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Machine Learning · head to head

BigQuery ML vs IBM Cognos Analytics

BigQuery ML logo

BigQuery ML

Machine Learning

Machine learning in BigQuery using SQL

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
IBM Cognos Analytics logo

IBM Cognos Analytics

Business Intelligence

AI-powered business intelligence

From
$15/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only BigQuery ML has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: BigQuery ML not available in BigQuery's Standard edition, so the cheapest tier cannot use it; IBM Cognos Analytics listed on UK G-Cloud at £42.53 per user per month for IBM Cognos Analytics, via reseller Computacenter
  • They diverge on capability: BigQuery ML covers SQL-based ML, IBM Cognos Analytics covers AI Assistant.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which BigQuery ML and IBM Cognos Analytics actually diverge.

Attributes where BigQuery ML and IBM Cognos Analytics differ
AttributeBigQuery MLIBM Cognos Analytics
Starting priceFree$15/month
Pricing modelusage-basedsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWebWeb, Desktop, Mobile, Cloud
CategoryMachine LearningBusiness Intelligence
Founded20081911

Identical on both: 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 IBM Cognos Analytics

  • AI Assistant
  • Natural Language Queries
  • Automated Insights
  • Story Telling
  • Mobile Analytics
  • IBM Db2
  • Oracle
  • SQL Server

Both cover

  • 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 IBM Cognos Analytics
  • Linear and logistic regression on warehouse datanot IBM Cognos Analytics
  • K-means clustering and matrix factorisation for recommendationsnot IBM Cognos Analytics
  • Time series forecasting with ARIMA_PLUSnot IBM Cognos Analytics
  • Running imported ONNX, TensorFlow or XGBoost models against BigQuery datanot IBM Cognos Analytics

IBM Cognos Analytics

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

IBM Cognos Analytics

  • Listed on UK G-Cloud at £42.53 per user per month for IBM Cognos Analytics, via reseller Computacenter

Pricing, plan by plan

BigQuery ML

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

IBM Cognos Analytics

$15/month
  • Standard$15/month
    • Dashboards
    • Reporting
    • AI Insights
  • Plus$35/month
    • Advanced Analytics
    • Planning
    • Premium Support

Which should you pick?

Choose BigQuery ML if

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

Choose IBM Cognos Analytics if

  • You need ai assistant.
  • You work on Web, Desktop, Mobile, Cloud.
  • You also want natural language queries.
IBM Cognos Analytics review

Questions people ask

Is BigQuery ML or IBM Cognos Analytics better?
Neither clearly leads. BigQuery ML starts at Free and IBM Cognos Analytics at $15/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, BigQuery ML or IBM Cognos Analytics?
BigQuery ML has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for BigQuery ML and $15/month for IBM Cognos Analytics.
Does BigQuery ML or IBM Cognos Analytics run on more platforms?
BigQuery ML runs on Web. IBM Cognos Analytics runs on Web, Desktop, Mobile, Cloud.
Can I use BigQuery ML for free?
Yes. BigQuery ML has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. IBM Cognos Analytics starts at $15/month.
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 IBM Cognos Analytics is typically brought in for.
What can BigQuery ML do that IBM Cognos Analytics cannot?
BigQuery ML covers SQL-based ML, AutoML Tables, Model export, Prediction functions. IBM Cognos Analytics covers AI Assistant, Natural Language Queries, Automated Insights, Story Telling. Both handle 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
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
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