Software · head to head
BigQuery ML vs Minitab
The short version
- Each has a real cost: BigQuery ML not available in BigQuery's Standard edition, so the cheapest tier cannot use it; Minitab pricing is by quote only: the pricing page is an inquiry form and publishes no rate, no seat price and no minimum
- They diverge on capability: BigQuery ML covers SQL-based ML, Minitab covers Statistical analysis.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which BigQuery ML and Minitab actually diverge.
| Attribute | BigQuery ML | Minitab |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | usage-based | subscription |
| Platforms | Web | Mac, Windows, Web |
| Founded | 2008 | 1972 |
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 BigQuery ML
- SQL-based ML
- AutoML Tables
- Model export
- Prediction functions
- Feature preprocessing
- BigQuery
- Vertex AI
- TensorFlow
Only in Minitab
- Statistical analysis
- Quality tools
- Regression analysis
- Control charts
- Design of experiments
- Excel
- Python
- R
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 Minitab
- Linear and logistic regression on warehouse datanot Minitab
- K-means clustering and matrix factorisation for recommendationsnot Minitab
- Time series forecasting with ARIMA_PLUSnot Minitab
- Running imported ONNX, TensorFlow or XGBoost models against BigQuery datanot Minitab
Minitab
- Statistical analysis and hypothesis testing for quality engineeringnot BigQuery ML
- Six Sigma and process improvement studies with control chartsnot BigQuery ML
- Design of experiments and capability analysisnot 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
Minitab
- Pricing is by quote only: the pricing page is an inquiry form and publishes no rate, no seat price and no minimum
- Obtaining a price requires submitting contact details and waiting for a sales representative
Pricing, plan by plan
BigQuery ML
Free- Free TierFree
- 10GB storage
- 1TB queries
- On-Demand$5/TB
- Pay per TB scanned
- ML training costs
Minitab
Free- TrialFree
- 7-day trial
- Full features
- Single User$29/month
- Full Minitab
- All 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 Minitab if
- You need statistical analysis.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Mac, Windows, Web.
- You also want quality tools.
Questions people ask
- Is BigQuery ML or Minitab better?
- Neither clearly leads. BigQuery ML starts at Free and Minitab at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, BigQuery ML or Minitab?
- BigQuery ML starts at Free and Minitab at Free.
- Does BigQuery ML or Minitab run on more platforms?
- BigQuery ML runs on Web. Minitab runs on Mac, Windows, Web.
- 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 Minitab is typically brought in for.
- What can BigQuery ML do that Minitab cannot?
- BigQuery ML covers SQL-based ML, AutoML Tables, Model export, Prediction functions. Minitab covers Statistical analysis, Quality tools, Regression analysis, Control charts. Both handle Web support.
Related pages
More on BigQuery ML
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