DuckDB vs H2 Database: What are the differences?

Key Differences between DuckDB and H2 Database

DuckDB and H2 Database are two popular database management systems that have several key differences. Below are the six main differences between DuckDB and H2 Database:

1. Performance: DuckDB is known for its exceptional performance, especially for analytical queries. It is specifically designed to optimize read-heavy workloads and achieve faster query execution times compared to H2 Database, which is a more general-purpose database engine.

2. Memory Usage: DuckDB is designed to efficiently use memory resources, making it suitable for memory-constrained environments. It leverages techniques like vectorized query execution and adaptive caching to minimize memory footprint. On the other hand, H2 Database is a more memory-intensive system, making it better suited for applications with ample memory resources.

3. Columnar Storage: DuckDB employs a columnar storage layout by default, which offers advantages for many analytical workloads. It enables efficient compression, faster scanning, and better vectorized query execution. In contrast, H2 Database primarily uses a row-based storage layout, which provides benefits for transaction processing workloads with frequent read and write operations.

4. Database Size Limitations: DuckDB does not have any inherent limitations on database size, allowing users to handle large datasets seamlessly. On the contrary, H2 Database imposes a maximum database size limit, usually dependent on the file system or configuration settings. This limitation can be a factor to consider when handling significant amounts of data.

5. SQL Compatibility: H2 Database aims for high compatibility with the SQL standard, which makes it more versatile and compatible with various SQL-based applications and tools. DuckDB focuses on ANSI SQL compatibility, but certain advanced SQL features may not be fully supported.

6. Administration and Tooling: H2 Database provides a wide range of administration tools and options, including a web-based console, automatic backups, and easy integration with external tooling. DuckDB, being a more specialized analytical engine, currently has a more limited set of administration tools and might require additional tooling or integrations for specific management tasks.

In summary, DuckDB differentiates itself from H2 Database through its exceptional performance, efficient memory usage, columnar storage default, lack of database size limitations, specific SQL compatibility, and distinct administration and tooling options.