# Azure Data Lake Analytics vs Azure Databricks Comparison

---
## Frequently Asked Questions

### What is the difference between Azure Data Lake Analytics vs Azure Databricks?

Azure Databricks stands out from Azure Data Lake Analytics with a higher G2 rating, more reviews, and stronger reviewer-cited strengths in features and integrations.

| [Azure Data Lake Analytics](https://www.g2.com/products/azure-data-lake-analytics/reviews) | [Azure Databricks](https://www.g2.com/products/azure-databricks/reviews) |
| --- | --- |
| 4.2/5 (37 reviews) | 4.5/5 (239 reviews) |
| Enterprise | Enterprise |
| 8.3 | 8.7 |
| 8.5 | 8.5 |
| — | Ease of Use (9 all-time mentions) |



### How do the pricing models of Azure Data Lake Analytics and Azure Databricks compare?

Azure Databricks is rated higher for price/cost satisfaction than Azure Data Lake Analytics, indicating reviewers consider it the stronger value.

- **Azure Data Lake Analytics:** Reviewers describe the cost as reasonable, but some note it can be slower and costlier than Spark for certain workloads.
- **Azure Databricks:** Reviewers frequently mention cost management as a challenge, with costs increasing quickly if clusters are not optimized, but also note that it is less costly than some competitors like Snowflake for certain use cases.



### What are the best alternatives to Azure Data Lake Analytics and Azure Databricks?

The top 3 alternatives to Azure Data Lake Analytics and Azure Databricks are Alteryx, BigQuery, and Splunk Enterprise.

| Product | G2 Rating (reviews) | Largest Segment | Pricing Insight | Top Reviewer-Cited Strength |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Azure Data Lake Analytics](https://www.g2.com/products/azure-data-lake-analytics/reviews) | 4.2/5 (37 reviews) | Enterprise | — | — |
| [Azure Databricks](https://www.g2.com/products/azure-databricks/reviews) | 4.5/5 (239 reviews) | Enterprise | Less costly than some competitors for certain use cases | Ease of Use (9 all-time mentions) |
| [Alteryx](https://www.g2.com/products/alteryx/reviews) | 4.6/5 (894 reviews) | Enterprise | — | — |
| [BigQuery](https://www.g2.com/products/google-cloud-bigquery/reviews) | 4.5/5 (1224 reviews) | Enterprise | — | — |
| [Splunk Enterprise](https://www.g2.com/products/splunk-enterprise/reviews) | 4.3/5 (434 reviews) | Enterprise | — | — |



### Which Big Data Analytics features should I prioritize when comparing Azure Data Lake Analytics and Azure Databricks?

Buyers should prioritize Ease of Use, Integrations, Features, Scaling, and Analytics when comparing Azure Data Lake Analytics and Azure Databricks.

- **Ease of Use:** Azure Data Lake Analytics scores 8.4; Azure Databricks scores 8.7 and has 9 all-time reviewer mentions for ease of use.
- **Integrations:** Azure Databricks has 6 all-time reviewer mentions for integrations, including Snowflake.
- **Features:** Azure Databricks has 8 all-time reviewer mentions for features.
- **Scaling:** Azure Databricks has 4 all-time reviewer mentions for scaling.
- **Analytics:** Azure Databricks has 4 all-time reviewer mentions for analytics.



### What are the pros and cons of Azure Data Lake Analytics vs Azure Databricks?

Azure Data Lake Analytics is praised for its simplicity and reasonable cost, while Azure Databricks is recognized for its ease of use and robust features.

- **Azure Data Lake Analytics strengths:** Reviewers highlight simplicity, easy interface, and reasonable cost.
- **Azure Data Lake Analytics trade-offs:** Some reviewers note a learning curve, lack of streaming/event processing, and slower performance compared to Spark.
- **Azure Databricks strengths:** Ease of use (9 all-time mentions), features (8), integrations (6), speed (5), analytics (4), scaling (4), productivity improvement (3), serverless architecture (3), and usability (3).
- **Azure Databricks trade-offs:** Complexity (3 all-time mentions), difficult setup (3), learning curve (3), slow performance (3), unclear pricing (3), workflow issues (3), and complex usability (2).



