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Machine Learning & Data Science · head to head

Databricks vs Labster

Databricks logo

Databricks

Machine Learning & Data Science

Unified analytics platform for data engineering and data science

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Labster logo

Labster

Education & E-Learning

Virtual science labs for immersive learning

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Databricks has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Databricks cloud compute is billed separately by the cloud provider on top of Databricks DBU charges; Labster customization is limited and labs cannot be easily adapted to specific course learning outcomes
  • They diverge on capability: Databricks covers Delta Lake, Labster covers Virtual simulations.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Databricks and Labster actually diverge.

Attributes where Databricks and Labster differ
AttributeDatabricksLabster
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelusage-basedsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, Aws, Azure, GcpWeb
CategoryMachine Learning & Data ScienceEducation & E-Learning
Founded20132011

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 Databricks

  • Delta Lake
  • Apache Spark
  • MLflow
  • Unity Catalog
  • Photon Engine
  • Collaborative Notebooks
  • Auto-scaling
  • AWS

Only in Labster

  • Virtual simulations
  • 3D environments
  • Theory pages
  • Quizzes
  • Lab reports
  • Progress tracking
  • Mobile access
  • Multiplayer

Both cover

  • Web support

What people use each for

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

Databricks

  • Running Spark data engineering pipelines on managed clustersnot Labster
  • Building a lakehouse over data in cloud object storagenot Labster
  • Training and serving machine learning models alongside the datanot Labster

Labster

  • Virtual labsnot Databricks
  • Pre-lab preparationnot Databricks
  • Supplemental learningnot Databricks
  • Remote educationnot Databricks

Where each one falls short

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

Databricks

  • Cloud compute is billed separately by the cloud provider on top of Databricks DBU charges
  • The free trial lasts 14 days
  • Discounts require a Committed Use Contract, with larger commitments needed for larger discounts
  • Azure Databricks pricing is set by Microsoft rather than by Databricks
  • Security and compliance capabilities are sold as separate platform add ons rather than included in the base rate

Labster

  • Customization is limited and labs cannot be easily adapted to specific course learning outcomes
  • Simulations can lag or freeze depending on operating system and connection speed
  • Cannot fully replace hands-on physical lab experience and data collection
  • Students report preference for tactile physical lab experience over virtual simulations

Pricing, plan by plan

Databricks

Free
  • Community EditionFree
    • Limited cluster
    • Notebook environment
    • Community support
  • Standard$0.07/DBU
    • Jobs compute
    • SQL compute
    • Standard support

Labster

On request
  • Student Access$49/month
    • Course simulations
    • Mobile access
    • Progress tracking
  • Institution$undefined/month
    • All simulations
    • LMS integration
    • Analytics
  • Enterprise$undefined/month
    • Custom content
    • API access
    • Priority support

Which should you pick?

Choose Databricks if

  • You need delta lake.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Aws, Azure, Gcp.
  • You also want apache spark.
Databricks review

Choose Labster if

  • You need virtual simulations.
  • You also want 3d environments.
Labster review

Questions people ask

Is Databricks or Labster better?
Neither clearly leads. Databricks starts at Free and Labster at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Databricks or Labster?
Databricks has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Databricks and On request for Labster.
Does Databricks or Labster run on more platforms?
Databricks runs on Web, Aws, Azure, Gcp. Labster runs on Web.
Can I use Databricks for free?
Yes. Databricks has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Labster starts at On request.
What is Databricks best used for?
Databricks is most often used for running spark data engineering pipelines on managed clusters, building a lakehouse over data in cloud object storage, training and serving machine learning models alongside the data. Of those, running spark data engineering pipelines on managed clusters and building a lakehouse over data in cloud object storage are not what Labster is typically brought in for.
What can Databricks do that Labster cannot?
Databricks covers Delta Lake, Apache Spark, MLflow, Unity Catalog. Labster covers Virtual simulations, 3D environments, Theory pages, Quizzes. Both handle Web support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Labster: What STEM subjects does Labster cover?

Labster provides interactive 3D simulations across biology, chemistry, physics, and other STEM subjects, designed for university, college, and high school students.

Labster: How many students has Labster served?

Labster has served over 6 million students and thousands of institutions globally with its virtual lab simulations.

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