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# Amazon EMR vs Apache Spark for Azure HDInsight Comparison - What are their main differences?

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Amazon EMRApache Spark for Azure...[+ Add Product](#)

Pricing

**Amazon EMR**
No pricing available

**Apache Spark for Azure HDInsight**
No pricing available

**Pricing Insights**
from reviews

Perceived Cost

**Amazon EMR**
$$$$$

**Apache Spark for Azure HDInsight**
$$$$$

Average Discount

**Amazon EMR**
Not enough reviews yet

**Apache Spark for Azure HDInsight**
Not enough reviews yet

Uncover valuable pricing insights from real user feedback to improve your shopping experience.
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Time to Implement

**Amazon EMR** 6 months
Based on 100 responses

**Apache Spark for Azure HDInsight** 6 months
Based on 100 responses

Return on Investment

**Amazon EMR** 6 months
Based on 100 responses

**Apache Spark for Azure HDInsight** 6 months
Based on 100 responses

**Pros & Cons**
from reviews

**Amazon EMR**

Data Integration (1)

Ease of Use (1)

Performance Issues (1)

Poor Performance (1)

**Apache Spark for Azure HDInsight**
Not enough data

Integrations

**Amazon EMR**
[

 ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_b3390b4cc3d92e87d570895f7358c003/amazon-cloudwatch.jpg "Product Avatar Image")

Amazon CloudWatch

](https://www.g2.com/products/amazon-cloudwatch/reviews)[

 ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_764bdd3b0bc81b470d93f18d12c826d2/amazon-web-services-aws-amazon-dynamodb.png "Product Avatar Image")

Amazon DynamoDB

](https://www.g2.com/products/amazon-web-services-aws-amazon-dynamodb/reviews)[

 ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_b3390b4cc3d92e87d570895f7358c003/amazon-redshift.jpg "Product Avatar Image")

Amazon Redshift

](https://www.g2.com/products/amazon-redshift/reviews)[

 ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_0148ca76408710a295015ec26b43fd3e/amazon-relational-database-service-rds.jpg "Product Avatar Image")

Amazon Relational Database...

](https://www.g2.com/products/amazon-relational-database-service-rds/reviews)[
View all
](https://www.g2.com/products/amazon-emr/integrations)

**Apache Spark for Azure HDInsight**
[

 ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_f176b4154a751d10150daa67a57b7dc5/azure-data-factory.jpg "Product Avatar Image")

Azure Data Factory

](https://www.g2.com/products/azure-data-factory/reviews)[
View all
](https://www.g2.com/products/apache-spark-for-azure-hdinsight/integrations)

**Ratings**
from reviews

Meets Requirements

**Amazon EMR**

**8.7** /10

Based on 55 responses

**Apache Spark for Azure HDInsight**

**8.5** /10

Based on 11 responses

Ease of Use

**Amazon EMR**

**8.3** /10

Based on 54 responses

**Apache Spark for Azure HDInsight**

**8.6** /10

Based on 11 responses

Ease of Setup

**Amazon EMR**

**8.6** /10

Based on 27 responses

**Apache Spark for Azure HDInsight**

**8.7** /10

Based on 5 responses

Ease of Admin

**Amazon EMR**

**8.6** /10

Based on 22 responses

**Apache Spark for Azure HDInsight**

**9.0** /10

Based on 5 responses

Quality of Support

**Amazon EMR**

**8.3** /10

Based on 53 responses

**Apache Spark for Azure HDInsight**

**8.5** /10

Based on 11 responses

Has the product been a good partner in doing business?

**Amazon EMR**

**8.9** /10

Based on 22 responses

**Apache Spark for Azure HDInsight**

**8.0** /10

Based on 5 responses

Product Direction (% positive)

**Amazon EMR**

**8.1** /10

Based on 48 responses

**Apache Spark for Azure HDInsight**

**8.9** /10

Based on 11 responses

**Features**
ratings from reviews

Big Data Processing and Distribution

**8.8** /10

Based on 43 responses

**8.8** /10

Based on 11 responses

User Insights

**Reviewers' Company Size**

Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
21.0%

Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
21.0%

Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.)
58.1%

Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
21.0%

Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
21.0%

Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.)
58.1%

Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
16.7%

Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
58.3%

Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.)
25.0%

Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
16.7%

Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
58.3%

Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.)
25.0%

**Reviewers' Industry**

[![Amazon EMR](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/1528476487/amazon-emr.svg "Amazon EMR")](https://www.g2.com/products/amazon-emr/reviews)
Amazon EMR