### Is Azure Data Lake Analytics or Azure Databricks better for small businesses?

Azure Data Lake Analytics and Azure Databricks both have Enterprise as their largest reviewer segment, with no small-business segment dominance indicated for either.

- **Azure Data Lake Analytics:** Largest segment is Enterprise; reviewers note simplicity and reasonable cost, but also mention a learning curve.
- **Azure Databricks:** Largest segment is Enterprise; reviewers highlight ease of use and robust features, but also mention complexity and cost management as considerations for smaller teams.



### Which Big Data Analytics platform has better integrations?

Azure Databricks is favored by reviewers for integrations, with multiple all-time mentions and specific third-party tool references.

- **Azure Data Lake Analytics:** Reviewers mention integration with other Azure services, but no third-party integration is cited in the data.
- **Azure Databricks:** Integrations are cited in 6 all-time reviewer mentions, including Snowflake, with reviewers also noting integration with Azure Data Lake Storage and other Azure services.



### How do Azure Data Lake Analytics and Azure Databricks compare on customer support?

Azure Data Lake Analytics and Azure Databricks are rated equally on Quality of Support, both scoring 8.5, indicating parity in reviewer satisfaction.

- **Azure Data Lake Analytics:** Reviewers describe support as helpful and responsive, with scores of 7.0 in multiple recent reviews.
- **Azure Databricks:** Reviewers consistently rate support highly, with many recent reviews scoring 7.0 and noting helpfulness, though some mention occasional slow response times.



### Which is easier to implement, Azure Data Lake Analytics or Azure Databricks?

Azure Databricks scores higher on Ease of Setup (8.7 vs 8.3), indicating reviewers find it easier to implement than Azure Data Lake Analytics.

- **Azure Data Lake Analytics:** Reviewers describe setup as straightforward but note a learning curve and some complexity for new users.
- **Azure Databricks:** Reviewers frequently mention easy initial setup, user-friendly onboarding, and efficient implementation, with many scoring setup as 7.0.



### Which product has better Data Lake?

Azure Databricks is more frequently cited for its Data Lake capabilities, with strong reviewer sentiment and integration mentions.

- **Azure Data Lake Analytics:** Reviewers note centralized storage and management of structured and unstructured data, with positive sentiment for data lake functionality.
- **Azure Databricks:** Reviewers highlight robust Data Lake integration, frequent use with Azure Data Lake Storage, and strong support for large-scale data processing, with multiple all-time mentions for integrations and features related to Data Lake.



| | Azure Data Lake Analytics | Azure Databricks | 
|---|---|---|
| **Star Rating** | 4.2 out of 5 | 4.5 out of 5 | 
| **Total Reviews** | 37 | 239 | 
| **Largest Market Segment** | Enterprise (44.4% of reviews) | Enterprise (47.6% of reviews) | 
| **Entry Level Price** | No pricing available | No pricing available | 

---
## Top Pros & Cons

### Azure Data Lake Analytics

**Not enough data**

### Azure Databricks

Pros:
- Ease of Use (9 reviews)
- Features (8 reviews)

Cons:
- Complexity (3 reviews)
- Difficult Setup (3 reviews)

---
## Ratings Comparison
| Rating | Azure Data Lake Analytics | Azure Databricks | 
|---|---|---|
  | **Meets Requirements** | 8.6 (23 reviews) | 8.9 (170 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Use** | 8.4 (23 reviews) | 8.7 (172 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Setup** | 8.3 (11 reviews) | 8.7 (85 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Admin** | 8.3 (11 reviews) | 8.5 (61 reviews) | 
  | **Quality of Support** | 8.5 (23 reviews) | 8.5 (156 reviews) | 
  | **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?** | 8.6 (11 reviews) | 8.8 (60 reviews) | 
  | **Product Direction (% positive)** | 9.0 (24 reviews) | 9.5 (161 reviews) | 

