Use the Simba ODBC and JDBC drivers for BigQuery

The Simba Open Database Connectivity (ODBC) and Java Database Connectivity(JDBC) drivers for BigQuery connect your applications toBigQuery, letting you use BigQuery features withyour preferred tooling and infrastructure. Generally, the JDBC driver is usedwith Java applications, and the ODBC driver is used otherwise.

The Simba ODBC and JDBC drivers are developed byinsightsoftware, aGoogle Cloud Ready - BigQuery partner.As an alternative to the Simba JDBC driver, aGoogle-developed JDBC driver for BigQueryis available inPreview.

Limitations

The Simba ODBC and JDBC drivers for BigQuery are subject to thefollowing limitations:

Before you begin

When you use the Simba ODBC and JDBC drivers for BigQuery, youhave the option to read data with the BigQuery Storage Read API, instead of withthe standard BigQuery API. In the insightsoftware documentation, thisfeature is called theHigh-Throughput API. If you plan to use this optionalfeature, ensure that you have therequired roles.

Required roles for the High-Throughput API

To get the permissions that you need to use the High-Throughput API, ask your administrator to grant you theBigQuery Read Session User (roles/bigquery.readSessionUser) IAM role on your BigQuery project. For more information about granting roles, seeManage access to projects, folders, and organizations.

This predefined role contains the permissions required to use the High-Throughput API. To see the exact permissions that are required, expand theRequired permissions section:

Required permissions

The following permissions are required to use the High-Throughput API:

  • resourcemanager.projects.get
  • resourcemanager.projects.list
  • bigquery.readsessions.create
  • bigquery.readsessions.getData
  • bigquery.readsessions.update

You might also be able to get these permissions withcustom roles or otherpredefined roles.

Install and configure the Simba ODBC driver for BigQuery

  1. Download the 3.1.6.1026 version of the driver for your operating system:

  2. Follow the instructions in theinsightsoftware installation and configuration guide.

For information on feature changes and workflow updates, seeSimba Google BigQuery ODBC Data Connector Release Notes.

To see a list of previous driver versions, expand the following section:

Previous Simba ODBC driver versions

3.1.5.1022

3.1.4.1020

3.1.2.1009

3.1.2.1004

3.0.7.1016

3.0.5.1011

3.0.4.1008

3.0.3.1006

3.0.2.1005

3.0.0.1001

2.5.2.1004

2.5.0.1001

2.4.6.1015

2.4.5.1014

2.4.3.1012

2.4.1.1009

2.4.0.1002

2.3.5.1009

2.3.3.1005

2.3.2.1003

Install and configure the Simba JDBC driver for BigQuery

Note: As an alternative to the Simba JDBC driver, aGoogle-developed JDBC driver for BigQueryis available inPreview.

  1. Download the1.6.5.1002 version of the driver.

  2. Follow the instructions in theinsightsoftware installation and configuration guide.

For information on feature changes and workflow updates, seeSimba Google BigQuery JDBC Data Connector Release Notes.

To see a list of previous driver versions, expand the following section:

Previous Simba JDBC driver versions

Support

Support for the Simba ODBC and JDBC drivers for BigQuery isavailable through standardCloud Customer Care channels.

Pricing

You can download the Simba ODBC and JDBC drivers for BigQueryat no cost, and you don't need any additional licenses to use the drivers.However, when you use the driver, the following BigQuery pricingapplies:

What's next

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Last updated 2026-02-18 UTC.