#007 - Data Lakehouses in 2025: Which Platform Leads? Iceberg, Databricks, or Snowflake
An unbiased look at the three leading data lakehouse solutions...
Hi, future-ready data leaders; Khurram here 👋
This post is a continuation of my previous post in which we discussed 3 Ways to Succeed on Data Lakes
Which data lakehouse technology is right for you? Today, we'll discuss Iceberg, Delta Lake, and Snowflake.
Introduction
The data lakehouse landscape is evolving rapidly, and three major players are shaping its future: Apache Iceberg, Databricks Delta Lake, and Snowflake. Let’s break down what makes each unique and how they're influencing the $66.4B market.
Today, we'll examine these platforms across five key areas:
The Current State of Play
Key differences
Implementation Considerations
Market Trends and Future Outlook
Making the Choice
Let's dive in.
The Current State of Play
Apache Iceberg is the leading open-source standard, backed by Confluent, Amazon, Snowflake, and Databricks (post-Tabular acquisition).
Databricks pivoted towards open standards by acquiring Tabular (the Iceberg company) in 2024.
Snowflake launched Polaris, an Iceberg metadata catalog, reinforcing the industry's shift towards interoperability.
Key Differentiators
Implementation Considerations
Market Trends and Future Outlook
Making the Choice
Consider these factors when selecting a platform:
Final Thoughts
The industry is converging on open standards, with Iceberg leading the way
Each platform offers unique advantages for different use cases
Cost and flexibility trade-offs remain key decision factors
The future points toward greater interoperability
The data lakehouse market is evolving rapidly, and the lines between these platforms are blurring. While Iceberg provides the foundation, Databricks and Snowflake are adding value through enhanced enterprise features and integrated experiences.
Would you like me to expand on any particular aspect of this comparison?
See you next Tuesday!