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Machine Learning · head to head

BigQuery ML vs Comet ML

BigQuery ML logo

BigQuery ML

Machine Learning

Machine learning in BigQuery using SQL

From
Free
Rated
-
Comet ML logo

Comet ML

Machine Learning

Platform for tracking, comparing, and optimizing ML experiments

From
Free
Rated
-

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: BigQuery ML not available in BigQuery's Standard edition, so the cheapest tier cannot use it; Comet ML the free cloud tier caps data at 25,000 spans a month with 60 day retention
  • They diverge on capability: BigQuery ML covers SQL-based ML, Comet ML covers Experiment tracking.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which BigQuery ML and Comet ML actually diverge.

Attributes where BigQuery ML and Comet ML differ
AttributeBigQuery MLComet ML
Pricing modelusage-basedfreemium
PlatformsWebWeb, Linux, Mac, Windows
Founded20082017

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 BigQuery ML

  • SQL-based ML
  • AutoML Tables
  • Model export
  • Prediction functions
  • Feature preprocessing
  • BigQuery
  • Vertex AI
  • Cloud Storage

Only in Comet ML

  • Experiment tracking
  • Code versioning
  • Model registry
  • Hyperparameter optimization
  • Production monitoring
  • PyTorch
  • Keras
  • scikit-learn

Both cover

  • TensorFlow
  • Web support

What people use each for

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

BigQuery ML

  • Training models in SQL without exporting datanot Comet ML
  • Linear and logistic regression on warehouse datanot Comet ML
  • K-means clustering and matrix factorisation for recommendationsnot Comet ML
  • Time series forecasting with ARIMA_PLUSnot Comet ML
  • Running imported ONNX, TensorFlow or XGBoost models against BigQuery datanot Comet ML

Comet ML

  • LLM observability and monitoringnot BigQuery ML
  • AI agent testing and debuggingnot BigQuery ML
  • Experiment tracking for machine learningnot BigQuery ML
  • Model registry and version managementnot BigQuery ML
  • ML model training monitoringnot BigQuery ML

Where each one falls short

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

BigQuery ML

  • Not available in BigQuery's Standard edition, so the cheapest tier cannot use it
  • Billed through BigQuery compute and storage rather than as its own product, so training cost tracks data scanned
  • Remote models incur extra Agent Platform charges on top
  • Externally trained model types such as boosted trees and AutoML run through Agent Platform rather than inside BigQuery

Comet ML

  • The free cloud tier caps data at 25,000 spans a month with 60 day retention
  • Retention stays at 60 days even on the paid Pro plan, and extending it is a $29 per 100k spans add on
  • Overage on Pro is $5 per additional 100,000 spans
  • The free MLOps tier is a single user with 100 GB of storage and training hours governed by a fair usage policy
  • Pro MLOps is $19 per user per month and caps the team at 10 users

Pricing, plan by plan

BigQuery ML

Free
  • Free TierFree
    • 10GB storage
    • 1TB queries
  • On-Demand$5/TB
    • Pay per TB scanned
    • ML training costs

Comet ML

Free
  • Free CloudFree
    • Up to 10 team members
    • 25,000 spans per month
    • 60-day data retention
  • Pro Cloud$19/month
    • Up to 50 team members
    • 100,000 spans per month
    • 60-day data retention
  • MLOps FreeFree
    • 1 user with fair usage policy
    • Experiment tracking
    • Dataset management
  • MLOps Pro$19/user/month
    • Up to 10 users
    • 1,500 training hours included
    • 500GB storage included

Which should you pick?

Choose BigQuery ML if

  • You need sql-based ml.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want automl tables.

Choose Comet ML if

  • You need experiment tracking.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Linux, Mac, Windows.
  • You also want code versioning.

Questions people ask

Is BigQuery ML or Comet ML better?
Neither clearly leads. BigQuery ML starts at Free and Comet ML at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, BigQuery ML or Comet ML?
BigQuery ML starts at Free and Comet ML at Free.
Does BigQuery ML or Comet ML run on more platforms?
BigQuery ML runs on Web. Comet ML runs on Web, Linux, Mac, Windows.
Can I use BigQuery ML for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is BigQuery ML best used for?
BigQuery ML is most often used for training models in sql without exporting data, linear and logistic regression on warehouse data, k-means clustering and matrix factorisation for recommendations, time series forecasting with arima_plus. Of those, training models in sql without exporting data and linear and logistic regression on warehouse data are not what Comet ML is typically brought in for.
What can BigQuery ML do that Comet ML cannot?
BigQuery ML covers SQL-based ML, AutoML Tables, Model export, Prediction functions. Comet ML covers Experiment tracking, Code versioning, Model registry, Hyperparameter optimization. Both handle TensorFlow, Web support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

BigQuery ML: How much does Google Cloud BigQuery ML cost?

BigQuery ML pricing is not specified separately on Google Cloud's pricing page. It follows the same pay-as-you-go model as BigQuery, charging per terabyte of data scanned during analysis. Customers receive $300 in free credits and can use 20+ products free up to monthly limits.

Source
Comet ML: Does Comet.ml offer a free plan?

Yes, Comet.ml offers free tiers for both Opik (cloud observability) and MLOps platforms. Free Cloud Opik includes up to 10 team members and 25,000 spans/month. Free MLOps tier is limited to 1 user.

Source
BigQuery ML: Does Google Cloud offer a free trial?

Yes, new customers get $300 in free credits and all customers can use 20+ Google Cloud products free up to their monthly usage limits.

Source
Comet ML: How many team members can use the free Comet.ml tier?

Free Cloud supports up to 10 team members. The Pro Cloud plan supports up to 50 team members at $19/month.

Source
Comet ML: What is a span in Comet.ml pricing?

A span represents a single tracked operation such as model requests or function calls. Free Cloud tier includes 25,000 spans per month.

Source
Comet ML: Does Comet.ml offer academic pricing?

Yes, a free Pro plan is available for academic users; verification is required via signup.

Source
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