Machine Learning · head to head
BigQuery ML vs Helicone
BigQuery ML
Machine Learning
Machine learning in BigQuery using SQL
- From
- Free
- Free plan
- Yes
Helicone
AI
Open-source LLM observability and gateway platform for AI applications
- From
- Free
- Free plan
- Yes
The short version
- Each has a real cost: BigQuery ML not available in BigQuery's Standard edition, so the cheapest tier cannot use it; Helicone the free Hobby plan is capped at 10,000 requests per month, which teams with production traffic can exceed quickly.
- They diverge on capability: BigQuery ML covers SQL-based ML, Helicone covers Request dashboard and tracking.
- Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which BigQuery ML and Helicone actually diverge.
| Attribute | BigQuery ML | Helicone |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | usage-based | freemium |
| Platforms | Web | web, api |
| Category | Machine Learning | AI |
| Founded | 2008 | Unknown |
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 BigQuery ML
- SQL-based ML
- AutoML Tables
- Model export
- Prediction functions
- Feature preprocessing
- BigQuery
- Vertex AI
- TensorFlow
Only in Helicone
- Request dashboard and tracking
- Sessions and segments
- Helicone Query Language (HQL)
- Prompt datasets and improvement
- Playground
- Rate limits and alerts
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 Helicone
- Linear and logistic regression on warehouse datanot Helicone
- K-means clustering and matrix factorisation for recommendationsnot Helicone
- Time series forecasting with ARIMA_PLUSnot Helicone
- Running imported ONNX, TensorFlow or XGBoost models against BigQuery datanot Helicone
Helicone
- Monitoring cost and latency of production LLM applicationsnot BigQuery ML
- Debugging multi-step agent sessionsnot BigQuery ML
- Managing and iterating on prompts across a teamnot BigQuery ML
- Routing requests across multiple LLM providersnot 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
Helicone
- The free Hobby plan is capped at 10,000 requests per month, which teams with production traffic can exceed quickly.
- Advanced compliance features like SOC 2 and HIPAA are only available starting at the $799/month Team plan.
- Usage beyond the free tier is billed on top of the base subscription, adding cost unpredictability at scale.
- On-premises deployment is restricted to the custom Enterprise tier.
Pricing, plan by plan
BigQuery ML
Free- Free TierFree
- 10GB storage
- 1TB queries
- On-Demand$5/TB
- Pay per TB scanned
- ML training costs
Helicone
Free- HobbyFree
- 10,000 free requests
- 1 GB storage
- 1 seat
- Pro$79/month
- 10K free requests included, usage-based beyond
- 7-day free trial
- Unlimited playgrounds and workspaces
- Team$799/month
- 5 organizations
- SOC 2 and HIPAA compliance
- Dedicated Slack channel access
- Enterprise$undefined/mo
- Custom MSAs and SAML SSO
- On-premises deployment
- Bulk cloud discounts
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 Helicone if
- You need request dashboard and tracking.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on web, api.
- You also want sessions and segments.
Questions people ask
- Is BigQuery ML or Helicone better?
- Neither clearly leads. BigQuery ML starts at Free and Helicone at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, BigQuery ML or Helicone?
- BigQuery ML starts at Free and Helicone at Free.
- Does BigQuery ML or Helicone run on more platforms?
- BigQuery ML runs on Web. Helicone runs on web, api.
- 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 Helicone is typically brought in for.
- What can BigQuery ML do that Helicone cannot?
- BigQuery ML covers SQL-based ML, AutoML Tables, Model export, Prediction functions. Helicone covers Request dashboard and tracking, Sessions and segments, Helicone Query Language (HQL), Prompt datasets and improvement.
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.
SourceHelicone: What does Helicone cost?
Helicone offers a free Hobby plan, a Pro plan at $79/month, a Team plan at $799/month, and custom Enterprise pricing, with usage-based charges applying beyond included request limits.
SourceBigQuery 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.
SourceHelicone: Is there a free plan, and what are its limits?
The free Hobby plan includes 10,000 requests per month, 1 GB of storage, 1 seat, and 1 organization, aimed at kickstarting AI projects.
SourceHelicone: Are there discounts available?
Helicone offers 50% off the first year for qualifying startups, discounts for non-profits, a $100 annual credit for open-source projects, and free access for students.
SourceRelated pages
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