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Head to head · 2026

MotherDuck vs Quadratic

Pricing, free plans, ratings, features, pros and cons, side by side. Where one comes out ahead, we mark it.

MotherDuck

A cloud-hosted version of DuckDB, for data that doesn't need Snowflake

4.3$25/mo

Visit MotherDuck (opens MotherDuck in a new tab)

Quadratic

Spreadsheet that runs Python and SQL, connects to your database, and answers in plain English

4.2Not listed

Visit Quadratic (opens Quadratic in a new tab)

Who comes out ahead

Based only on the facts in our directory. The right pick still depends on the job you need done.

  • Lower starting price

    Not comparable

    Not comparable: Quadratic does not list a price

  • Free plan

    MotherDuck

    Only MotherDuck has one

  • Higher rating

    MotherDuck

    4.3 against 4.2

  • Same job?

    Yes

    Both are Data and Analytics tools

Side by side

Compared onMotherDuckQuadratic
Our rating4.3Better4.2
Starts at$25/moNot listed
Free planYesBetterNo
CategoryData and AnalyticsData and Analytics
Plans
  • FreeFree
  • Standard$25/mo
See pricing
Key features
  • Cloud-hosted version of the open-source DuckDB database
  • Founding team closely tied to DuckDB's original development
  • Built for small-to-medium analytical workloads specifically
  • Lower complexity than distributed platforms like Snowflake or BigQuery
  • Free tier for smaller workloads
  • Python, SQL and formulas in the same grid
  • Live connections to Postgres, Snowflake, BigQuery and more
  • Natural-language questions that generate the code
  • PDF data extraction and scheduled tasks
  • Spreadsheet API and MCP integration
Pros
  • Right-sized for workloads that don't need massive distributed infrastructure
  • Backed by the team closely involved in DuckDB's original development
  • Lower cost and complexity than over-provisioned enterprise platforms
  • Removes the export-to-CSV step where analysis goes stale
  • Three languages in one grid rather than three tools
  • MCP support so agents can work the sheet
Cons
  • Not built for genuinely massive, distributed-computing-scale workloads
  • Newer company with a shorter track record than established cloud data warehouses
  • Best value requires workloads matched to its specific scale niche
  • No pricing figures published, only a free trial
  • Python in a spreadsheet is less shareable than formulas
  • Live database connections inside sheets raise governance questions
CompanyMotherDuck, founded 2022Quadratic Growth Inc.

Prices come from each vendor's pricing page, last checked 20260814. Check the vendor before you buy.

FAQ

Questions people ask

Is MotherDuck better than Quadratic?

In our reviews MotherDuck scores 4.3 and Quadratic scores 4.2. The better pick depends on the job. MotherDuck: A cloud-hosted version of DuckDB, for data that doesn't need Snowflake. Quadratic: Spreadsheet that runs Python and SQL, connects to your database, and answers in plain English.

Which is cheaper, MotherDuck or Quadratic?

MotherDuck: from $25/mo. Quadratic: see pricing.

Do MotherDuck and Quadratic have free plans?

Only MotherDuck has a free plan.

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