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Apache Spark MLlib vs Tableau

Apache Spark MLlib logo

Apache Spark MLlib

Software

Scalable machine learning on Apache Spark

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Tableau logo

Tableau

Software

Visual analytics platform for business intelligence

From
$70/month
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: 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.; Tableau listed on UK G-Cloud at £9.47 per device per month for the Salesforce Tableau Platform edition, via reseller XMA Limited
  • They diverge on capability: Apache Spark MLlib covers Classification, Tableau covers Interactive Dashboards.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Apache Spark MLlib and Tableau differ
AttributeApache Spark MLlibTableau
Starting priceFree$70/month
Pricing modelopen-sourcesubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsLinux, macOS, WindowsWeb, Desktop, Mobile

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown), founded (1999).

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 Apache Spark MLlib

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

Only in Tableau

  • Interactive Dashboards
  • Data Blending
  • Real-time Analytics
  • Advanced Visualizations
  • Mobile Support
  • Salesforce
  • SAP
  • Oracle

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Apache Spark MLlib

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

Tableau

  • Self-service analyticsnot Apache Spark MLlib
  • Data explorationnot Apache Spark MLlib
  • Ad-hoc reportingnot Apache Spark MLlib
  • Collaborative analysisnot Apache Spark MLlib
  • Embedded analyticsnot Apache Spark MLlib

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

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.

Tableau

  • Listed on UK G-Cloud at £9.47 per device per month for the Salesforce Tableau Platform edition, via reseller XMA Limited

Pricing, plan by plan

Apache Spark MLlib

Free

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

Tableau

$70/month
  • Creator$70/month
    • Full authoring capabilities
    • Prep Builder
    • Data Management
  • Explorer$42/month
    • Web editing
    • Self-service analytics
  • Viewer$15/month
    • View and interact with dashboards

Which should you pick?

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

Choose Tableau if

  • You need interactive dashboards.
  • You work on Web, Desktop, Mobile.
  • You also want data blending.
Tableau review

Questions people ask

Is Apache Spark MLlib or Tableau better?
Neither clearly leads. Apache Spark MLlib starts at Free and Tableau at $70/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Apache Spark MLlib or Tableau?
Apache Spark MLlib has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Apache Spark MLlib and $70/month for Tableau.
Does Apache Spark MLlib or Tableau run on more platforms?
Apache Spark MLlib runs on Linux, macOS, Windows. Tableau runs on Web, Desktop, Mobile.
Can I use Apache Spark MLlib for free?
Yes. Apache Spark MLlib has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Tableau starts at $70/month.
What is Apache Spark MLlib best used for?
Apache Spark MLlib is most often used for large-scale distributed machine learning on spark clusters, classification and regression with decision trees, random forests, gradient-boosted trees, clustering with k-means and gaussian mixture models. Of those, large-scale distributed machine learning on spark clusters and classification and regression with decision trees, random forests, gradient-boosted trees are not what Tableau is typically brought in for.
What can Apache Spark MLlib do that Tableau cannot?
Apache Spark MLlib covers Classification, Regression, Clustering, Collaborative filtering. Tableau covers Interactive Dashboards, Data Blending, Real-time Analytics, Advanced Visualizations.
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