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MATLAB vs Apache Spark MLlib

MATLAB logo

MATLAB

Software

Programming and numeric computing platform

From
$99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Apache Spark MLlib logo

Apache Spark MLlib

Software

Scalable machine learning on Apache Spark

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Apache Spark MLlib 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; Apache Spark MLlib apache Spark MLlib is Apache 2.0 licensed and free with no paid tier from the Apache project itself; SLA-backed support has to be sourced from a third party such as a managed Spark vendor rather than from Apache.
  • They diverge on capability: MATLAB covers Matrix computations, Apache Spark MLlib covers Classification.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which MATLAB and Apache Spark MLlib actually diverge.

Attributes where MATLAB and Apache Spark MLlib differ
AttributeMATLABApache Spark MLlib
Starting price$99/monthFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionopen-source
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsLinux, Mac, WindowsLinux, macOS, Windows
Founded19841999

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

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 Apache Spark MLlib

  • Classification
  • Regression
  • Clustering
  • Collaborative filtering
  • Feature engineering
  • Apache Spark
  • Hadoop
  • Kafka

Both cover

  • Linux support
  • Mac support
  • 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 Apache Spark MLlib
  • Engineering and scientific modelling with Simulinknot Apache Spark MLlib

Apache Spark MLlib

  • Large-scale distributed machine learning on Spark clustersnot MATLAB
  • Classification and regression with decision trees, random forests, gradient-boosted treesnot MATLAB
  • Clustering with K-means and Gaussian Mixture Modelsnot 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

Apache Spark MLlib

  • Apache Spark MLlib is Apache 2.0 licensed and free with no paid tier from the Apache project itself; SLA-backed support has to be sourced from a third party such as a managed Spark vendor rather than from Apache.

Pricing, plan by plan

MATLAB

$99/month
  • Home$149/perpetual
    • Personal use
    • Core MATLAB
  • Standard$2350/perpetual
    • Commercial use
    • Full features

Apache Spark MLlib

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Apache Spark MLlib review.

Which should you pick?

Choose MATLAB if

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

Choose Apache Spark MLlib if

  • You need classification.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, macOS, Windows.
  • You also want regression.
Apache Spark MLlib review

Questions people ask

Is MATLAB or Apache Spark MLlib better?
Neither clearly leads. MATLAB starts at $99/month and Apache Spark MLlib at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, MATLAB or Apache Spark MLlib?
Apache Spark MLlib has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $99/month for MATLAB and Free for Apache Spark MLlib.
Does MATLAB or Apache Spark MLlib run on more platforms?
MATLAB runs on Linux, Mac, Windows. Apache Spark MLlib runs on Linux, macOS, Windows.
Can I use Apache Spark MLlib for free?
Yes. Apache Spark MLlib 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 Apache Spark MLlib is typically brought in for.
What can MATLAB do that Apache Spark MLlib cannot?
MATLAB covers Matrix computations, Data visualization, Machine learning, Deep learning. Apache Spark MLlib covers Classification, Regression, Clustering, Collaborative filtering. Both handle Linux support, Mac support, Windows support.
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