The shift from traditional row-based log storage solutions to analytical databases with columnar storage is driven by the need for efficient data analysis, metric calculation, debugging, and security audits, which require varying log retrieval and storage strategies. Columnar storage offers significant advantages in terms of cost and efficiency, as it allows for greater data compression and faster scanning by storing all entries for a given column together, which facilitates both storage and retrieval processes. This approach is particularly beneficial for use cases involving large datasets with long retention periods, such as security audits, where data breaches may be detected months after they occur. Additionally, solutions with decoupled storage and compute, like Oxla, further reduce costs by using distributed object storage, avoiding the need for extensive data replication and enabling pricing based on actual data stored. However, for scenarios where logs are concise, and queries are highly selective and text-based, traditional solutions like ElasticSearch may be more suitable due to their optimized retrieval capabilities for small data subsets.