Softwr

Machine Learning & Data Science · head to head

Anaconda vs Apache Spark MLlib

Anaconda logo

Anaconda

Machine Learning & Data Science

The world's most popular data science 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: Anaconda dependency resolution slower than pip due to SAT solver complexity; 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: Anaconda covers Conda package manager, Apache Spark MLlib covers Classification.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Anaconda and Apache Spark MLlib differ
AttributeAnacondaApache Spark MLlib
Pricing modelUnknownopen-source
PlatformsWindows, macOS, Linux, Web/CloudLinux, macOS, Windows
Founded20121999

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 Anaconda

  • Conda package manager
  • Environment management
  • 1500+ packages
  • Navigator GUI
  • Cross-platform support
  • Jupyter
  • VS Code
  • PyCharm

Only in Apache Spark MLlib

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

Both cover

  • Linux support
  • Mac support
  • Windows support

What people use each for

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

Anaconda

  • Machine learningnot Apache Spark MLlib
  • Data analysisnot Apache Spark MLlib
  • Model trainingnot Apache Spark MLlib
  • Predictive analyticsnot Apache Spark MLlib

Apache Spark MLlib

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

Where each one falls short

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

Anaconda

  • Dependency resolution slower than pip due to SAT solver complexity
  • Not all PyPI packages available through default Anaconda repository
  • Requires paid licenses for organizations with 200+ employees
  • Larger disk footprint than minimal Python installations

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

Anaconda

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 600+ pre-installed packages
    • Anaconda Navigator
    • 5GB cloud storage
  • Starter$15/month
    • 10GB cloud storage per user
    • Professional development environment
    • Team workspace controls
  • Business$50/month
    • Automated vulnerability scanning
    • Audit trails
    • Enterprise SSO

Apache Spark MLlib

Free

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

Which should you pick?

Choose Anaconda if

  • You need conda package manager.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, macOS, Linux, Web/Cloud.
  • You also want environment management.
Anaconda 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 Anaconda or Apache Spark MLlib better?
Neither clearly leads. Anaconda 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, Anaconda or Apache Spark MLlib?
Anaconda starts at Free and Apache Spark MLlib at Free.
Does Anaconda or Apache Spark MLlib run on more platforms?
Anaconda runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, Web/Cloud. Apache Spark MLlib runs on Linux, macOS, Windows.
Can I use Anaconda for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Anaconda best used for?
Anaconda is most often used for machine learning, data analysis, model training, predictive analytics. Of those, machine learning and data analysis are not what Apache Spark MLlib is typically brought in for.
What can Anaconda do that Apache Spark MLlib cannot?
Anaconda covers Conda package manager, Environment management, 1500+ packages, Navigator GUI. Apache Spark MLlib covers Classification, Regression, Clustering, Collaborative filtering. Both handle Linux support, Mac support, Windows support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Anaconda: Does Anaconda have a free version?

Yes. Anaconda Distribution is free and includes 600+ pre-installed data science packages, Navigator, and 5GB of cloud storage. Organizations with 200+ employees must use paid plans unless they qualify for academic or non-profit exemptions.

Source
Anaconda: What is the difference between Anaconda Distribution and Miniconda?

Anaconda Distribution includes 600+ pre-installed packages optimized for data science out of the box. Miniconda is lightweight with only conda, Python, and essential packages, requiring manual installation of additional libraries.

Source
Anaconda: Does Anaconda integrate with VS Code?

Yes. Anaconda environments can be activated in VS Code, and you can run Jupyter Notebooks directly. Both JupyterLab and conda can be managed through the VS Code Jupyter extension.

Source
Anaconda: What platforms does Anaconda support?

Anaconda runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux, with cloud-based deployment options. Anaconda Notebooks provides a cloud-based JupyterLab environment requiring no local installation.

Source
Anaconda: Do all PyPI packages work with Anaconda?

Not all PyPI packages are available through Anaconda's default conda repository. When a package is unavailable in conda, you can install it from conda-forge or pip as an alternative.

Source
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on Anaconda

More on Apache Spark MLlib

Keep looking

Other head to heads