RisingWave vs DeltaStream: Cloud-Native Streaming Compared
RisingWave is an open-source, self-hostable streaming database with PostgreSQL compatibility and S3-based state. DeltaStream is a cloud-only, serverless streaming database designed for multi-cloud environments. Choose RisingWave for open source, self-hosting, and Iceberg integration. Choose DeltaStream for fully serverless, multi-cloud streaming without infrastructure management.
Comparison
| Feature | RisingWave | DeltaStream |
| License | Apache 2.0 (open source) | Proprietary |
| Self-hosting | ✅ | ❌ (cloud-only) |
| SQL dialect | PostgreSQL | ANSI SQL |
| Multi-cloud | Self-hosted anywhere | ✅ Native multi-cloud |
| Serverless | ❌ (cluster-based) | ✅ Fully serverless |
| Iceberg sink | ✅ | Limited |
| CDC | Native (PG, MySQL) | Via connectors |
| State storage | S3 | Managed |
| Maturity | Established (8.4K+ GitHub stars) | Earlier stage |
When to Choose
RisingWave: Open source matters, you want self-hosting, need Iceberg/Delta Lake sinks, or want PostgreSQL tool compatibility.
DeltaStream: You want fully serverless streaming with zero infrastructure management and multi-cloud deployment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is DeltaStream open source?
No. DeltaStream is proprietary and cloud-only. RisingWave is fully open source under Apache 2.0 with self-hosting support.
Which is more cost-effective?
RisingWave (self-hosted) = compute + S3 costs only, no SaaS margin. DeltaStream = serverless pricing (pay per query/data processed). For sustained workloads, RisingWave is typically cheaper.
