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local + Cloud analytics, backed by the same database

A duckdb-powered data warehouse for production grade analytics

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Transform Solo DuckDB Into a Collaborative Powerhouse

DuckDB's in-process nature means your data stays trapped on your machine. MotherDuck eliminates this limitation with a simple "md:" prefix.

Share Data, Not Files

No more exporting files or managing S3 buckets to share your work. Create database shares with specific team members while maintaining the familiar DuckDB experience.

Multiple Users, One Database

Enable simultaneous access for Data Engineers, Analytics teams, and Scientists to the same datasets. Each user gets their own dedicated compute instance “duckling” for concurrent queries without conflicts.

Local Speed with Cloud-Scale Production Power

Enjoy the best of both worlds with a seamless dev/prod workflow for your data. Develop locally for immediate feedback, then deploy identical workloads to the cloud with zero code changes.

Rapid Iteration at Zero Cost

Experiment locally with lightning-fast feedback cycles without spending a dime. When your solution is ready, your exact same queries work in the cloud by simply adding "md:" to your connection.

Test Safely, Deploy Confidently

Prototype complex data transformations without risking expensive cloud resources. This local dev, cloud prod model ensures what works locally will perform at scale in production.

Ship Data Solutions Faster

Eliminate the friction between development and deployment environments. Your team can innovate with quick local tests and push proven solutions to cloud production seamlessly.

Familiar Interface with Intelligent Superpowers

MotherDuck maintains the DuckDB interface you love while adding thoughtful, AI-backed intelligent assistance. Experience enhanced productivity with features designed for SQL experts and business users.

Visual Insights at a Glance

Beautiful visualizations help you understand complex data patterns immediately. MotherDuck's design affordances make exploration intuitive while preserving the power of DuckDB's analytical capabilities.

Automatic Error Correction

"Fix It" repairs common syntax errors with a single click, eliminating frustration from missing commas or quotes. This intelligent assistance ensures everyone on your team can work productively with SQL, regardless of expertise level.

Natural Language to SQL

Never written SQL before? Non-technical team members can contribute with "PROMPT QUERY" turning plain English into correct SQL. This feature democratizes data access by removing the barrier of SQL syntax knowledge.

Architecture

Managed DuckDB-in-the-cloud

Case Studies

FAQS

What is DuckDB?

DuckDB is a free, open-source SQL database designed for fast analytics. It runs in-process (no server needed) and is optimized for querying large datasets, Parquet files, and CSV files directly from Python, R, or the command line. Learn more in our DuckDB tutorial for beginners.

What are common DuckDB use cases?

  • Local data analysis and exploration
  • ETL pipelines
  • Querying Parquet and CSV files directly
  • Replacing pandas for large datasets
  • Embedded analytics in applications
  • A fast alternative to Spark or BigQuery for single-machine workloads
  • When combined with MotherDuck, DuckDB also works as a full cloud data warehouse and backend for customer-facing analytics. See real-world examples in DuckDB in the enterprise.

What is the difference between DuckDB and SQLite?

SQLite is optimized for transactional workloads (OLTP)—many small reads and writes. DuckDB is optimized for analytical workloads (OLAP)—complex queries over large datasets. Use SQLite for apps; use DuckDB for analytics and data science. See our DuckDB vs SQLite comparison.

When should I use DuckDB vs pandas?

Use DuckDB when your data exceeds available memory, when you need SQL instead of Python syntax, or when querying Parquet files directly. DuckDB is often 10-100x faster than pandas for analytical queries on datasets over 1GB. Learn more in our pandas DataFrames guide.

Is DuckDB free?

Yes, DuckDB is free and open-source under the MIT license. MotherDuck, the serverless cloud data warehouse built on DuckDB, offers a free tier with 10GB storage and paid plans for larger workloads.

What is MotherDuck?

MotherDuck is a serverless cloud data warehouse powered by DuckDB. It lets you run DuckDB SQL at cloud scale with collaboration features, managed infrastructure, and the ability to query terabyte-scale data—without managing servers. Learn more about MotherDuck.

What is the difference between DuckDB and MotherDuck?

DuckDB runs locally and in-process with no setup, but is limited by local RAM. MotherDuck runs in the cloud (serverless) and can handle terabytes of data with collaboration features like shared links and queries. DuckDB is free; MotherDuck has a free tier plus pay-as-you-go pricing. Your DuckDB SQL works unchanged in MotherDuck.

Can I run DuckDB in the cloud?

Yes. MotherDuck is the cloud data warehouse built on DuckDB. It runs your DuckDB SQL in the cloud with team collaboration, scheduled queries, and the ability to query data larger than your local machine can handle. Get started free.

Can I use my existing DuckDB code with MotherDuck?

Yes. MotherDuck runs DuckDB under the hood, so your existing SQL queries, scripts, and workflows work without modification. Connect using the same DuckDB client libraries (Python, Node.js, etc.) by changing your connection string. See our documentation for setup guides.

How does MotherDuck handle large datasets that don't fit in memory?

MotherDuck's cloud data warehouse has access to compute resources beyond your local machine. It automatically spills to disk and distributes your query volume across cloud infrastructure (read scaling), letting you query datasets far larger than your laptop's RAM—without changing your SQL.

When should I switch from local DuckDB to MotherDuck?

  • Share query results with teammates
  • Query datasets larger than your local memory
  • Schedule automated queries
  • Access your data from multiple devices
  • If you're working solo on small datasets, local DuckDB may be all you need.

Can I query cloud storage like S3 with MotherDuck?

Yes. MotherDuck can query data stored in S3, GCS, and MotherDuck's managed storage. You can also use DuckLake, which combines the benefits of a data lakehouse with MotherDuck's serverless architecture.
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