---
title: "Presto Pricing, Features & Alternatives (2026)"
description: "Presto (Distributed SQL Query Engines): Free tier. Plans, pros & cons, and Presto alternatives compared for startups in 2026."
source: https://appstackbuilder.com/tools/presto
retrieved: 2026-11-10
---

![Presto logo](https://www.google.com/s2/favicons?domain=prestodb.io&sz=128)

[Distributed SQL Query Engines](https://appstackbuilder.com/categories/query-engine)Free tier

# 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](https://github.com/prestodb/presto), [The Presto Foundation launches under the Linux Foundation](https://sdtimes.com/data/the-presto-foundation-launches-under-the-linux-foundation/).

[Visit Presto official site](https://prestodb.io/)

## Presto Pricing Plans (2026)

| Plan               | Price           | Highlights                           |
| ------------------ | --------------- | ------------------------------------ |
| Open sourcePopular | $0 (Apache 2.0) | Distributed SQL · C++ native workers |

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 ](https://appstackbuilder.com/tool-alternatives/presto)

[![Trino logo](https://www.google.com/s2/favicons?domain=trino.io&sz=128)TrinoFree](https://appstackbuilder.com/tools/trino)[![Starburst logo](https://www.google.com/s2/favicons?domain=starburst.io&sz=128)StarburstFree · paid from $0.5/mo](https://appstackbuilder.com/tools/starburst)[![Amazon Athena logo](https://www.google.com/s2/favicons?domain=aws.amazon.com&sz=128)Amazon AthenaFrom $0.3/mo](https://appstackbuilder.com/tools/amazon-athena)

## Presto Compared

[Presto vs Trino](https://appstackbuilder.com/compare/presto-vs-trino)[Presto vs Amazon Athena](https://appstackbuilder.com/compare/amazon-athena-vs-presto)[Presto vs Starburst](https://appstackbuilder.com/compare/presto-vs-starburst)

## 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.

## Not sure if Presto fits your stack?

Get a free, AI-powered tech stack tailored to your budget, app type, and team size, including the best distributed sql query engines pick for you.

[Build my stack free ](https://appstackbuilder.com/)