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Machine Learning · head to head

Azure Machine Learning vs ClearML

Azure Machine Learning logo

Azure Machine Learning

Machine Learning

Enterprise-grade machine learning service

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
ClearML logo

ClearML

Machine Learning

Open-source MLOps platform for experiment tracking and orchestration

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Azure Machine Learning requires knowledge of Azure ecosystem and integration with other Azure services; ClearML broad scope means more to learn and more to run than a focused tracking tool
  • They diverge on capability: Azure Machine Learning covers Automated ML, ClearML covers Experiment tracking.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Azure Machine Learning and ClearML differ
AttributeAzure Machine LearningClearML
Pricing modelusage-basedOpen-source self-hosted, with paid hosted and enterprise tiers
PlatformsAzure CloudLinux, macOS, Windows, Docker, Kubernetes
Founded1975Unknown

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

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 Azure Machine Learning

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

Only in ClearML

  • Experiment tracking
  • Remote execution
  • Data versioning
  • Pipelines

What people use each for

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

Azure Machine Learning

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

ClearML

  • Tracking experiments across a team so results are reproduciblenot Azure Machine Learning
  • Moving training from laptops to shared GPU hardware without repackagingnot Azure Machine Learning
  • Versioning datasets alongside the experiments that consumed themnot Azure Machine Learning

Where each one falls short

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

Azure Machine Learning

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

ClearML

  • Broad scope means more to learn and more to run than a focused tracking tool
  • Self-hosting the server is real infrastructure — database, file storage and web server
  • Documentation quality is uneven across the newer parts of the platform
  • Smaller community than the most popular tracking tools, so fewer worked examples exist

Pricing, plan by plan

Azure Machine Learning

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

ClearML

Free
  • Open sourceFree
    • Experiment tracking
    • Pipelines
    • Self-hosted server

Which should you pick?

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).
Azure Machine Learning review

Choose ClearML if

  • You need experiment tracking.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, macOS, Windows, Docker, Kubernetes.
  • You also want remote execution.
ClearML review

Questions people ask

Is Azure Machine Learning or ClearML better?
Neither clearly leads. Azure Machine Learning starts at Free and ClearML at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Azure Machine Learning or ClearML?
Azure Machine Learning starts at Free and ClearML at Free.
Does Azure Machine Learning or ClearML run on more platforms?
Azure Machine Learning runs on Azure Cloud. ClearML runs on Linux, macOS, Windows, Docker, Kubernetes.
Can I use Azure Machine Learning for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Azure Machine Learning best used for?
Azure Machine Learning is most often used for machine learning, data analysis, model training, predictive analytics. Of those, machine learning and data analysis are not what ClearML is typically brought in for.
What can Azure Machine Learning do that ClearML cannot?
Azure Machine Learning covers Automated ML, Designer (drag-and-drop), Notebooks, MLOps. ClearML covers Experiment tracking, Remote execution, Data versioning, Pipelines.

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
ClearML: Is ClearML free?

The open-source version is free and self-hostable. Hosted and enterprise tiers are paid.

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
ClearML: How much code does tracking require?

Very little — adding a couple of lines to an existing training script captures parameters, metrics and environment automatically.

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
ClearML: Does ClearML replace MLflow?

It covers MLflow’s tracking and adds orchestration, remote execution and data versioning. Whether that breadth is an advantage or extra weight depends on whether you need the rest.

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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Related pages

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