BigQuery vs Redshift: What to Learn in 2024 with Trends Explained

Deepanshu tyagi
DataEngineering.py
Published in
4 min readJan 18, 2024

Bigquery Vs Redshift Trends

Photo by Stephen Dawson on Unsplash

In this blog, we’ll look at the ever-evolving terrain of data engineering, with a focus on two giants: Amazon Redshift and Google BigQuery.

These data warehouses are well-known for their creativity and provide fully managed solutions for a wide range of data demands. The choice between RedShift and BigQuery is critical for enterprises negotiating the intricacies of cloud-based analytics.

Key Highlights:

  • Fully managed data warehousing solution by Amazon.
  • Storage capacity ranging from gigabytes to petabytes.
  • Utilizes parallel processing and data compression for efficient data handling.
  • Data stored in computed resources called nodes, forming clusters and slices.
  • Offers security features at no additional cost.

Key Features:

Versatility:

  • Serves a wide range of business requirements.
  • RedShift Serverless for quick analytics scaling.
  • Query Editor v2 for SQL ease in data engineering.
  • Supports major programming languages through Redshift Data API.

Data Analysis Simplified:

  • Enables querying and exporting data to/from the warehouse.
  • Queries using ANSI SQL, supporting JSON and CSV formats in S3.
  • AWS service integration and data sharing across different AWS accounts.

Scalability and Performance:

  • Optimizes query speed with Advanced Query Accelerator and RA3 instances.
  • Utilizes machine learning and result caching for faster query results.

Top-notch Security:

  • End-to-end encryption and network isolation for robust security.
  • Integration with AWS CloudTrail for auditing RedShift API calls.

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Google BigQuery

Features:

Multi-cloud Functionality:

  • Analyzes data present in more than one cloud.
  • Decouples storage and compute components for flexibility.

ML Integration:

  • Built-in ML integration for creating and executing ML models.
  • Executes ML models using simple SQL queries, eliminating the need for separate ML solutions.

Speed and Simplicity:

  • Uses BI engine for high concurrency and quick response times.
  • Processes billions of rows quickly.

Automated Data Transfer:

  • Simple and automated data transfer.
  • Supports loading data from other data warehouses into BigQuery.

Comparison: Amazon RedShift vs. Google BigQuery

Performance:

  • Close call, both backed by tech giants.
  • BigQuery’s pricing based on data volume; RedShift limited by running node.
  • Free trial periods available for performance evaluation.

Scalability:

  • BigQuery offers structured and well-planned scalability.
  • On-demand pricing model provides control over resource assignment.
  • RedShift has limitations in distributing workload across clusters.

Manageability:

  • RedShift requires basic understanding of nodes and clusters.
  • Periodic management activities needed.
  • BigQuery is serverless, no knowledge required for setup; automatic scaling.

Usability:

  • BigQuery’s SQL-like interface simplifies tasks.
  • RedShift requires understanding of warehousing concepts; longer learning curve.

Security:

  • Both have robust security; RedShift uses Amazon IAM, BigQuery uses Google Cloud IAM.
  • Google has B2B identity management with OAuth for specific operations.

Pricing:

  • BigQuery charges for storage, inserts, and queries individually.
  • RedShift charges per node covering both storage and processing.
  • RedShift ideal for everyday operations; BigQuery for variable workloads and data mining.

Current Google Trends for Bigquery vs Redhshift

17–01–2024

Global Map

17–01–2024

Based on current Google Trends, BigQuery is gaining popularity due to its user-friendly features.

In 2024, consider beginning your learning journey with BigQuery.

When to Choose Amazon RedShift or Google BigQuery

Choose Amazon RedShift When:

Stability and Consistency:

  • Your organization values stability and consistency in data operations.
  • You have predictable workloads and can benefit from a reserved-slots pricing model.

Deep AWS Integration:

  • Your infrastructure heavily relies on AWS services, and you want seamless integration.
  • AWS CloudTrail integration for auditing API calls is a priority.

Well-established Warehousing Concepts:

  • Your team has a solid understanding of warehousing concepts, nodes, and clusters.
  • You are willing to invest time in periodic management activities like cleaning and vacuuming tables.

Everyday Data Warehouse Operations:

  • Your business primarily involves everyday data warehouse operations with relatively stable workloads.
  • You prefer a pricing model that covers both storage and processing with a node-based approach.

Choose Google BigQuery When:

Flexibility and Scalability:

  • Your organization requires flexibility and scalability for variable workloads.
  • On-demand pricing model is preferred, providing complete control over resource assignment.

Multi-cloud Functionality:

  • Analyzing data present in more than one cloud is crucial for your business.
  • You appreciate the decoupling of storage and compute components for flexibility.

ML Integration and Automation:

  • Machine learning integration and the ability to create and execute ML models with SQL queries is a priority.
  • You prefer a serverless solution that requires minimal knowledge for setup and management.

Quick Response Times and Data Mining:

  • Quick response times and the ability to process large volumes of data for data mining operations are essential.
  • You want a simplified and automated data transfer process without coding.

If you’re interested in a blog about mastering BigQuery and essential techniques, feel free to leave a comment below.

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