, and the managed service includes $200 free credits. AI capabilities include query and embedding functions, vector search, an MCP Server, and a preview agent. Self-managed availability includes AWS and GCP, with Azure in preview; the managed service is currently AWS-only.
Spec sheet
- Product
- Firebolt is a high-performance, open-source analytical database for engineers with Postgres-compatible SQL.Read 30 Sep 2026 · firebolt.io
- Deployment
- It runs as a single binary on a laptop or as a cluster of hundreds of nodes in your own cloud.Read 30 Sep 2026 · firebolt.io
- Integrations
- It integrates with Looker, Tableau, Power BI, Postgres-compatible tools, Go, JDBC, .NET, Node.js, Python, Rust, SQLAlchemy, and REST API clients.Read 30 Sep 2026 · firebolt.io
- Security
- Firebolt lists SOC 2 Type II, ISO 27001, ISO 27018, HIPAA support, GDPR alignment, MFA, RBAC, and encryption in transit and at rest.Read 30 Sep 2026 · firebolt.io
- Support
- The pricing page lists audit logs, metrics, and support as managed-service capabilities.Read 30 Sep 2026 · firebolt.io
- Founded
- 2019Read 28 Sep 2026 · firebolt.io
- AI features
- Firebolt supports AI_QUERY, AWS_BEDROCK_AI_QUERY, AI_EMBED_TEXT, HNSW vector indexes, VECTOR_SEARCH, an MCP Server, and a preview Firebolt Agent.Read 30 Sep 2026 · firebolt.io
- Cloud availability
- Self-managed Firebolt is generally available on AWS and GCP and in preview on Azure; the fully managed service is currently offered on AWS only.Read 30 Sep 2026 · firebolt.io
- Data platforms
- Supported integrations include dbt Core, Airflow 2.x, Confluent Kafka, Apache Iceberg catalogs, Databricks Unity Catalog, Snowflake Open Catalog, and AWS Glue.Read 30 Sep 2026 · firebolt.io
- Deployment models
- Firebolt offers a zero-dependency single binary, Helm chart, Kubernetes Operator, and fully managed service.Read 30 Sep 2026 · firebolt.io
- Free credits
- The managed service includes $200 free credits.Read 30 Sep 2026 · firebolt.io
- Managed pricing
- Managed compute is billed per second, with scale-to-zero, auto-start, auto-stop, and auto-scaling; object storage is pass-through at $0.0264 / GB·mo.Read 30 Sep 2026 · firebolt.io
- Notable limits
- The native dbt adapter supports dbt Core only, Airflow 3.x is not supported, and Delta Lake is not natively supported.Read 30 Sep 2026 · firebolt.io
- Performance
- Firebolt is designed for sub-second query latency and low-latency, high-concurrency analytics.Read 30 Sep 2026 · firebolt.io
- Storage
- The platform supports Apache Iceberg and DuckLake and uses open storage standards.Read 30 Sep 2026 · firebolt.io
Plans and prices
Strong points and limits
Strong points
- Free self-hosted Core plan has no usage limits.
- Runs as a binary or a large cluster.
- Supports Apache Iceberg and DuckLake.
- Managed compute supports scale-to-zero and autoscaling.
- Lists broad security controls and certifications.
Limits
- Managed service is currently AWS-only.
- Azure self-managed availability is in preview.
- No native Delta Lake support.
- Airflow 3.x is not supported.
Who it suits
Firebolt suits engineers building analytical workloads who want Postgres-compatible SQL and a choice of self-managed or managed deployment. Its free self-hosted plan may suit teams that can operate their own infrastructure.
Verdict
Firebolt combines an unrestricted free self-hosted plan with managed compute and several deployment formats. Check cloud availability and the listed dbt, Airflow, and Delta Lake limits against your stack before choosing it.
Where Specifiction places it
- AWS Marketplace Software#6 of 318.0
- Cloud Analytics Solutions#7 of 298.2
- Data Warehouse Software#8 of 278.0
- Analytics Databases#13 of 318.0
- Query Engine Software#12 of 287.9
- OLAP Databases#14 of 307.9
- Columnar Databases#13 of 277.9
- Analytics Data#15 of 308.0
- Analytical Data Store Software#14 of 287.9
- OLAP Software#18 of 327.9
- Big Data Analytics Software#19 of 307.8