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Databases · head to head

Cockroach Labs vs DataRobot

Cockroach Labs logo

Cockroach Labs

Databases

The cloud-native distributed SQL database

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
DataRobot logo

DataRobot

Machine Learning

Enterprise AI platform for automated machine learning

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Cockroach Labs has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Cockroach Labs basic and Standard tiers limited to AWS and GCP (select regions only); DataRobot model transparency is limited, often resembling a black box with limited explainability
  • They diverge on capability: Cockroach Labs covers Distributed SQL, DataRobot covers Automated ML.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Cockroach Labs and DataRobot actually diverge.

Attributes where Cockroach Labs and DataRobot differ
AttributeCockroach LabsDataRobot
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelfreemiumsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsAWS, GCP, AzureWeb
CategoryDatabasesMachine Learning
Founded20152012

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 Cockroach Labs

  • Distributed SQL
  • Automatic Sharding
  • Multi-region Replication
  • Geo-partitioning
  • ACID Transactions
  • Horizontal Scaling
  • Survivability
  • PostgreSQL Compatibility

Only in DataRobot

  • Automated ML
  • Model deployment
  • Time series
  • MLOps
  • Model monitoring
  • Snowflake
  • Databricks
  • AWS

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Cockroach Labs

  • Distributed SQL database for scalable applicationsnot DataRobot
  • Multi-region deployment and failovernot DataRobot

DataRobot

  • Machine learningnot Cockroach Labs
  • Data analysisnot Cockroach Labs
  • Model trainingnot Cockroach Labs
  • Predictive analyticsnot Cockroach Labs

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Cockroach Labs

  • Basic and Standard tiers limited to AWS and GCP (select regions only)
  • Azure support restricted to Advanced tier only
  • Basic tier limited to 50 million RUs and 10 GiB storage per month
  • Advanced tier starts at $0.60/hour for 4 vCPUs minimum
  • 3 TiB maximum storage on Basic and Standard tiers, 10 TiB per node on Advanced

DataRobot

  • Model transparency is limited, often resembling a black box with limited explainability
  • Requires integration with separate data manipulation tools for complex data transformation
  • Lacks native Python and R code customization for proprietary algorithms
  • Dependence on cloud connectivity means offline capabilities are not available
  • Uploading sensitive data to third-party servers raises data privacy and security concerns

Pricing, plan by plan

Cockroach Labs

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Cockroach Labs review.

DataRobot

On request
  • TrialFree
    • Limited access
    • Basic features
  • EnterpriseFree
    • Full platform
    • AutoML
    • MLOps

Which should you pick?

Choose Cockroach Labs if

  • You need distributed sql.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on AWS, GCP, Azure.
  • You also want automatic sharding.
Cockroach Labs review

Choose DataRobot if

  • You need automated ml.
  • You also want model deployment.
DataRobot review

Questions people ask

Is Cockroach Labs or DataRobot better?
Neither clearly leads. Cockroach Labs starts at Free and DataRobot at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Cockroach Labs or DataRobot?
Cockroach Labs has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Cockroach Labs and On request for DataRobot.
Does Cockroach Labs or DataRobot run on more platforms?
Cockroach Labs runs on AWS, GCP, Azure. DataRobot runs on Web.
Can I use Cockroach Labs for free?
Yes. Cockroach Labs has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. DataRobot starts at On request.
What is Cockroach Labs best used for?
Cockroach Labs is most often used for distributed sql database for scalable applications, multi-region deployment and failover. Of those, distributed sql database for scalable applications and multi-region deployment and failover are not what DataRobot is typically brought in for.
What can Cockroach Labs do that DataRobot cannot?
Cockroach Labs covers Distributed SQL, Automatic Sharding, Multi-region Replication, Geo-partitioning. DataRobot covers Automated ML, Model deployment, Time series, MLOps.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Cockroach Labs: What does the free Basic tier include?

The Basic tier is free and includes 50 million RUs and 10 GiB storage per month, with a maximum compute of 30K RU/sec. No credit card is required to start.

Source
DataRobot: Does DataRobot require data science expertise?

DataRobot automates much of the ML pipeline including data preparation, feature engineering, and model selection, making it more accessible to non-experts, though it is still an enterprise platform.

Source
Cockroach Labs: How much do the paid tiers cost?

Standard tier starts at $0.18 per hour for 2 vCPUs, and Advanced tier starts at $0.60 per hour for 4 vCPUs. Both tiers support additional resources with higher costs for increased compute and storage.

Source
DataRobot: What does DataRobot cost?

DataRobot uses custom enterprise pricing with typical starting costs around $2,500 per month for smaller organizations. For 10 users, monthly costs range from $15,000 to $20,000. Implementation and professional services are 20-40% of first-year contract value.

Source
Cockroach Labs: What are the storage limits for each tier?

Basic plan supports up to 3 TiB storage, Standard tier up to 3 TiB, and Advanced tier up to 10 TiB per node with unlimited total storage.

Source
DataRobot: Does DataRobot support generative AI?

Yes, DataRobot offers generative AI capabilities with API-first integrations for LLMs, vector databases, and embedding models.

Source
Cockroach Labs: Can I get trial credits before paying?

Yes, new users can try CockroachDB free with $400 in credits. The Basic and Standard plans do not require a credit card to start.

Source
DataRobot: Can DataRobot handle unstructured data?

Yes, DataRobot supports machine learning on both structured and unstructured data, including deep learning, NLP, and image analysis.

Source
Cockroach Labs: Do legacy contracts have different pricing?

Customers with annual or multi-year contracts entered before December 1, 2024 can view legacy pricing terms on a separate page, which apply until their contract renewal date.

Source
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