Presto: Pricing, Features & Alternatives
Presto is a distributed SQL query engine for big data, governed by the Presto Foundation under the Linux Foundation, which Facebook, Alibaba, Twitter and Uber founded. It is Apache 2.0 licensed. Presto native is a C++ rewrite of the worker that uses Velox as its engine. There is no paid edition from the project; you run it yourself.
Who it’s for: Teams that want an Apache-licensed SQL engine under Linux Foundation governance, with a C++ native worker.
Category
Distributed SQL Query Engines
Pricing
Free tier available
Free tier
Yes
Best for
Distributed SQL Query Engines: open source, C++ workers, Linux Foundation
Presto at a Glance
- What it is
- Open-source distributed SQL engine
- Licence
- Apache 2.0
- How you pay
- Free; you pay for the servers
- Where it runs
- Your infrastructure
- Managed option
- Not offered by the project
Checked November 2026 against Presto on GitHub, The Presto Foundation launches under the Linux Foundation.
Presto Pricing Plans (2026)
| Plan | Price |
|---|---|
| Open sourcePopular | $0 (Apache 2.0) |
Pricing summary: Free. Always confirm current pricing on the official site.
Key Presto Features
- Apache 2.0
- Governed by the Presto Foundation under the Linux Foundation; founding members Facebook, Alibaba, Twitter and Uber
- Presto native: a C++ rewrite of the worker on the Velox engine
- Distributed SQL over large datasets
Pros
- +Free under Apache 2.0
- +C++ native worker on Velox
- +Neutral foundation governance
Cons
- −Smaller community than Trino
- −You run it yourself
- −Fewer managed hosting options
Best Presto Alternatives
Compare all
Presto Compared
Presto FAQ
What is Presto used for?⌄
Presto is a distributed sql query engines tool. Distributed SQL engine governed by the Presto Foundation under the Linux Foundation, with a C++ native worker. Apache 2.0.
Is Presto free?⌄
Yes. Presto has a free tier you can start with, and paid plans for more usage and features.
How much does Presto cost?⌄
Presto is free to use.
What are the best Presto alternatives?⌄
Popular Presto alternatives include Trino, Starburst, Amazon Athena. Compare pricing and features on our Presto alternatives page.
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