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Spreadsheet & Data · head to head

Apache Superset vs Databricks

Apache Superset logo

Apache Superset

Spreadsheet & Data

Modern data exploration and visualization platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Databricks logo

Databricks

Machine Learning & Data Science

Unified analytics platform for data engineering and data science

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Apache Superset distributed under Apache License 2.0 with no official vendor-hosted SaaS; deploying it requires self-managed infrastructure since the Apache Software Foundation does not sell a managed offering.; Databricks cloud compute is billed separately by the cloud provider on top of Databricks DBU charges
  • They diverge on capability: Apache Superset covers 40+ Visualizations, Databricks covers Delta Lake.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Apache Superset and Databricks actually diverge.

Attributes where Apache Superset and Databricks differ
AttributeApache SupersetDatabricks
Pricing modelopen-sourceusage-based
PlatformsWeb, Self-hosted, DockerWeb, Aws, Azure, Gcp
CategorySpreadsheet & DataMachine Learning & Data Science
Founded19992013

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated).

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 Apache Superset

  • 40+ Visualizations
  • SQL IDE
  • Semantic Layer
  • Caching
  • Security
  • PostgreSQL
  • MySQL
  • Presto

Only in Databricks

  • Delta Lake
  • Apache Spark
  • MLflow
  • Unity Catalog
  • Photon Engine
  • Collaborative Notebooks
  • Auto-scaling
  • AWS

Both cover

  • Web support

What people use each for

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

Apache Superset

  • Self-service analyticsnot Databricks
  • Data explorationnot Databricks
  • Ad-hoc reportingnot Databricks
  • Collaborative analysisnot Databricks
  • Embedded analyticsnot Databricks

Databricks

  • Running Spark data engineering pipelines on managed clustersnot Apache Superset
  • Building a lakehouse over data in cloud object storagenot Apache Superset
  • Training and serving machine learning models alongside the datanot Apache Superset

Where each one falls short

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

Apache Superset

  • Distributed under Apache License 2.0 with no official vendor-hosted SaaS; deploying it requires self-managed infrastructure since the Apache Software Foundation does not sell a managed offering.

Databricks

  • Cloud compute is billed separately by the cloud provider on top of Databricks DBU charges
  • The free trial lasts 14 days
  • Discounts require a Committed Use Contract, with larger commitments needed for larger discounts
  • Azure Databricks pricing is set by Microsoft rather than by Databricks
  • Security and compliance capabilities are sold as separate platform add ons rather than included in the base rate

Pricing, plan by plan

Apache Superset

Free
  • Open SourceFree
    • Full Features
    • Self-hosted
    • Community Support

Databricks

Free
  • Community EditionFree
    • Limited cluster
    • Notebook environment
    • Community support
  • Standard$0.07/DBU
    • Jobs compute
    • SQL compute
    • Standard support

Which should you pick?

Choose Apache Superset if

  • You need 40+ visualizations.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Self-hosted, Docker.
  • You also want sql ide.
Apache Superset review

Choose Databricks if

  • You need delta lake.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Aws, Azure, Gcp.
  • You also want apache spark.
Databricks review

Questions people ask

Is Apache Superset or Databricks better?
Neither clearly leads. Apache Superset starts at Free and Databricks at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Apache Superset or Databricks?
Apache Superset starts at Free and Databricks at Free.
Does Apache Superset or Databricks run on more platforms?
Apache Superset runs on Web, Self-hosted, Docker. Databricks runs on Web, Aws, Azure, Gcp.
Can I use Apache Superset for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Apache Superset best used for?
Apache Superset is most often used for self-service analytics, data exploration, ad-hoc reporting, collaborative analysis. Of those, self-service analytics and data exploration are not what Databricks is typically brought in for.
What can Apache Superset do that Databricks cannot?
Apache Superset covers 40+ Visualizations, SQL IDE, Semantic Layer, Caching. Databricks covers Delta Lake, Apache Spark, MLflow, Unity Catalog. Both handle Web support.
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