File Storage · head to head
VAST Data vs Weka
VAST Data
File Storage
All-flash storage designed to make hard disk tiers unnecessary
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only Weka has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: VAST Data data reduction ratios drive the economics, and datasets that are already compressed, such as media or encrypted files, reduce poorly and destroy the cost per terabyte case.; Weka the package management system needs an internet connection to download and install packages, so an air-gapped install gets only the core distribution
- They diverge on capability: VAST Data covers Disaggregated architecture, Weka covers Classification.
- Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which VAST Data and Weka actually diverge.
Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated).
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 VAST Data
- Disaggregated architecture
- Similarity-based reduction
- All-flash single tier
- Multi-protocol access
- Wide erasure coding
- GPU-oriented throughput
- Snapshots and replication
Only in Weka
- Classification
- Regression
- Clustering
- Association rules
- Feature selection
- Java
- R
- Python
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
VAST Data
- A GPU training cluster where storage throughput, not compute, is the bottleneck on job completionnot Weka
- A genomics group holding petabytes of sequencing output that must stay immediately readable rather than archived to tapenot Weka
- A quantitative finance team running backtests over historical market data that a disk tier cannot serve fast enoughnot Weka
- An organisation consolidating a fast tier and an archive tier into one system to reduce rack space and power drawnot Weka
Weka
- Teaching and exploring classic machine learning algorithms through a GUInot VAST Data
- Running data mining experiments and preprocessing without writing codenot VAST Data
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
VAST Data
- Data reduction ratios drive the economics, and datasets that are already compressed, such as media or encrypted files, reduce poorly and destroy the cost per terabyte case.
- There is a minimum viable cluster size, so the entry cost is high and the platform is not sensible for a small footprint however attractive the architecture is.
- Pricing is quoted against effective capacity after reduction, which means the price you signed depends on an assumption about your own data that only becomes measurable after deployment.
- The platform has expanded into database and data catalogue functions, which broadens the roadmap but means buyers evaluating it as a file system must be careful not to be sold an adjacent product they will not use.
- As a relatively young vendor in a market of long-lived incumbents, buyers with ten year retention requirements should press on long term support commitments and hardware availability rather than assume them.
Weka
- The package management system needs an internet connection to download and install packages, so an air-gapped install gets only the core distribution
- Weka is split into a stable 3.8 branch that receives only bug fixes and compatibility-safe upgrades and a 3.9 development branch that may receive features that break compatibility
- Weka requires a 64-bit Java VM; the bundled installers ship Bellsoft OpenJDK 25 per platform and architecture
Pricing, plan by plan
VAST Data
On request- VAST Data Platform$undefined/year
- Priced per usable capacity after data reduction
- Hardware and software sold together or via certified partners
- Subscription and capital purchase options
Weka
Free- Open SourceFree
- All ML algorithms
- GUI and CLI
- Java API
Which should you pick?
Choose VAST Data if
- You need disaggregated architecture.
- You work on Linux.
- You also want similarity-based reduction.
Choose Weka if
- You need classification.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Linux, Mac, Windows.
- You also want regression.
Questions people ask
- Is VAST Data or Weka better?
- Neither clearly leads. VAST Data starts at On request and Weka at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, VAST Data or Weka?
- Weka has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for VAST Data and Free for Weka.
- Does VAST Data or Weka run on more platforms?
- VAST Data runs on Linux. Weka runs on Linux, Mac, Windows.
- Can I use Weka for free?
- Yes. Weka has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. VAST Data starts at On request.
- What is VAST Data best used for?
- VAST Data is most often used for a gpu training cluster where storage throughput, not compute, is the bottleneck on job completion, a genomics group holding petabytes of sequencing output that must stay immediately readable rather than archived to tape, a quantitative finance team running backtests over historical market data that a disk tier cannot serve fast enough, an organisation consolidating a fast tier and an archive tier into one system to reduce rack space and power draw. Of those, a gpu training cluster where storage throughput, not compute, is the bottleneck on job completion and a genomics group holding petabytes of sequencing output that must stay immediately readable rather than archived to tape are not what Weka is typically brought in for.
- What can VAST Data do that Weka cannot?
- VAST Data covers Disaggregated architecture, Similarity-based reduction, All-flash single tier, Multi-protocol access. Weka covers Classification, Regression, Clustering, Association rules.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
VAST Data: Do we still need an archive tier?
That is the central claim, and it holds when your data reduces well. Run a reduction assessment on your actual dataset before accepting the economics.
Weka: What is the cost of Weka software?
Weka is provided at no cost as open-source software released under the GNU General Public License, making it freely available for download and use.
SourceVAST Data: How is capacity priced?
On usable capacity after data reduction, quoted rather than published. That makes the reduction ratio assumption the most important number in the contract.
Weka: Are there commercial licensing options available?
Yes, the project offers information about commercial licenses for organizations requiring non-GPL terms, which can be found in their commercial applications documentation.
SourceVAST Data: Is it suitable for a small deployment?
No. There is a minimum cluster size and the entry cost reflects it. Small footprints are better served elsewhere.
Weka: What support resources are available to users?
Multiple support avenues exist including comprehensive documentation, frequently asked questions, dedicated help resources, and access to courses for learning the platform.
SourceWeka: Is source code access provided?
Yes, developers have full access to source code through the Git repository, along with development documentation and code credits for contributors.
SourceRelated pages
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