Side by side
Axibase Time Series Database vs Cortex
Both stand on time-series databases. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan APILinuxSelf-hosted+1
Choose ATSD if you need a free time-series database with SQL analysis, forecasting, visualization, and several ingestion routes. Its documented default limit of 50 metrics matched by a metric LIKE expression may matter for broad series queries.
Visit Axibase Time Series Database Free plan APILinuxMac+2
Choose Cortex if you can operate your own metrics storage and need PromQL queries, horizontal scaling, or long-term storage integrations. Look elsewhere if you need SQL or expect authentication and authorization to be built into Cortex without external configuration.
Visit CortexThe facts
| Axibase Time Series Database | Cortex | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | API, Linux, Self-hosted, Web | API, Linux, Mac, Self-hosted, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Not published | Not published |
| Plans published | None | None |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | axibase.com | cortexmetrics.io |
| On time-series databases | #7 of 36 | #11 of 36 |
Axibase Time Series Database: what it does well
- Free plan with Linux, web, API, and self-hosted support.
- Accepts REST and Network API data and CSV bulk imports.
- Collector jobs cover AWS, Docker, HTTP, JDBC, JMX, Kafka, and SNMP.
- SQL Console exports results as CSV, JSON, or Excel.
- Includes forecasting algorithms and a built-in alert Rule Engine.
What to know first
- The documented default metric LIKE limit is 50 matches.
- The web interface uses HTTPS on port 8443.
- The current Axibase homepage says the company is operating in stealth mode.
Cortex: what it does well
- Scales across machines and can replicate data between them.
- Accepts Prometheus remote_write and OpenTelemetry Protocol data.
- Queries metrics with PromQL.
- Supports S3, Google Cloud Storage, Swift, and Azure storage.
- Offers retention policies and tenant isolation.
What to know first
- Authentication and authorization must be added externally, typically through a reverse proxy.
- Tenant headers require an additional protection layer for the installation.
- SQL is not supported.
- Windows is not a regular supported release target.
Alternatives to Axibase Time Series Database Alternatives to Cortex The whole list