Directus vs ClickHouse
Both Directus 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
Directus
EU- Headquarters
- Amsterdam, NL
- Pricing
- Free
- Open Source
- Yes
ClickHouse
EU- Headquarters
- Amsterdam, NL
- Pricing
- Free
- Open Source
- Yes
Key Differences
- Directus offers a free tier, while clickHouse uses usage-based pricing. The different pricing models mean you should evaluate which approach better fits your usage pattern.
- Data residency differs: Directus hosts data in EU, while ClickHouse hosts in EU, US. If your organisation requires data to stay in a specific EU country, this distinction matters for compliance.
- ClickHouse holds SOC 2 certification, providing third-party assurance of its security practices. Directus does not currently hold these certifications, which may matter for enterprise procurement requirements.
- Directus was founded in 2004, giving it a 17-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: Directus offers REST and GraphQL APIs and Admin app, while ClickHouse provides Column-oriented OLAP and Real-time analytics. Your choice depends on which capabilities matter most for your workflow.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Directus | ClickHouse |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Directus | ClickHouse |
| Pricing | Free | Free |
| Free Tier | ||
| GDPR | ||
| ISO 27001 | ||
| Open Source | ||
| Headquarters | Amsterdam, NL | Amsterdam, NL |
| Data Centers | EU | EU, US |
| REST and GraphQL APIs | ||
| Admin app | ||
| Custom dashboards | ||
| Flows automation | ||
| Role-based access | ||
| File management | ||
| Webhooks | ||
| Self-hosting | ||
| Column-oriented OLAP | ||
| Real-time analytics | ||
| SQL interface | ||
| High compression | ||
| Materialized views | ||
| Distributed queries | ||
| Replication | ||
| Data integration | ||
| ClickHouse Cloud |
Pricing Comparison
Directus
Freefree (self-hosted) / cloud plans
ClickHouse
Freeusage-based
Compliance Comparison
Directus
GDPRDPA
ClickHouse
GDPRSOC 2DPA
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How to Choose
You need enterprise-grade support and stability
Choose ClickHouse
You prefer a nimble provider with personalised support
Choose Directus
Directus vs ClickHouse — FAQ
What is the main difference between Directus and ClickHouse?
Both Directus and ClickHouse are European online databases solutions with full GDPR compliance. The key differences lie in their approach: Directus uses free (self-hosted) / cloud plans pricing while ClickHouse uses usage-based. Directus is headquartered in Amsterdam, Netherlands, 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, Directus or ClickHouse?
Both Directus and ClickHouse offer free tiers, so you can try either without cost. Pricing models differ (free (self-hosted) / cloud plans vs. usage-based), so compare based on your usage pattern rather than just the starting price.
Are both Directus and ClickHouse GDPR compliant?
Yes. Both Directus 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. For GDPR purposes, either option eliminates the legal risks associated with using US-based services.