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Machine Learning · head to head

KNIME vs MATLAB

KNIME logo

KNIME

Machine Learning

Open source data analytics and integration platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
MATLAB logo

MATLAB

Machine Learning

Programming and numeric computing platform

From
$940/year
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only KNIME has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: KNIME the free Analytics Platform runs locally only, so anything shared or scheduled requires a paid Hub; MATLAB a standard individual licence is $940 a year, and it is annual rather than perpetual
  • They diverge on capability: KNIME covers Visual workflows, MATLAB covers Matrix computations.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which KNIME and MATLAB actually diverge.

Attributes where KNIME and MATLAB differ
AttributeKNIMEMATLAB
Starting priceFree$940/year
Pricing modelfreemiumsubscription
Free tierYesNo
Founded20041984

Identical on both: platforms (Linux, Mac, Windows), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Machine Learning).

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 KNIME

  • Visual workflows
  • Data preprocessing
  • Visualization
  • Reporting
  • R
  • Spark
  • H2O
  • TensorFlow

Only in MATLAB

  • Matrix computations
  • Data visualization
  • Deep learning
  • Signal processing
  • Simulink
  • C/C++
  • Java
  • Excel

Both cover

  • Machine learning
  • Python
  • Linux support
  • Mac support
  • Windows support

What people use each for

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

KNIME

  • Data science and machine learning workflowsnot MATLAB
  • ETL and data pipeline automationnot MATLAB
  • Predictive analytics and modelingnot MATLAB

MATLAB

  • Numerical computing and analysisnot KNIME
  • Algorithm developmentnot KNIME
  • Academic research and teachingnot KNIME

Where each one falls short

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

KNIME

  • The free Analytics Platform runs locally only, so anything shared or scheduled requires a paid Hub
  • The free AI assistant is limited to 20 interactions a month
  • Paid workflow runtime is metered in credits, with 120 included on Pro and overage at $0.025 per vCore minute
  • The Team plan at $99 a month includes 3 members, with additional seats at $49 a month each
  • Business Hub pricing is on request, and its tiers are capped at 4, 8 and 16 vCores with 5, 5 and 20 users

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

KNIME

Free
  • Analytics PlatformFree
    • 300+ data sources
    • Unlimited local processing
    • K-AI assistant (20 interactions/month)
  • Pro$19/month
    • 120 workflow runtime credits
    • Data app deployment
    • K-AI (500 interactions/month)
  • Team$99/month
    • All Pro features
    • Collaboration spaces for up to 3 team members
    • Additional members: $49/month each
  • Business Hub$null/month
    • Enterprise automation and governance
    • LDAP/OAuth authentication
    • Staged deployment

MATLAB

$940/year
  • Individual Standard$940/year
    • MATLAB
    • Simulink
    • Online Training Suite
  • Startups$null/year
    • MATLAB
    • Simulink
    • 90+ add-on products
  • Academic$null/year
    • MATLAB
    • Simulink
  • Student$null/year
    • MATLAB

Which should you pick?

Choose KNIME if

  • You need visual workflows.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, Mac, Windows.
  • You also want data preprocessing.
KNIME review

Choose MATLAB if

  • You need matrix computations.
  • You work on Linux, Mac, Windows.
  • You also want data visualization.
MATLAB review

Questions people ask

Is KNIME or MATLAB better?
Neither clearly leads. KNIME starts at Free and MATLAB at $940/year, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, KNIME or MATLAB?
KNIME has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for KNIME and $940/year for MATLAB.
Does KNIME or MATLAB run on more platforms?
Both run on Linux, Mac, Windows, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
Can I use KNIME for free?
Yes. KNIME has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. MATLAB starts at $940/year.
What is KNIME best used for?
KNIME is most often used for data science and machine learning workflows, etl and data pipeline automation, predictive analytics and modeling. Of those, data science and machine learning workflows and etl and data pipeline automation are not what MATLAB is typically brought in for.
What can KNIME do that MATLAB cannot?
KNIME covers Visual workflows, Data preprocessing, Visualization, Reporting. MATLAB covers Matrix computations, Data visualization, Deep learning, Signal processing. Both handle Machine learning, Python, Linux support, Mac support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

KNIME: Is KNIME free?

Yes, KNIME Analytics Platform is free with 300+ data sources, unlimited local processing, and 20 K-AI assistant interactions per month.

Source
MATLAB: What is the cost of an individual MATLAB license?

USD 940 per year for Standard individual license, which includes MATLAB, Simulink, Online Training Suite, and add-on products. All licenses include MathWorks Software Maintenance Service.

Source
KNIME: What do KNIME paid plans cost?

Pro plan starts at $19/month with 120 runtime credits. Team plan starts at $99/month for up to 3 members, with additional members at $49/month each.

Source
MATLAB: Are pricing quotes available online for academic and startup licenses?

No, online pricing is not available for Academic, Student, Startup, or Home license types. Downloadable price lists are available only for Standard and Academic individual licenses. Contact sales for other tiers.

Source
KNIME: What is KNIME's runtime credit system?

Pro and Team plans include runtime credits for workflow execution. Additional runtime beyond included credits costs $0.025 per vCore minute.

Source
MATLAB: Can I switch between license terms (annual vs perpetual)?

Both Standard and Home licenses offer annual and perpetual licensing options. Academic licenses also offer both terms. Startup licenses are available on annual basis only.

Source
KNIME: Does KNIME offer enterprise pricing?

Yes, Business Hub is available for enterprises needing automation, governance, LDAP/OAuth auth, and dedicated resources. Pricing available on request.

Source
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