Aiven vs ClickHouse
Both Aiven and ClickHouse are European-built, GDPR-compliant solutions in the online databases space. This comparison breaks down their features, pricing, compliance posture, and data residency so you can make an informed choice for your team.
Quick Overview
Aiven
EU- Headquarters
- Helsinki, FI
- Pricing
- Free
- Open Source
- No
ClickHouse
EU- Headquarters
- Amsterdam, NL
- Pricing
- Free
- Open Source
- Yes
Key Differences
- ClickHouse is open source, giving you full code transparency and the option to self-host. Aiven is proprietary — typically offering a more streamlined setup and managed support, but without the ability to inspect or modify the source code.
- Data residency differs: Aiven hosts data in Finland, Germany, EU, while ClickHouse hosts in EU, US. If your organisation requires data to stay in a specific EU country, this distinction matters for compliance.
- Aiven holds ISO 27001 and SOC 2 certifications, providing third-party assurance of its security practices. ClickHouse does not currently hold these certifications, which may matter if your organisation requires them for vendor approval.
- Aiven was founded in 2016, giving it a 5-year head start over ClickHouse (founded 2021). More time in market often means a larger user community and more mature integrations, though newer entrants may offer more modern architectures.
- Each product has unique strengths: Aiven offers Managed PostgreSQL and MySQL, while ClickHouse provides Column-oriented OLAP and Real-time analytics. Your choice depends on which capabilities matter most for your workflow.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Aiven | ClickHouse |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Aiven | ClickHouse |
| Pricing | Free | Free |
| Free Tier | ||
| GDPR | ||
| ISO 27001 | ||
| Open Source | ||
| Headquarters | Helsinki, FI | Amsterdam, NL |
| Data Centers | FI, DE, EU | EU, US |
| Managed PostgreSQL | ||
| MySQL | ||
| Redis | ||
| Kafka | ||
| OpenSearch | ||
| ClickHouse | ||
| Grafana | ||
| M3 | ||
| Cassandra | ||
| Multi-cloud | ||
| Column-oriented OLAP | ||
| Real-time analytics | ||
| SQL interface | ||
| High compression | ||
| Materialized views | ||
| Distributed queries | ||
| Replication | ||
| Data integration | ||
| ClickHouse Cloud |
Pricing Comparison
Aiven
Freeusage-based
ClickHouse
Freeusage-based
Compliance Comparison
Aiven
GDPRISO 27001SOC 2DPA
ClickHouse
GDPRSOC 2DPA
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How to Choose
You need code transparency or self-hosting
Choose ClickHouse
You want a fully managed, turnkey solution
Choose Aiven
Your procurement requires ISO 27001 certification
Choose Aiven
You need enterprise-grade support and stability
Choose Aiven
You prefer a nimble provider with personalised support
Choose ClickHouse
Aiven vs ClickHouse — FAQ
What is the main difference between Aiven and ClickHouse?
Both Aiven and ClickHouse are European online databases solutions with full GDPR compliance. The key differences lie in their approach: ClickHouse is open source while Aiven is proprietary. Aiven is headquartered in Helsinki, Finland, while ClickHouse is based in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Your choice should depend on your specific requirements for features, pricing, and data residency.
Which is more affordable, Aiven or ClickHouse?
Both Aiven and ClickHouse offer free tiers, so you can try either without cost. Both use usage-based pricing, so compare the tiers that match your team size and feature needs.
Are both Aiven and ClickHouse GDPR compliant?
Yes. Both Aiven and ClickHouse are European companies that store data within the EU/EEA and offer Data Processing Agreements. Neither is subject to the US CLOUD Act or FISA surveillance. Additionally, Aiven holds ISO 27001 certification. For GDPR purposes, either option eliminates the legal risks associated with using US-based services.