---
title: chDB - a fast, reliable, and scalable in-process database
description: Experience the power of ClickHouse, in-process. With unparalleled performance, reliability, and scalability for any data-intensive application.
---

# chDB - fast, reliable, and scalable in-process database

Experience the power of ClickHouse, in-process. With unparalleled performance, reliability, and scalability for any data-intensive application.

- Blazing fast SQL engine
- Supports 80+ data formats
- Zero-copy data exchange with DataFrames
- Native Pandas-like pythonic interface

[Try it today](https://clickhouse.com/docs/chdb)

## Write Pandas, run ClickHouse, now on Hex

Announcing chDB 4.0.

With the new DataStore API, write the Pandas code you already know, and it executes on the ClickHouse engine automatically.

DataStore records your operations as a lazy pipeline, compiles the full chain into optimized ClickHouse SQL at execution time, and applies filter pushdown, column pruning, and limit propagation.

- **Lazy execution, ClickHouse speed:** operations are recorded, not executed. The full pipeline is compiled into optimized SQL and run on ClickHouse's vectorized, multi-threaded engine.
- **Seamless engine fallback**
- **One import migration**

### Try chDB 4.0 on Hex

Run Pandas-style ClickHouse queries in Hex notebooks with zero setup.

Get an extended free trial through ClickHouse.

[Start an extended trial on Hex](https://app.hex.tech/signup/clickhouse-30)

[Learn how to use chDB on Hex](https://app.hex.tech/partnerships/app/chDB-Tutorial-032XsQ4qoKtlXxcw49joav/latest)

## chDB and the ClickHouse ecosystem

Whether you're developing locally, running in-process analytics embedded in your app, or scaling production workloads, ClickHouse has you covered.

### Open-source library

chDB is an open-source library, allowing you to customize and extend your database to fit your needs. Benefit from a vibrant community that keeps you updated with the latest innovations and security practices.

### Query objects directly

With chDB, you can query native objects in the programming language of choice directly. This direct access reduces latency and simplifies data processing, enabling faster operations.

### Supports Python DB API 2.0

chDB supports Python DB API 2.0, ensuring seamless integration with your Python applications. Enjoy consistency, reliability, and ease of use with familiar libraries and tools.

### Pandas-native

Write Pandas code that executes on ClickHouse. The DataStore API brings lazy execution, automatic query optimization, and seamless engine fallback.

chDB supports bindings for many programming languages, including Bun, Node.js, Rust, Go and Python.

## Embedded. No need to install or run ClickHouse services

- Streamline deployment with no additional setup
- Reduce system complexity and resource usage
- Ideal for lightweight and embedded applications

## Zero-copy DataFrame exchange

- DataFrames are read and written directly with no serialization cost
- Numeric and fixed-width columns share memory buffers directly with Pandas via the buffer protocol.

## Input and output support Parquet, CSV, JSON, Arrow, ORC and 80+ more formats

- Easily integrate with diverse data sources
- Simplify data interchange and interoperability
- Ensure compatibility with a wide range of data formats

## chDB regularly outperforms DuckDB, Pandas, and Polars, now with zero-copy DataFrame exchange

With chDB, you have the benefit of ClickHouse's blazing speed, in-process.

### 247x faster than Pandas

`COUNT(*)` aggregation on 1M row DataFrame

### ~24% faster than DuckDB

Exporting 1M rows to Pandas DataFrame (2.64s vs 3.47s)

### 87x faster than chDB v1

End-to-end DataFrame query, v2+ zero-copy input

In head-to-head benchmarks across 14 common Pandas operations at 1M and 10M rows, chDB leads in the majority of challenges. [See full benchmark results](https://clickhouse.com/blog/chdb-journey-to-zero-copy?loc=chdb#benchmark-for-daily-pandas-usage).

## What is chDB used for?

Wherever you need us, we're there. We love to engage in thoughtful conversation with the ClickHouse community and are always on-hand to answer your questions.

[Ask us anything](https://clickhouse.com/company/contact)

1. Testing your queries in CI without having to spin up a CH server
2. Building self-contained prototypes/PoCs
3. Jupyter notebooks without a CH Server running

## Start using chDB in minutes

Install chDB for macOS and Linux

```bash
pip install chdb
```

```python
query = "select count() FROM s3('s3://datasets-documentation/hackernews/hacknernews.json.gz')"
chdb.query(query, 'DataFrame')
```

## Looking for a hosted solution?

Get started with ClickHouse Cloud

30 day free trial and $300 in credits to spend at your own pace.

[Create a free account](https://console.clickhouse.cloud/signUp?loc=chdbPageFooterCta)