Machine Learning & Data Science · head to head
Minitab vs BigQuery ML
Minitab
Machine Learning & Data Science
Statistical software for quality improvement
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
BigQuery ML
Machine Learning & Data Science
Machine learning in BigQuery using SQL
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Minitab pricing is by quote only: the pricing page is an inquiry form and publishes no rate, no seat price and no minimum; BigQuery ML not available in BigQuery's Standard edition, so the cheapest tier cannot use it
- They diverge on capability: Minitab covers Statistical analysis, BigQuery ML covers SQL-based ML.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Minitab and BigQuery ML actually diverge.
| Attribute | Minitab | BigQuery ML |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | subscription | usage-based |
| Platforms | Mac, Windows, Web | Web |
| Founded | 1972 | 2008 |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), 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 Minitab
- Statistical analysis
- Quality tools
- Regression analysis
- Control charts
- Design of experiments
- Excel
- Python
- R
Only in BigQuery ML
- SQL-based ML
- AutoML Tables
- Model export
- Prediction functions
- Feature preprocessing
- BigQuery
- Vertex AI
- TensorFlow
Both cover
- Web support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Minitab
- Statistical analysis and hypothesis testing for quality engineeringnot BigQuery ML
- Six Sigma and process improvement studies with control chartsnot BigQuery ML
- Design of experiments and capability analysisnot BigQuery ML
BigQuery ML
- Training models in SQL without exporting datanot Minitab
- Linear and logistic regression on warehouse datanot Minitab
- K-means clustering and matrix factorisation for recommendationsnot Minitab
- Time series forecasting with ARIMA_PLUSnot Minitab
- Running imported ONNX, TensorFlow or XGBoost models against BigQuery datanot Minitab
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Minitab
- Pricing is by quote only: the pricing page is an inquiry form and publishes no rate, no seat price and no minimum
- Obtaining a price requires submitting contact details and waiting for a sales representative
BigQuery ML
- Not available in BigQuery's Standard edition, so the cheapest tier cannot use it
- Billed through BigQuery compute and storage rather than as its own product, so training cost tracks data scanned
- Remote models incur extra Agent Platform charges on top
- Externally trained model types such as boosted trees and AutoML run through Agent Platform rather than inside BigQuery
Pricing, plan by plan
Minitab
Free- TrialFree
- 7-day trial
- Full features
- Single User$29/month
- Full Minitab
- All features
BigQuery ML
Free- Free TierFree
- 10GB storage
- 1TB queries
- On-Demand$5/TB
- Pay per TB scanned
- ML training costs
Which should you pick?
Choose Minitab if
- You need statistical analysis.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Mac, Windows, Web.
- You also want quality tools.
Choose BigQuery ML if
- You need sql-based ml.
- You want to start without paying.
- You also want automl tables.
Questions people ask
- Is Minitab or BigQuery ML better?
- Neither clearly leads. Minitab starts at Free and BigQuery ML at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Minitab or BigQuery ML?
- Minitab starts at Free and BigQuery ML at Free.
- Does Minitab or BigQuery ML run on more platforms?
- Minitab runs on Mac, Windows, Web. BigQuery ML runs on Web.
- Can I use Minitab for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Minitab best used for?
- Minitab is most often used for statistical analysis and hypothesis testing for quality engineering, six sigma and process improvement studies with control charts, design of experiments and capability analysis. Of those, statistical analysis and hypothesis testing for quality engineering and six sigma and process improvement studies with control charts are not what BigQuery ML is typically brought in for.
- What can Minitab do that BigQuery ML cannot?
- Minitab covers Statistical analysis, Quality tools, Regression analysis, Control charts. BigQuery ML covers SQL-based ML, AutoML Tables, Model export, Prediction functions. Both handle Web support.