Firebolt
Firebolt is an open-source analytical database for engineers that uses Postgres-compatible SQL.
What Firebolt is
Firebolt is an open-source analytical database for engineers that uses Postgres-compatible SQL. It can run as a single binary on a laptop or as a cluster in a customer's cloud; deployment choices also include a Helm chart, Kubernetes Operator and fully managed service. Firebolt is designed for sub-second query latency and high-concurrency analytics, and supports Apache Iceberg and DuckLake using open storage standards. The self-hosted Firebolt Core plan is free forever with no usage limits, but it cannot be used to build a hosted SaaS product competing with Firebolt's managed service. Managed compute is billed per second and supports scale-to-zero, auto-start, auto-stop and auto-scaling; object storage is passed through at $0.0264 / GB·mo. The managed service includes $200 in free credits. Firebolt also offers AI query and embedding features, vector search, an MCP Server and a preview agent. Self-managed deployments are generally available on AWS and GCP and in preview on Azure; the managed service is currently offered on AWS only.
Good
- Uses Postgres-compatible SQL.
- Offers a free self-hosted plan with no usage limits.
- Supports Apache Iceberg and DuckLake.
- Managed compute includes auto-scaling and scale-to-zero.
- Includes $200 in managed-service credits.
Watch out
- Managed service is currently offered on AWS only.
- Airflow 3.x is not supported.
- Delta Lake is not natively supported.
- The free plan cannot power a competing hosted SaaS.
Who it suits
Firebolt may suit engineers building analytics systems who want a self-managed or managed deployment. Teams should consider its cloud availability and the stated limitations around Airflow and Delta Lake.
Verdict
Firebolt provides both self-managed and managed database deployments, with options ranging from a single binary to a cloud cluster. Check the deployment restrictions and integrations against your intended setup.
Plans and prices
From Firebolt's own pricing page, checked 30 Sep 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Firebolt Core | Free | self-hosted · no usage limits · cannot be used to build a hosted SaaS competing with Firebolt managed service · free forever |
The facts
Each one read from Firebolt's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- 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.checked 30 Sep 2026
- 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.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Deployment
- It runs as a single binary on a laptop or as a cluster of hundreds of nodes in your own cloud.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Deployment models
- Firebolt offers a zero-dependency single binary, Helm chart, Kubernetes Operator, and fully managed service.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Integrations
- It integrates with Looker, Tableau, Power BI, Postgres-compatible tools, Go, JDBC, .NET, Node.js, Python, Rust, SQLAlchemy, and REST API clients.checked 30 Sep 2026
- 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.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Notable limits
- The native dbt adapter supports dbt Core only, Airflow 3.x is not supported, and Delta Lake is not natively supported.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Performance
- Firebolt is designed for sub-second query latency and low-latency, high-concurrency analytics.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Product
- Firebolt is a high-performance, open-source analytical database for engineers with Postgres-compatible SQL.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Security
- Firebolt lists SOC 2 Type II, ISO 27001, ISO 27018, HIPAA support, GDPR alignment, MFA, RBAC, and encryption in transit and at rest.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Storage
- The platform supports Apache Iceberg and DuckLake and uses open storage standards.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Support
- The pricing page lists audit logs, metrics, and support as managed-service capabilities.checked 30 Sep 2026
Where it runs
- Data platforms
- Supported integrations include dbt Core, Airflow 2.x, Confluent Kafka, Apache Iceberg catalogs, Databricks Unity Catalog, Snowflake Open Catalog, and AWS Glue.checked 30 Sep 2026
The company
- Founded
- 2019checked 28 Sep 2026
Money
- Free credits
- The managed service includes $200 free credits.checked 30 Sep 2026
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