DataStax Astra

datastax.com/products/datastax-astra
Database
Few Days

Manage data for AI at scale

How to Replace DataStax Astra

Overview

DataStax Astra is an AI-ready data platform that enables enterprises to manage real-time, unstructured and multimodal data for AI at scale. It combines Astra DB, Hyper-converged Database (HCD), and Langflow to provide open, hybrid infrastructure for secure, governed, and production-grade AI and application workloads that runs on-prem, hybrid, or multi-cloud.

Features

29 features across 18 categories

AI(1)

Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG)AI

Built-in RAG capabilities for retrieving and embedding knowledge to enhance generative AI applications

Also in: monday.com, Notion, Airtable

AI Development(2)

LangflowAI

Open-source low-code tool with 100,000+ GitHub stars for building and deploying RAG and multi-agent AI applications

Multi-agent AI ApplicationsAI

Support for building and deploying multi-agent AI applications through low-code interface

Also in: Five9, GoodData

Data Integration(1)

Unstructured Data Ingestion

Automated ingestion of unstructured data to reduce friction in AI workload deployment

Data Management(1)

Multi-model Data Support

Support for tabular, search, and graph data types in a single platform

Also in: monday.com, Notion, Airtable

Data Modeling(1)

Knowledge Graph SupportAI

Knowledge graph capabilities for complex, context-sensitive searches across diverse data formats

Data Processing(1)

Unstructured Data EnrichmentAI

Automated enrichment of unstructured data for improved AI model performance

Data Retrieval(1)

Unstructured Data RetrievalAI

Efficient retrieval mechanisms for unstructured data to accelerate AI applications

Also in: Zapier

Database(2)

Astra DBAI

NoSQL vector database built on Apache Cassandra with vector search capabilities for AI workloads

Hyper-converged Database (HCD)AIPremium

Database solution for on-premise or private cloud deployments with vector capabilities and multi-model support

Also in: Microsoft 365, Lacework, Airtable

Development(2)

Low-code Interface

Intuitive low-code interface for rapid prototyping and deployment of AI applications

Python-based Development

Langflow built in Python and designed to work across models, APIs and databases

Governance(3)

Data GovernancePremium

Comprehensive governance tooling with enterprise-grade data access control and orchestration

Lineage TrackingPremium

Data lineage tracking for governance and compliance

Version ControlPremium

Version control capabilities for data and configurations

Infrastructure(3)

Hybrid Deployment

Support for hybrid cloud deployments combining on-premises and cloud resources

Multi-cloud Deployment

Deploy across on-premises, cloud, and hybrid environments with flexible tooling

On-premises Deployment

On-premises deployment option for organizations requiring data residency control

Integration(1)

watsonx IntegrationAI

Seamless integration with IBM watsonx.data and watsonx Orchestrate for AI workflows

Performance(4)

Elastic Scalability

Elastic scaling capabilities for handling variable workloads efficiently

Linear Scalability

Linear scaling for predictable performance as workloads grow

Near-zero Latency

Real-time performance with near-zero latency for mission-critical workloads

Query Engine Selection

Multiple fit-for-purpose query engines (Gluten, Spark, Presto, Cassandra, Milvus) to optimize cost and performance

Pricing(1)

Consumption-based Pricing

Pay-as-you-go pricing model with resource units that scale with usage

Reliability(1)

High Availability

Built-in support for high availability and fault tolerance

Security(2)

Access PoliciesPremium

Fine-grained access policies for data security and compliance

Enterprise-grade SecurityPremium

Built-in encryption, access controls, and security features for enterprise deployments

Technology(1)

Open-source Foundation

Built on open-source technologies including Apache Cassandra, Langflow, and OpenSearch

Pricing

Lite

Free
  • 500 free resource units
  • Get started with DataStax Astra

SaaS Pay-As-You-Go

Custom - Pay per use
  • Consumption-based pricing
  • No upfront commitment
  • Pay only for what you use
  • Enterprise production use
  • Cassandra: 0.2 RU/hr/vCPU + 0.02 RU/hr/GB
  • Milvus Starter: 1.25 RUs/hr
  • Milvus Small: 2.75 RUs/hr
  • Milvus Medium: 9.75 RUs/hr
  • Milvus Large: 16.50 RUs/hr
  • Spark Starter: 2.00 RUs/hr
  • Spark Small: 11.20 RUs/hr
  • Spark Medium: 19.60 RUs/hr
  • Spark Large: 36.40 RUs/hr
  • Presto Starter: 0.7 RUs/hr
  • Presto Extra Small: 2.3 RUs/hr
  • Presto Small: 8.6 RUs/hr
  • Presto Medium: 17.7 RUs/hr
  • Presto Large: 68.2 RUs/hr
  • Presto Extra Large: 167.5 RUs/hr

SaaS Subscription

Custom - Subscription
  • Set subscription package
  • Budget optimization
  • Enterprise production use

Bring Your Own Cloud (BYOC)

Custom
  • Pay for software only
  • Use your own cloud infrastructure
  • Leverage existing cloud provider credits
  • Infrastructure sovereignty
  • Control over data residency and security

On-Premises Software

Custom
  • Entitlement-based pricing
  • Predictable cost management
  • Leverage IBM Power and Fusion HCI investments

Cost Calculator

Pricing data not available for DataStax Astra. Check their website for current pricing.

Build vs Buy

Should you build a DataStax Astra alternative or buy the subscription? Estimate based on 29 features.

Buy DataStax Astra

Better Value
Monthly costContact Sales
3-year totalVaries
Time to deployDays

Build Your Own

Development cost$24,000
Maintenance$360/mo
3-year total$36,960
Dev time~2 months

Buying DataStax Astra saves ~$36,960 over 3 years vs building.

Estimates based on 29 features and a BuildScore of 4/5. Actual costs vary.

Integrations

7 known integrations

Apache CassandraAWSAWS MarketplaceIBM CloudIBM watsonx OrchestrateIBM watsonx.dataOpenSearch