Financial Services
23.0%

Computer Software
21.3%

Information Technology and Services
14.8%

Retail
4.9%

Biotechnology
3.3%

Other
32.8%

[![Apache Spark for Azure HDInsight](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_f176b4154a751d10150daa67a57b7dc5/apache-spark-for-azure-hdinsight.jpg "Apache Spark for Azure HDInsight")](https://www.g2.com/products/apache-spark-for-azure-hdinsight/reviews)
Apache Spark for Azure HDInsight

Computer Software
16.7%

Research
8.3%

Machinery
8.3%

Luxury Goods & Jewelry
8.3%

Information Technology and Services
8.3%

Other
50.0%

Alternatives

**Amazon EMR Alternatives**

 ![Databricks](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/135d1c9e39e19ef56dc8d0bf90fce20f/databricks.svg "Databricks")

[
Databricks
](/products/databricks/reviews)

 ![Snowflake](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/1544409170/snowflake.svg "Snowflake")

[
Snowflake
](/products/snowflake/reviews)

 ![Qubole](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/1542306394/qubole.svg "Qubole")

[
Qubole
](/products/qubole/reviews)

 ![Google Cloud Managed Service for Apache Spark](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_0c51d2c2e5f85fe45126eb818f748267/google-cloud-managed-service-for-apache-spark.png "Google Cloud Managed Service for Apache Spark")

[
Google Cloud Managed Service for Apache Spark
](/products/google-cloud-managed-service-for-apache-spark/reviews)

**Apache Spark for Azure HDInsight Alternatives**

 ![Google Cloud Managed Service for Apache Spark](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_0c51d2c2e5f85fe45126eb818f748267/google-cloud-managed-service-for-apache-spark.png "Google Cloud Managed Service for Apache Spark")

[
Google Cloud Managed Service for Apache Spark
](/products/google-cloud-managed-service-for-apache-spark/reviews)

 ![Google Cloud BigQuery](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/875b8a68eca98ce3458f26e9dd34cdf9/google-cloud-bigquery.svg "Google Cloud BigQuery")

[
BigQuery
](/products/google-cloud-bigquery/reviews)

 ![Snowflake](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/1544409170/snowflake.svg "Snowflake")

[
Snowflake
](/products/snowflake/reviews)

 ![Databricks](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/135d1c9e39e19ef56dc8d0bf90fce20f/databricks.svg "Databricks")

[
Databricks
](/products/databricks/reviews)

## Amazon EMR vs Apache Spark for Azure... FAQs

Generated using AI

Last updated: August 15, 2026

### What is the difference between Amazon EMR vs Apache Spark for Azure...?

Amazon EMR stands out for its higher G2 rating and review volume, while Apache Spark for Azure... is rated slightly lower but scores higher on Ease of Admin.

| [Amazon EMR](https://www.g2.com/products/amazon-emr/reviews) | [Apache Spark for Azure...](https://www.g2.com/products/apache-spark-for-azure-hdinsight/reviews) |
| --- | --- |
| 4.2/5 (70 reviews) | 4.1/5 (13 reviews) |
| — | — |
| 8.6 | 8.7 |
| 8.3 | 8.5 |
| Data Integration | — |

### How do the pricing models of Amazon EMR and Apache Spark for Azure... compare?

Amazon EMR is favored for value by reviewers, as reflected in its higher satisfaction with pricing and cost management.

- **Amazon EMR:** Reviewers highlight cost savings through features like auto-termination and spot instance pricing, with several noting that EMR can reduce processing costs by up to 90% for certain workloads.
- **Apache Spark for Azure...:** Recent reviewers note that while the managed service is robust, pricing can escalate quickly if clusters are not managed or scaled down during idle times.

### What are the best alternatives to Amazon EMR and Apache Spark for Azure...?

According to G2, the top 3 alternatives to Amazon EMR and Apache Spark for Azure... are Google Cloud Managed Service for Apache Spark, Databricks, and Snowflake.

| Product | G2 Rating (reviews) | Pricing Insight | Top Reviewer-Cited Strength |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Amazon EMR](https://www.g2.com/products/amazon-emr/reviews) | 4.2/5 (70) | Reviewers highlight cost savings with spot instances and auto-termination | Data Integration |
| [Apache Spark for Azure...](https://www.g2.com/products/apache-spark-for-azure-hdinsight/reviews) | 4.1/5 (13) | Pricing can escalate if clusters are not managed or scaled down | Effortless scaling and Azure ecosystem integration |
| [Google Cloud Managed Service for Apache Spark](https://www.g2.com/products/google-cloud-managed-service-for-apache-spark/reviews) | 4.3/5 (18) | — | — |
| [Databricks](https://www.g2.com/products/databricks/reviews) | 4.6/5 (1366) | — | — |
| [Snowflake](https://www.g2.com/products/snowflake/reviews) | 4.5/5 (763) | — | — |

### Which Big Data Processing and Distribution features should I prioritize when comparing Amazon EMR and Apache Spark for Azure...?

