OpenTSDB
OpenTSDB is a free, self-hosted time-series database that stores and serves large volumes of data while preserving its supplied granularity.
What OpenTSDB is
OpenTSDB is a free, self-hosted time-series database that stores and serves large volumes of data while preserving its supplied granularity. It supports millisecond precision and data can be retained indefinitely. Built on Hadoop and HBase, it can scale by adding nodes and is described as capable of millions of writes per second. Data can be queried with command-line tools or an HTTP API and displayed as a GnuPlot graph. Query features include tag filters, aggregation, downsampling, rate conversion, functions, and expressions. Grafana and Bosun are among the open-source tools that can access its data, and a plugin framework includes authentication, search, and real-time publishing types. OpenTSDB accepts data through Telnet and HTTP APIs, batch import, and a Java library. It uses its own query syntax rather than SQL and has no retention policies. The FAQ says it is in maintenance mode and lacks built-in authentication; it recommends restricting untrusted access through a secured HTTP proxy. HBase outages or TSD crashes can also lead to data loss.
Good
- Free, self-hosted software.
- Supports millisecond precision and indefinite data storage.
- Scales by adding nodes.
- Offers HTTP, Telnet, batch, and Java ingestion.
- Integrates with tools including Grafana and Bosun.
Watch out
- Currently in maintenance mode.
- Does not include authentication.
- Does not support SQL or retention policies.
- HBase outages or TSD crashes can lose data.
Who it suits
It is suited to engineers and operations staff managing large computer systems who can run self-hosted software and work with OpenTSDB query syntax. Teams should also be prepared to address access security and the documented outage and buffer risks.
Verdict
OpenTSDB offers large-scale time-series storage, multiple ingestion paths, and flexible queries at no software cost. Its maintenance status, lack of built-in authentication, and documented data-loss risks deserve consideration before adoption.
Plans and prices
From OpenTSDB's own pricing page, checked 8 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| OpenTSDB | Free | Open-source software · self-hosted |
The facts
Each one read from OpenTSDB's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Analysis
- Queries support tag filters, aggregation, downsampling, rate conversion, functions, and expressions.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Durability
- The FAQ says a TSD crash can lose up to about one second of buffered data by default before it is persisted to HBase.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Extensibility
- OpenTSDB has a plugin framework with documented plugin types including authentication, search, and real-time publishing.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The docs say open-source tools including Grafana and Bosun can access OpenTSDB data.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- The FAQ says OpenTSDB was written for internal use by engineers and operations staff managing large computer systems.checked 8 Oct 2026
- License
- The FAQ says OpenTSDB uses the GNU LGPL v2.1 or later.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- OpenTSDB stores and serves large volumes of time-series data while preserving granularity.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Querying
- Data can be queried with CLI tools or an HTTP API and viewed as a GnuPlot graph.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Reliability limit
- The FAQ says prolonged HBase outages can fill TSD buffers, after which incoming data points may be discarded.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Scale
- The homepage says OpenTSDB runs on Hadoop and HBase, scales by adding nodes, and can scale to millions of writes per second.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Security
- The FAQ says OpenTSDB has not undergone a security review and does not include authentication, and recommends restricting untrusted access through a secured HTTP proxy.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Storage
- The homepage says data is stored as provided, supports millisecond precision, and can be kept indefinitely.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Support status
- The FAQ says Yahoo maintained OpenTSDB until 2021 and that it is currently in maintenance mode.checked 8 Oct 2026
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