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Apache Cloudberry vs Apache SkyWalking

A side-by-side editorial comparison of Apache Cloudberry and Apache SkyWalking — release velocity, themes, recent moves, and the top alternatives to consider.

Apache Cloudberry vs Apache SkyWalking: at a glance

FeatureApache CloudberryApache SkyWalking
SectorAnalyticsAnalytics
Velocity score5.03.8
Sparks · 30d01
Top themesanalytics, mpp-database, apache-incubator, open-sourceobservability, opentelemetry, apm, banyandb
Last editorial update6d ago3h ago
WebsiteVisit →Visit →

What is Apache Cloudberry?

Apache Cloudberry ships 2.2.0 after three release candidates.

Apache Cloudberry is an open-source MPP analytics database in the Apache Incubator, derived from Greenplum. 2.2.0-incubating went final on November 3 after rc1 (September 3), rc2 (October 7) and rc3 (October 20). The release entry carries no notes of its own.

Read the full Apache Cloudberry trajectory →

What is Apache SkyWalking?

SkyWalking 11.1 builds service maps from OpenTelemetry traces, no SkyWalking agent required.

Apache SkyWalking spent 2025 and 2026 rebuilding its foundations: BanyanDB replaced H2, the Groovy DSL runtime gave way to ANTLR4 and Javassist, and 11.0.0 split the UI out of the backend. Version 11.1.0, released November 6, stores OTLP traces as they arrive and adds a Trace Analysis Language that turns spans into service, instance and endpoint metrics, topology and dashboards for the databases, caches and queues those services call. Applications instrumented only with OpenTelemetry SDKs now get SkyWalking's dashboards without its agent.

Read the full Apache SkyWalking trajectory →

Apache Cloudberry vs Apache SkyWalking: editorial side-by-side

A5.0

Apache Cloudberry ships 2.2.0 after three release candidates.

◆ Current state

Apache Cloudberry is an open-source MPP analytics database in the Apache Incubator, derived from Greenplum. 2.2.0-incubating went final on November 3 after rc1 (September 3), rc2 (October 7) and rc3 (October 20). The release entry carries no notes of its own.

◆ Where it's heading

The project now ships on a roughly six-month cycle (2.0 in September 2025, 2.1 in May, 2.2 in November), each going through two or three voted candidates. The process is steady; what changed in 2.2 isn't visible in these entries.

◆ Prediction

A 2.3.0 rc1 is the next likely tag, probably in early 2027 if the cadence holds.

A3.8

SkyWalking 11.1 builds service maps from OpenTelemetry traces, no SkyWalking agent required.

◆ Current state

Apache SkyWalking spent 2025 and 2026 rebuilding its foundations: BanyanDB replaced H2, the Groovy DSL runtime gave way to ANTLR4 and Javassist, and 11.0.0 split the UI out of the backend. Version 11.1.0, released November 6, stores OTLP traces as they arrive and adds a Trace Analysis Language that turns spans into service, instance and endpoint metrics, topology and dashboards for the databases, caches and queues those services call. Applications instrumented only with OpenTelemetry SDKs now get SkyWalking's dashboards without its agent.

◆ Where it's heading

After taking storage and runtime in-house, SkyWalking is opening its front door to OpenTelemetry data. Its value is shifting from its own agents toward the analysis it runs on any trace source.

◆ Prediction

Expect more TAL coverage and OpenTelemetry quick starts, with SkyWalking's own agents positioned as optional rather than required.

Alternatives to Apache Cloudberry and Apache SkyWalking

Other Analytics products tracked by Sparkpulse, ranked by recent ship velocity. Each card links to a full editorial trajectory and lets you pivot into a head-to-head comparison with either Apache Cloudberry or Apache SkyWalking.

See all Apache Cloudberry alternatives → · See all Apache SkyWalking alternatives →

Recent activity from Apache Cloudberry and Apache SkyWalking

Latest ship moves from both products, interleaved chronologically. ⚡ = editorial spark.

  1. 3d agoApache SkyWalking11.1.0 - Metrics and Topology from OTLP Traces ⚡
  2. 6d agoApache CloudberryApache Cloudberry 2.2.0 final release
  3. 20d agoApache CloudberryApache Cloudberry 2.2.0 third release candidate
  4. 1mo agoApache CloudberryApache Cloudberry 2.2.0 second release candidate
  5. 2mo agoApache CloudberryApache Cloudberry 2.2.0 first release candidate
  6. 2mo agoApache SkyWalking11.0.0 - Horizon Ready, Runtime Rule Hot-Update and Live DSL Debugger ⚡
  7. 6mo agoApache CloudberryApache Cloudberry 2.1.0 official release
  8. 7mo agoApache SkyWalking10.4.0 - GenAI Observability, Groovy-Free Runtime and Grafana Tempo Compatible ⚡
  9. 7mo agoApache CloudberryApache Cloudberry 2.1.0 second release candidate
  10. 10mo agoApache SkyWalking10.3.0 - New Trace Model in BanyanDB
  11. 1y agoApache SkyWalking10.2.0 - No H2, More BanyanDB ⚡

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between Apache Cloudberry and Apache SkyWalking?

They serve adjacent needs but don't currently overlap on shipped themes. Apache Cloudberry is currently shipping more aggressively (velocity 5.0 vs 3.8), with 0 editorial sparks in the last 30 days against 1. See the at-a-glance table above for a side-by-side breakdown of velocity, recent sparks, and editorial themes.

Is Apache Cloudberry better than Apache SkyWalking?

Sparkpulse doesn't pick a winner — we score release velocity, not feature parity. Apache Cloudberry is currently shipping more aggressively (velocity 5.0 vs 3.8), with 0 editorial sparks in the last 30 days against 1. For your specific use case, the alternatives sections above list other Analytics products to evaluate alongside.

What are the best alternatives to Apache Cloudberry?

Top Apache Cloudberry alternatives in Analytics are ranked by recent ship velocity. Browse the "Apache Cloudberry alternatives" section above for the current picks, or visit /alternatives/apache-cloudberry for the full list with editorial commentary on each.

What are the best alternatives to Apache SkyWalking?

Top Apache SkyWalking alternatives in Analytics are ranked by recent ship velocity. Browse the "Apache SkyWalking alternatives" section above for the current picks, or visit /alternatives/skywalking for the full list with editorial commentary on each.