Software · head to head
BigQuery ML vs MATLAB
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; MATLAB a standard individual licence is $940 a year, and it is annual rather than perpetual
- They diverge on capability: BigQuery ML covers SQL-based ML, MATLAB covers Matrix computations.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which BigQuery ML and MATLAB actually diverge.
| Attribute | BigQuery ML | MATLAB |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | $99/month |
| Pricing model | usage-based | subscription |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Platforms | Web | Linux, Mac, Windows |
| Founded | 2008 | 1984 |
Identical on both: 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 BigQuery ML
- SQL-based ML
- AutoML Tables
- Model export
- Prediction functions
- Feature preprocessing
- BigQuery
- Vertex AI
- TensorFlow
Only in MATLAB
- Matrix computations
- Data visualization
- Machine learning
- Deep learning
- Signal processing
- Simulink
- Python
- C/C++
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 MATLAB
- Linear and logistic regression on warehouse datanot MATLAB
- K-means clustering and matrix factorisation for recommendationsnot MATLAB
- Time series forecasting with ARIMA_PLUSnot MATLAB
- Running imported ONNX, TensorFlow or XGBoost models against BigQuery datanot MATLAB
MATLAB
- Numerical computing, simulation and algorithm developmentnot BigQuery ML
- Engineering and scientific modelling with Simulinknot 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
MATLAB
- A standard individual licence is $940 a year, and it is annual rather than perpetual
- Add on toolboxes are bought separately through the web store rather than being included
- No price is displayed for the academic, student, home or startup licences, each of which requires a quote
- Eligibility rather than price separates most tiers, so a commercial user has one option
Pricing, plan by plan
BigQuery ML
Free- Free TierFree
- 10GB storage
- 1TB queries
- On-Demand$5/TB
- Pay per TB scanned
- ML training costs
MATLAB
$99/month- Home$149/perpetual
- Personal use
- Core MATLAB
- Standard$2350/perpetual
- Commercial use
- Full features
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 MATLAB if
- You need matrix computations.
- You work on Linux, Mac, Windows.
- You also want data visualization.
Questions people ask
- Is BigQuery ML or MATLAB better?
- Neither clearly leads. BigQuery ML starts at Free and MATLAB at $99/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, BigQuery ML or MATLAB?
- BigQuery ML has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for BigQuery ML and $99/month for MATLAB.
- Does BigQuery ML or MATLAB run on more platforms?
- BigQuery ML runs on Web. MATLAB runs on Linux, Mac, Windows.
- Can I use BigQuery ML for free?
- Yes. BigQuery ML has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. MATLAB starts at $99/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 MATLAB is typically brought in for.
- What can BigQuery ML do that MATLAB cannot?
- BigQuery ML covers SQL-based ML, AutoML Tables, Model export, Prediction functions. MATLAB covers Matrix computations, Data visualization, Machine learning, Deep learning.
Related pages
More on BigQuery ML
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