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Machine Learning & Data Science · head to head

Alteryx vs Azure Machine Learning

Alteryx logo

Alteryx

Machine Learning & Data Science

Analytics automation platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Azure Machine Learning logo

Azure Machine Learning

Machine Learning & Data Science

Enterprise-grade machine learning service

From
Free
Rated
-

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Alteryx starter is $250 per user per month billed annually, and the Professional and Enterprise editions are quote-only; Azure Machine Learning requires knowledge of Azure ecosystem and integration with other Azure services
  • They diverge on capability: Alteryx covers Data preparation, Azure Machine Learning covers Automated ML.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Alteryx and Azure Machine Learning actually diverge.

Attributes where Alteryx and Azure Machine Learning differ
AttributeAlteryxAzure Machine Learning
Pricing modelsubscriptionusage-based
PlatformsWindows, WebAzure Cloud
Founded19971975

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Machine Learning & Data Science).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Alteryx

  • Data preparation
  • Data blending
  • Predictive analytics
  • Spatial analytics
  • Reporting
  • Python
  • R
  • Snowflake

Only in Azure Machine Learning

  • Automated ML
  • Designer (drag-and-drop)
  • Notebooks
  • MLOps
  • Model registry
  • Azure Blob Storage
  • Azure DevOps
  • Power BI

Both cover

  • Web support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Alteryx

  • Data preparation and building AI-ready datasetsnot Azure Machine Learning
  • Predictive analytics without writing codenot Azure Machine Learning
  • Automating and orchestrating repeatable analytics workflowsnot Azure Machine Learning
  • Enterprise reporting with governed, reusable logicnot Azure Machine Learning
  • Connecting to Snowflake, Databricks and cloud warehouses alongside on-premises systemsnot Azure Machine Learning

Azure Machine Learning

  • Machine learningnot Alteryx
  • Data analysisnot Alteryx
  • Model trainingnot Alteryx
  • Predictive analyticsnot Alteryx

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Alteryx

  • Starter is $250 per user per month billed annually, and the Professional and Enterprise editions are quote-only
  • Automation runs are metered, with 50 included on Starter and 15,000 on Professional, and more must be bought
  • Cost depends on three separate dimensions at once: edition, user role and automation capacity
  • Advanced analytics, governance and orchestration are withheld from the entry edition

Azure Machine Learning

  • Requires knowledge of Azure ecosystem and integration with other Azure services
  • Compute resources for training and inference generate separate charges

Pricing, plan by plan

Alteryx

Free
  • TrialFree
    • 14-day trial
    • Full features
  • Designer Desktop$5195/year
    • Data prep
    • Blending
    • Analytics

Azure Machine Learning

Free
  • Free TierFree
    • Limited compute
    • Basic features
  • Pay-as-you-go$0.05/hour
    • Full platform
    • All compute options
    • Enterprise features

Which should you pick?

Choose Alteryx if

  • You need data preparation.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Web.
  • You also want data blending.

Choose Azure Machine Learning if

  • You need automated ml.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Azure Cloud.
  • You also want designer (drag-and-drop).

Questions people ask

Is Alteryx or Azure Machine Learning better?
Neither clearly leads. Alteryx starts at Free and Azure Machine Learning at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Alteryx or Azure Machine Learning?
Alteryx starts at Free and Azure Machine Learning at Free.
Does Alteryx or Azure Machine Learning run on more platforms?
Alteryx runs on Windows, Web. Azure Machine Learning runs on Azure Cloud.
Can I use Alteryx for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Alteryx best used for?
Alteryx is most often used for data preparation and building ai-ready datasets, predictive analytics without writing code, automating and orchestrating repeatable analytics workflows, enterprise reporting with governed, reusable logic. Of those, data preparation and building ai-ready datasets and predictive analytics without writing code are not what Azure Machine Learning is typically brought in for.
What can Alteryx do that Azure Machine Learning cannot?
Alteryx covers Data preparation, Data blending, Predictive analytics, Spatial analytics. Azure Machine Learning covers Automated ML, Designer (drag-and-drop), Notebooks, MLOps. Both handle Web support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Azure Machine Learning: Does Azure Machine Learning have any platform licensing fees?

No, Azure Machine Learning carries no extra cost. You only pay for the underlying compute resources utilized during model training or inference.

Source
Azure Machine Learning: What AutoML capabilities does Azure Machine Learning provide?

Azure Machine Learning supports automated model creation for classification, regression, vision, and natural language processing tasks.

Source
Azure Machine Learning: Does Azure ML support language model fine-tuning?

Yes, Azure Machine Learning supports fine-tuning of foundation models from providers including OpenAI, Meta, Hugging Face, and Cohere.

Source
Azure Machine Learning: What MLOps features are included?

Azure ML includes end-to-end pipeline automation with CI/CD capabilities, managed endpoints for model deployment, and monitoring tools.

Source
Azure Machine Learning: Can I access foundation models from multiple vendors?

Yes, Azure Machine Learning provides access to a model catalog with foundation models from Microsoft, OpenAI, Hugging Face, Meta, and Cohere.

Source

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