Machine Learning & Data Science · head to head
MATLAB vs Azure Machine Learning
MATLAB
Machine Learning & Data Science
Programming and numeric computing platform
- From
- $99/month
- Rated
- -
Azure Machine Learning
Machine Learning & Data Science
Enterprise-grade machine learning service
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only Azure Machine Learning 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; Azure Machine Learning requires knowledge of Azure ecosystem and integration with other Azure services
- They diverge on capability: MATLAB covers Matrix computations, Azure Machine Learning covers Automated ML.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which MATLAB and Azure Machine Learning actually diverge.
| Attribute | MATLAB | Azure Machine Learning |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $99/month | Free |
| Pricing model | subscription | usage-based |
| Free tier | No | Yes |
| Platforms | Linux, Mac, Windows | Azure Cloud |
| Founded | 1984 | 1975 |
Identical on both: 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
- Python
- C/C++
Only in Azure Machine Learning
- Automated ML
- Designer (drag-and-drop)
- Notebooks
- MLOps
- Model registry
- Azure Blob Storage
- Azure DevOps
- Power BI
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
MATLAB
- Numerical computing, simulation and algorithm developmentnot Azure Machine Learning
- Engineering and scientific modelling with Simulinknot Azure Machine Learning
Azure Machine Learning
- Machine learningnot MATLAB
- Data analysisnot MATLAB
- Model trainingnot MATLAB
- Predictive analyticsnot 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
Azure Machine Learning
- Requires knowledge of Azure ecosystem and integration with other Azure services
- Compute resources for training and inference generate separate charges
Pricing, plan by plan
MATLAB
$99/month- Home$149/perpetual
- Personal use
- Core MATLAB
- Standard$2350/perpetual
- Commercial use
- Full features
Azure Machine Learning
Free- Free TierFree
- Limited compute
- Basic features
- Pay-as-you-go$0.05/hour
- Full platform
- All compute options
- Enterprise features
Which should you pick?
Choose MATLAB if
- You need matrix computations.
- You work on Linux, Mac, Windows.
- You also want data visualization.
Choose Azure Machine Learning if
- You need automated ml.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Azure Cloud.
- You also want designer (drag-and-drop).
Questions people ask
- Is MATLAB or Azure Machine Learning better?
- Neither clearly leads. MATLAB starts at $99/month and Azure Machine Learning at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, MATLAB or Azure Machine Learning?
- Azure Machine Learning has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $99/month for MATLAB and Free for Azure Machine Learning.
- Does MATLAB or Azure Machine Learning run on more platforms?
- MATLAB runs on Linux, Mac, Windows. Azure Machine Learning runs on Azure Cloud.
- Can I use Azure Machine Learning for free?
- Yes. Azure Machine Learning 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 Azure Machine Learning is typically brought in for.
- What can MATLAB do that Azure Machine Learning cannot?
- MATLAB covers Matrix computations, Data visualization, Machine learning, Deep learning. Azure Machine Learning covers Automated ML, Designer (drag-and-drop), Notebooks, MLOps.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Azure Machine Learning: Does Azure Machine Learning have any platform licensing fees?
No, Azure Machine Learning carries no extra cost. You only pay for the underlying compute resources utilized during model training or inference.
SourceAzure Machine Learning: What AutoML capabilities does Azure Machine Learning provide?
Azure Machine Learning supports automated model creation for classification, regression, vision, and natural language processing tasks.
SourceAzure Machine Learning: Does Azure ML support language model fine-tuning?
Yes, Azure Machine Learning supports fine-tuning of foundation models from providers including OpenAI, Meta, Hugging Face, and Cohere.
SourceAzure Machine Learning: What MLOps features are included?
Azure ML includes end-to-end pipeline automation with CI/CD capabilities, managed endpoints for model deployment, and monitoring tools.
SourceAzure Machine Learning: Can I access foundation models from multiple vendors?
Yes, Azure Machine Learning provides access to a model catalog with foundation models from Microsoft, OpenAI, Hugging Face, Meta, and Cohere.
Source