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Apache DataFusion vs Sail

Apache DataFusion: Extensible Rust query engine library on Apache Arrow for building databases and data systems. Sail: Rust-native, Spark Connect-compatible engine for SQL, DataFrame and streaming jobs without the JVM.

key differences

  • Apache DataFusion is primarily a columnar / OLAP database; Sail is relational.
  • Sail is built for larger datasets (≤ 1 PB) than Apache DataFusion (≤ 10 TB).
  • Horizontal scaling is addon in Apache DataFusion and native in Sail.
  • Transactions: Apache DataFusion offers none ACID; Sail offers limited.
  • Only Apache DataFusion has runs in webassembly.
  • Only Sail has json, streaming ingest.
  • Apache DataFusion can run embedded in your application process.

choose apache-datafusion for

  • +Building custom databases and query engines
  • +Embedded SQL in Rust services
  • +Accelerating Spark via Comet
  • +Query layer for time-series or log stores

best at · OLAP, Embedded, Lakehouse

choose sail for

  • +Cutting cost of PySpark ETL
  • +Local Spark development without a JVM
  • +Lakehouse batch jobs on Delta/Iceberg

best at · Lakehouse, OLAP, Streaming

Apache DataFusionExtensible Rust query engine library on Apache Arrow for building databases and data systems.
SailRust-native, Spark Connect-compatible engine for SQL, DataFrame and streaming jobs without the JVM.
overview
Primary model
Columnar / OLAP
Relational
Also supports
Relational
Columnar / OLAP
Type
Embedded library
Database engine
Status
Active
Active
Developer
Apache Software Foundation
LakeSail
First release
2019
2024
Latest version
55.2.0 (Oct 7, 2026)
0.7.2 (Sep 29, 2026)
License
Open source (permissive)Apache License 2.0
Open source (permissive)Apache License 2.0
Free tier
✓
✓
popularity
WhichDB Score
31.6
14.5
Rank
#76
#231
GitHub stars
9.5K
3.5K
Stack Overflow questions
–
–
scale & guarantees
Comfortable data size
Medium (≤ 10 TB)
Large (≤ 1 PB)
Horizontal scaling
Addon
Native
Multi-region
None
None
ACID
None
Limited
Consistency
Strong
Strong
Schema
Strict
Flexible
Architecture
Embedded, In memory
Distributed, Single node, Client server
deployment
Self-hosted
✓
✓
Vendor-managed cloud
—
—
Serverless
—
—
Embedded
✓
—
Edge
—
—
Clouds
–
–
capabilities
Transactions
—
—
Joins
✓
✓
Secondary indexes
—
—
Full-text search
—
—
Vector search
—
—
Geospatial
—
—
JSON
—
✓
Change data capture
—
—
Triggers
—
—
Stored procedures
—
—
Materialized views
—
—
TTL / expiry
—
—
Pub/Sub
—
—
Columnar storage
✓
✓
In-memory
✓
✓
Durable persistence
—
—
Compression
—
—
Encryption at rest
—
—
Role-based access
—
—
Time travel
—
—
Branching
—
—
Online schema changes
—
—
Streaming ingest
—
✓
Offline sync
—
—
Runs in WebAssembly
✓
—
interfaces
Query languages
SQL, DataFrame API (Rust/Python), Substrait
Spark SQL, Python (PySpark DataFrame API)
Client languages
Rust, Python
Python, Scala, Java, Go, Rust
Best for
OLAP, Embedded, Lakehouse
Lakehouse, OLAP, Streaming
Add more to this comparisonNot sure either fits? Try smart match

Apache DataFusion vs Sail: FAQ

What is the difference between Apache DataFusion and Sail?

Apache DataFusion: Extensible Rust query engine library on Apache Arrow for building databases and data systems. Sail: Rust-native, Spark Connect-compatible engine for SQL, DataFrame and streaming jobs without the JVM. Apache DataFusion is primarily a columnar / OLAP database; Sail is relational. Sail is built for larger datasets (≤ 1 PB) than Apache DataFusion (≤ 10 TB). Horizontal scaling is addon in Apache DataFusion and native in Sail.

When should I choose Apache DataFusion over Sail?

Choose Apache DataFusion for building custom databases and query engines; embedded SQL in Rust services; and accelerating Spark via Comet. Choose Sail for cutting cost of PySpark ETL, local Spark development without a JVM and lakehouse batch jobs on Delta/Iceberg.

Is Apache DataFusion or Sail more popular?

Apache DataFusion ranks #76 on the WhichDB Score (31.6/100) and Sail ranks #231 (14.5/100). Popularity is not fit: check the requirements that matter for your project.

Are Apache DataFusion and Sail open source?

Yes. Apache DataFusion is open source. License: Apache License 2.0. Yes. Sail is open source. License: Apache License 2.0.