Softwr

Machine Learning & Data Science · head to head

Minitab vs Apache Spark MLlib

Minitab logo

Minitab

Machine Learning & Data Science

Statistical software for quality improvement

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Apache Spark MLlib logo

Apache Spark MLlib

Machine Learning & Data Science

Scalable machine learning on Apache Spark

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

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; 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: Minitab covers Statistical analysis, Apache Spark MLlib covers Classification.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Minitab and Apache Spark MLlib differ
AttributeMinitabApache Spark MLlib
Pricing modelsubscriptionopen-source
PlatformsMac, Windows, WebLinux, macOS, Windows
Founded19721999

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 Apache Spark MLlib

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

Both cover

  • Mac support
  • Windows 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 Apache Spark MLlib
  • Six Sigma and process improvement studies with control chartsnot Apache Spark MLlib
  • Design of experiments and capability analysisnot Apache Spark MLlib

Apache Spark MLlib

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

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

Minitab

Free
  • TrialFree
    • 7-day trial
    • Full features
  • Single User$29/month
    • Full Minitab
    • All features

Apache Spark MLlib

Free

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

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.
Minitab 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 Minitab or Apache Spark MLlib better?
Neither clearly leads. Minitab starts at Free and Apache Spark MLlib at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Minitab or Apache Spark MLlib?
Minitab starts at Free and Apache Spark MLlib at Free.
Does Minitab or Apache Spark MLlib run on more platforms?
Minitab runs on Mac, Windows, Web. Apache Spark MLlib runs on Linux, macOS, Windows.
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 Apache Spark MLlib is typically brought in for.
What can Minitab do that Apache Spark MLlib cannot?
Minitab covers Statistical analysis, Quality tools, Regression analysis, Control charts. Apache Spark MLlib covers Classification, Regression, Clustering, Collaborative filtering. Both handle Mac support, Windows support.
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on Minitab

More on Apache Spark MLlib

Keep looking

Other head to heads