Machine Learning · head to head
BigQuery ML vs Qlik Sense
Qlik Sense
Business Intelligence
Self-service data analytics and visualization
- 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; Qlik Sense expensive pricing structure, particularly for enterprise users and large data volumes
- They diverge on capability: BigQuery ML covers SQL-based ML, Qlik Sense covers Associative Engine.
- Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which BigQuery ML and Qlik Sense actually diverge.
| Attribute | BigQuery ML | Qlik Sense |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | usage-based | Unknown |
| Platforms | Web | Web (Cloud), Desktop (Windows), Mobile (iOS/Android) |
| Category | Machine Learning | Business Intelligence |
| Founded | 2008 | 1993 |
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 Qlik Sense
- Associative Engine
- AI Insights
- Augmented Analytics
- Natural Language
- Alerting
- SAP
- Salesforce
- ServiceNow
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 Qlik Sense
- Linear and logistic regression on warehouse datanot Qlik Sense
- K-means clustering and matrix factorisation for recommendationsnot Qlik Sense
- Time series forecasting with ARIMA_PLUSnot Qlik Sense
- Running imported ONNX, TensorFlow or XGBoost models against BigQuery datanot Qlik Sense
Qlik Sense
- 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
Qlik Sense
- Expensive pricing structure, particularly for enterprise users and large data volumes
- Performance degradation when working with very large datasets
- Limited field capacity and strict 10 GB data limit on Starter plan ($300/month)
- Weak date handling in set analysis compared to other BI tools
- Poor API usability, particularly for Python scripts and integration workflows
Pricing, plan by plan
BigQuery ML
Free- Free TierFree
- 10GB storage
- 1TB queries
- On-Demand$5/TB
- Pay per TB scanned
- ML training costs
Qlik Sense
Free- Qlik Sense Business (Desktop)Free
- Personal dashboards
- No content sharing
- Desktop only
- Starter$300/month
- 10 users
- 10 GB data for analysis
- Cloud-based
- Standard$825/month
- Unlimited users
- 25 GB data for analysis
- Advanced analytics
- Premium$2750/month
- Unlimited users
- 50 GB data for analysis
- Enhanced 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.
Choose Qlik Sense if
- You need associative engine.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web (Cloud), Desktop (Windows), Mobile (iOS/Android).
- You also want ai insights.
Questions people ask
- Is BigQuery ML or Qlik Sense better?
- Neither clearly leads. BigQuery ML starts at Free and Qlik Sense at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, BigQuery ML or Qlik Sense?
- BigQuery ML starts at Free and Qlik Sense at Free.
- Does BigQuery ML or Qlik Sense run on more platforms?
- BigQuery ML runs on Web. Qlik Sense runs on Web (Cloud), Desktop (Windows), Mobile (iOS/Android).
- 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 Qlik Sense is typically brought in for.
- What can BigQuery ML do that Qlik Sense cannot?
- BigQuery ML covers SQL-based ML, AutoML Tables, Model export, Prediction functions. Qlik Sense covers Associative Engine, AI Insights, Augmented Analytics, Natural Language. 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.
SourceQlik Sense: Does Qlik Sense have a free tier?
Qlik Sense Business (Desktop) is permanently free for individual users for creating personal dashboards, though content cannot be shared. Qlik Cloud Analytics offers a 30-day free trial with full features.
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.
SourceQlik Sense: What is the entry price for Qlik Cloud Analytics?
Qlik Cloud Analytics Starter plan starts at $300 per month (annual billing) for 10 users and 10 GB of data. Standard is $825/month for 25 GB with unlimited users. Premium is $2,750/month for 50 GB.
SourceQlik Sense: How many users can access Qlik Sense?
The Starter plan is limited to 10 users. Standard, Premium, and Enterprise plans include unlimited users and charge based on data capacity (gigabytes) rather than seat count.
SourceQlik Sense: What is the Associative Engine in Qlik Sense?
The Associative Engine is Qlik's proprietary technology that automatically discovers and explores all possible relationships between data points, enabling intuitive analysis compared to traditional query-based BI tools.
SourceQlik Sense: Does Qlik Sense support self-service analytics?
Yes, Qlik Sense is designed for self-service business intelligence, allowing business users to create dashboards and explore data without extensive technical knowledge, though complex implementations require expertise.
SourceQlik Sense: Is Qlik Sense available on-premises?
Yes, Qlik offers both cloud-based (Qlik Cloud Analytics) and on-premises deployment options, though on-premises licensing requires a separate quote.
SourceRelated pages
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- Qlik Sense vs Zoho Analytics
- Qlik Sense vs Holistics
- Qlik Sense vs IBM Cognos Analytics
- Qlik Sense vs Domo
- Qlik Sense vs Oracle Analytics Cloud
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- Qlik Sense vs Hebbia
- Qlik Sense vs Jedox
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