Machine Learning & Data Science · head to head
MATLAB vs Alteryx
MATLAB
Machine Learning & Data Science
Programming and numeric computing platform
- From
- $99/month
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only Alteryx has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: MATLAB a standard individual licence is $940 a year, and it is annual rather than perpetual; Alteryx starter is $250 per user per month billed annually, and the Professional and Enterprise editions are quote-only
- They diverge on capability: MATLAB covers Matrix computations, Alteryx covers Data preparation.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which MATLAB and Alteryx actually diverge.
Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Machine Learning & Data Science).
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 MATLAB
- Matrix computations
- Data visualization
- Machine learning
- Deep learning
- Signal processing
- Simulink
- C/C++
- Java
Only in Alteryx
- Data preparation
- Data blending
- Predictive analytics
- Spatial analytics
- Reporting
- R
- Snowflake
- AWS
Both cover
- Python
- Windows support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
MATLAB
- Numerical computing, simulation and algorithm developmentnot Alteryx
- Engineering and scientific modelling with Simulinknot Alteryx
Alteryx
- Data preparation and building AI-ready datasetsnot MATLAB
- Predictive analytics without writing codenot MATLAB
- Automating and orchestrating repeatable analytics workflowsnot MATLAB
- Enterprise reporting with governed, reusable logicnot MATLAB
- Connecting to Snowflake, Databricks and cloud warehouses alongside on-premises systemsnot MATLAB
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
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
Alteryx
- Starter is $250 per user per month billed annually, and the Professional and Enterprise editions are quote-only
- Automation runs are metered, with 50 included on Starter and 15,000 on Professional, and more must be bought
- Cost depends on three separate dimensions at once: edition, user role and automation capacity
- Advanced analytics, governance and orchestration are withheld from the entry edition
Pricing, plan by plan
MATLAB
$99/month- Home$149/perpetual
- Personal use
- Core MATLAB
- Standard$2350/perpetual
- Commercial use
- Full features
Alteryx
Free- TrialFree
- 14-day trial
- Full features
- Designer Desktop$5195/year
- Data prep
- Blending
- Analytics
Which should you pick?
Choose MATLAB if
- You need matrix computations.
- You work on Linux, Mac, Windows.
- You also want data visualization.
Choose Alteryx if
- You need data preparation.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows, Web.
- You also want data blending.
Questions people ask
- Is MATLAB or Alteryx better?
- Neither clearly leads. MATLAB starts at $99/month and Alteryx at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, MATLAB or Alteryx?
- Alteryx has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $99/month for MATLAB and Free for Alteryx.
- Does MATLAB or Alteryx run on more platforms?
- MATLAB runs on Linux, Mac, Windows. Alteryx runs on Windows, Web.
- Can I use Alteryx for free?
- Yes. Alteryx has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. MATLAB starts at $99/month.
- What is MATLAB best used for?
- MATLAB is most often used for numerical computing, simulation and algorithm development, engineering and scientific modelling with simulink. Of those, numerical computing, simulation and algorithm development and engineering and scientific modelling with simulink are not what Alteryx is typically brought in for.
- What can MATLAB do that Alteryx cannot?
- MATLAB covers Matrix computations, Data visualization, Machine learning, Deep learning. Alteryx covers Data preparation, Data blending, Predictive analytics, Spatial analytics. Both handle Python, Windows support.