Buyers should prioritize Ease of Setup, Quality of Support, Ease of Admin, Data Integration, and Cost Management when comparing Amazon EMR and Apache Spark for Azure....

- **Ease of Setup:** Amazon EMR 8.6, Apache Spark for Azure... 8.7
- **Quality of Support:** Amazon EMR 8.3, Apache Spark for Azure... 8.5
- **Ease of Admin:** Amazon EMR 8.6, Apache Spark for Azure... 9.0
- **Data Integration:** Amazon EMR is cited for data integration in recent reviews (1 all-time mention)
- **Cost Management:** Amazon EMR reviewers highlight cost savings with spot instances and auto-termination; Apache Spark for Azure... reviewers note potential for escalating costs if clusters are not managed

### What are the pros and cons of Amazon EMR vs Apache Spark for Azure...?

Amazon EMR's headline strength is cost efficiency and integration with AWS services, while Apache Spark for Azure... is praised for effortless scaling and Azure ecosystem integration.

- **Amazon EMR strengths:** Reviewers highlight data integration, ease of use, and handling large datasets. Cost savings through spot instances and auto-termination are frequently mentioned.
- **Amazon EMR trade-offs:** Reviewers note performance issues, slow performance, and the need for technical expertise in cluster configuration and optimization. Cost management requires attention, and there is no serverless model.
- **Apache Spark for Azure... strengths:** Reviewers praise effortless scaling, managed infrastructure, and integration with the Azure ecosystem. Jupyter Notebook integration is also cited as a benefit.
- **Apache Spark for Azure... trade-offs:** Reviewers mention slow cluster spin-up times, escalating costs if clusters are not managed, and a less modern UI compared to newer alternatives like Azure Databricks.

### Is Amazon EMR or Apache Spark for Azure... better for small businesses?

Amazon EMR is the better fit for small businesses, as reviewers recommend it for startups and highlight its cost efficiency and ease of setup.

- **Amazon EMR:** Reviewers from small businesses recommend it as a good option for startups, citing cost efficiency and time savings in setup and management.
- **Apache Spark for Azure...:** Reviewers highlight its managed nature and integration with Azure, but do not specifically cite small-business fit.

### Which Big Data Processing and Distribution platform has better integrations?

Amazon EMR is favored for integrations, with reviewers citing its compatibility with AWS services and third-party tools.

- **Amazon EMR:** Reviewers mention integration with S3, Airflow, Glue, CloudWatch, and Slack in recent reviews.
- **Apache Spark for Azure...:** Reviewers highlight integration within the Azure ecosystem and Jupyter Notebook support.

### How do Amazon EMR and Apache Spark for Azure... compare on customer support?

Amazon EMR and Apache Spark for Azure... are rated at parity on Quality of Support, with scores of 8.3 and 8.5 respectively, a difference below the materiality threshold.

- **Amazon EMR:** Reviewers describe support as straightforward and responsive, with onboarding support noted as a positive.
- **Apache Spark for Azure...:** Reviewers report positive support experiences, with several citing helpful responses and efficient issue resolution.

### Which is easier to implement, Amazon EMR or Apache Spark for Azure...?

Amazon EMR and Apache Spark for Azure... are rated at parity on Ease of Setup, with scores of 8.6 and 8.7 respectively, a difference below the materiality threshold.

- **Amazon EMR:** Reviewers consistently describe setup as easy, with cluster creation and job launching highlighted as straightforward, though some note a learning curve for new users.
- **Apache Spark for Azure...:** Reviewers report that setup is simple and intuitive, with drag-and-drop functionality and easy cluster creation cited as benefits.

## Amazon EMR vs Apache Spark for Azure HDInsight

When assessing the two solutions, reviewers found Apache Spark for Azure HDInsight easier to use, set up, and administer. However, reviewers preferred doing business with Amazon EMR overall.

- Reviewers felt that Amazon EMR meets the needs of their business better than Apache Spark for Azure HDInsight.
- When comparing quality of ongoing product support, reviewers felt that Apache Spark for Azure HDInsight is the preferred option.
- For feature updates and roadmaps, our reviewers preferred the direction of Apache Spark for Azure HDInsight over Amazon EMR.