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Machine Learning & Data Science · head to head

Alteryx vs Apache Spark MLlib

Alteryx logo

Alteryx

Machine Learning & Data Science

Analytics automation platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Apache Spark MLlib logo

Apache Spark MLlib

Machine Learning & Data Science

Scalable machine learning on Apache Spark

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

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; Apache Spark MLlib apache Spark MLlib is Apache 2.0 licensed and free with no paid tier from the Apache project itself; SLA-backed support has to be sourced from a third party such as a managed Spark vendor rather than from Apache.
  • They diverge on capability: Alteryx covers Data preparation, Apache Spark MLlib covers Classification.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Alteryx and Apache Spark MLlib actually diverge.

Attributes where Alteryx and Apache Spark MLlib differ
AttributeAlteryxApache Spark MLlib
Pricing modelsubscriptionopen-source
PlatformsWindows, WebLinux, macOS, Windows
Founded19971999

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 Apache Spark MLlib

  • Classification
  • Regression
  • Clustering
  • Collaborative filtering
  • Feature engineering
  • Apache Spark
  • Hadoop
  • Kafka

Both cover

  • Windows 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 Apache Spark MLlib
  • Predictive analytics without writing codenot Apache Spark MLlib
  • Automating and orchestrating repeatable analytics workflowsnot Apache Spark MLlib
  • Enterprise reporting with governed, reusable logicnot Apache Spark MLlib
  • Connecting to Snowflake, Databricks and cloud warehouses alongside on-premises systemsnot Apache Spark MLlib

Apache Spark MLlib

  • Large-scale distributed machine learning on Spark clustersnot Alteryx
  • Classification and regression with decision trees, random forests, gradient-boosted treesnot Alteryx
  • Clustering with K-means and Gaussian Mixture Modelsnot 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

Apache Spark MLlib

  • Apache Spark MLlib is Apache 2.0 licensed and free with no paid tier from the Apache project itself; SLA-backed support has to be sourced from a third party such as a managed Spark vendor rather than from Apache.

Pricing, plan by plan

Alteryx

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

Apache Spark MLlib

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Apache Spark MLlib review.

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.
Alteryx review

Choose Apache Spark MLlib if

  • You need classification.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, macOS, Windows.
  • You also want regression.
Apache Spark MLlib review

Questions people ask

Is Alteryx or Apache Spark MLlib better?
Neither clearly leads. Alteryx starts at Free and Apache Spark MLlib at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Alteryx or Apache Spark MLlib?
Alteryx starts at Free and Apache Spark MLlib at Free.
Does Alteryx or Apache Spark MLlib run on more platforms?
Alteryx runs on Windows, Web. Apache Spark MLlib runs on Linux, macOS, Windows.
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 Apache Spark MLlib is typically brought in for.
What can Alteryx do that Apache Spark MLlib cannot?
Alteryx covers Data preparation, Data blending, Predictive analytics, Spatial analytics. Apache Spark MLlib covers Classification, Regression, Clustering, Collaborative filtering. Both handle Windows support.
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