StarRocks: The Fastest Open Query Engine for Data Lakehouse Analytics

StarRocks: The Fastest Open Query Engine for Data Lakehouse Analytics

Summary

StarRocks is an open-source, high-performance query engine optimized for sub-second analytics across data lakehouses. It delivers best-in-class performance for multi-dimensional, real-time, and ad-hoc queries, making it a versatile solution for complex data analysis. This Linux Foundation project is engineered to provide speed and flexibility for various analytical scenarios.

Repository Info

Updated on November 2, 2025
View on GitHub

Tags

analyticsbig-datadata-lakehousereal-time-analyticsolapdistributed-databasejavasql-engine

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Introduction

StarRocks is the world's fastest open query engine, designed for sub-second analytics both on and off the data lakehouse. As a Linux Foundation project, it offers best-in-class performance for multi-dimensional analytics, real-time analytics, and ad-hoc queries, adapting flexibly to nearly any scenario. Its native vectorized SQL engine and compatibility with the MySQL protocol make it a powerful and accessible tool for modern data analysis.

Installation

To get started with StarRocks, it is recommended to refer to the official documentation for detailed installation and deployment guides. You can find quick start tutorials and comprehensive deployment overviews, including options for setting up development environments or deploying manually.

Examples

StarRocks excels in various analytical scenarios, from real-time dashboards to complex ad-hoc queries directly on data lakes. It is used by numerous companies for high-performance data processing. You can explore its capabilities through:

  • Direct Data Lake Querying: Access data directly from Apache Hive™, Apache Iceberg™, Delta Lake™, and Apache Hudi™ without prior import.
  • Real-time Analytics: Power applications requiring immediate insights from constantly updating data.
  • Multi-dimensional Analysis: Perform complex analytical queries with sub-second response times.
  • Demo Repository: Explore practical examples and use cases in the official StarRocks Demo repository.

Why Use StarRocks?

StarRocks offers several compelling advantages for data analytics:

  • ? Native Vectorized SQL Engine: Leverages CPU parallel computing for 5 to 10 times faster query returns in multi-dimensional analyses.
  • ? Standard SQL & MySQL Compatibility: Supports ANSI SQL syntax and is compatible with the MySQL protocol, allowing integration with various clients and BI tools.
  • ? Smart Query Optimization: Utilizes a Cost-Based Optimizer (CBO) to generate efficient execution plans, significantly improving data analysis efficiency.
  • ? Real-time Update Capabilities: Supports upsert/delete operations based on primary keys, ensuring efficient querying even with concurrent updates.
  • ? Intelligent Materialized Views: Materialized views are automatically updated during data import and intelligently selected during query execution.
  • ? Direct Data Lake Querying: Eliminates the need for data import by directly accessing data in Apache Hive™, Apache Iceberg™, Delta Lake™, and Apache Hudi™.
  • ?? Resource Management: Provides features to limit resource consumption for queries and ensure isolation and efficient resource use among tenants.
  • ? Easy to Maintain: Features a streamlined architecture that simplifies deployment, maintenance, and scaling, with agile query plan tuning and automatic data recovery.

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