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BentoML vs Databricks

BentoML logo

BentoML

Software

Build production-ready ML applications

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Databricks logo

Databricks

Software

Unified analytics platform for data engineering and data science

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: BentoML core BentoML framework is Apache 2.0 and free, but the managed BentoCloud enterprise tier has no published pricing: the README instructs buyers to sign up for personal access or contact sales for enterprise use, with no rate card shown.; Databricks cloud compute is billed separately by the cloud provider on top of Databricks DBU charges
  • They diverge on capability: BentoML covers Model packaging, Databricks covers Delta Lake.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which BentoML and Databricks actually diverge.

Attributes where BentoML and Databricks differ
AttributeBentoMLDatabricks
Pricing modelfreemiumusage-based
PlatformsLinux, Mac, WindowsWeb, Aws, Azure, Gcp
Founded20192013

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

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 BentoML

  • Model packaging
  • REST API generation
  • Adaptive batching
  • Multi-framework support
  • Container deployment
  • PyTorch
  • TensorFlow
  • scikit-learn

Only in Databricks

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

What people use each for

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

BentoML

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

Databricks

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

Where each one falls short

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

BentoML

  • Core BentoML framework is Apache 2.0 and free, but the managed BentoCloud enterprise tier has no published pricing: the README instructs buyers to sign up for personal access or contact sales for enterprise use, with no rate card shown.

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

BentoML

Free
  • Open SourceFree
    • Model packaging
    • API creation
    • Local serving
  • BentoCloudFree
    • Managed deployment
    • Auto-scaling
    • Monitoring

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 BentoML if

  • You need model packaging.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, Mac, Windows.
  • You also want rest api generation.
BentoML 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 BentoML or Databricks better?
Neither clearly leads. BentoML 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, BentoML or Databricks?
BentoML starts at Free and Databricks at Free.
Does BentoML or Databricks run on more platforms?
BentoML runs on Linux, Mac, Windows. Databricks runs on Web, Aws, Azure, Gcp.
Can I use BentoML for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is BentoML best used for?
BentoML is most often used for machine learning, data analysis, model training, predictive analytics. Of those, machine learning and data analysis are not what Databricks is typically brought in for.
What can BentoML do that Databricks cannot?
BentoML covers Model packaging, REST API generation, Adaptive batching, Multi-framework support. Databricks covers Delta Lake, Apache Spark, MLflow, Unity Catalog.
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