---
## Pricing

### Azure Data Lake Analytics

#### Entry-Level Pricing

No pricing available

#### Free Trial

No information available

### Azure Databricks

#### Entry-Level Pricing

No pricing available

#### Free Trial

No information available

---
## Features Comparison By Category

### Big Data Analytics

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Azure Data Lake Analytics** | 8.5/10 | 29 |
| **Azure Databricks** | 8.8/10 | 170 |

#### Data Transformation

| Feature | Azure Data Lake Analytics | Azure Databricks | 
|---|---|---|
| **Real-Time Analytics** | 8.1 (17 reviews) ✓ Verified | 8.9 (137 reviews) ✓ Verified | 
| **Data Querying** | 8.8 (16 reviews) ✓ Verified | 9.3 (90 reviews) ✓ Verified | 
| **Reporting/Analytics** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Predictive Analytics** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Visual Analytics** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Connectivity

| Feature | Azure Data Lake Analytics | Azure Databricks | 
|---|---|---|
| **Hadoop Integration** | 8.4 (18 reviews) ✓ Verified | 8.4 (122 reviews) ✓ Verified | 
| **Spark Integration** | 8.6 (17 reviews) ✓ Verified | 9.0 (141 reviews) ✓ Verified | 
| **Multi-Source Analysis** | 7.9 (19 reviews) ✓ Verified | 9.0 (133 reviews) ✓ Verified | 
| **Data Lake** | 9.0 (20 reviews) ✓ Verified | 9.2 (139 reviews) ✓ Verified | 
| **Real-Time Data** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Data Capture and Transfer** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Trend Analysis** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **What-if Analysis** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Statistical Analysis** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Data Blending** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Ad hoc Analysis** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Third-Party Integrations** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Operations

| Feature | Azure Data Lake Analytics | Azure Databricks | 
|---|---|---|
| **Data Visualization** | 8.5 (19 reviews) ✓ Verified | 8.4 (132 reviews) ✓ Verified | 
| **Data Workflow** | 8.5 (17 reviews) ✓ Verified | 8.7 (134 reviews) ✓ Verified | 
| **Governed Discovery** | 8.1 (18 reviews) ✓ Verified | 8.5 (121 reviews) ✓ Verified | 
| **Embedded Analytics** | 8.9 (16 reviews) ✓ Verified | 8.5 (113 reviews) ✓ Verified | 
| **Notebooks** | 8.2 (15 reviews) ✓ Verified | 9.3 (85 reviews) ✓ Verified | 
| **Data Discovery** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Additional Functionality

| Feature | Azure Data Lake Analytics | Azure Databricks | 
|---|---|---|
| **Data Warehousing** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Drag & Drop** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Activity Dashboard** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Data Connectors** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Ad hoc Reporting** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Customizable Reports** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Alerts/Escalation** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Templates** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Forecasting** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Data Migration** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Data Transformation** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Access Controls/Permissions** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **API** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Data Cleansing** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Data Synchronization** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **AI Copilot** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Dashboard Creation** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Data Extraction** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Data Security** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **SSL Security** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Collaboration Tools** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **No-Code** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **High Volume Processing** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Database Support** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Search/Filter** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Generative AI** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

### Big Data

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Azure Data Lake Analytics** | N/A | N/A |
| **Azure Databricks** | N/A | N/A |

#### Building Reports

| Feature | Azure Data Lake Analytics | Azure Databricks | 
|---|---|---|
| **Data Transformation** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Data Modeling** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **WYSIWYG Report Design** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Integration APIs** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Real-Time Data** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Real-Time Data** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Third-Party Integrations** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Third-Party Integrations** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Platform

| Feature | Azure Data Lake Analytics | Azure Databricks | 
|---|---|---|
| **Mobile User Support** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Customization ** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **User, Role, and Access Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Internationalization** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Sandbox / Test Environments** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Performance and Reliability** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Breadth of Partner Applications** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Mobile Access** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Metadata Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

---
## Categories
**Shared Categories (1):** [Big Data Analytics Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/big-data-analytics)




---
## Reviewer Demographics

### By Company Size

| Segment | Azure Data Lake Analytics | Azure Databricks | 
|---|---|---|
| **Small-Business** | 18.5% | 24.1% | 
| **Mid-Market** | 37.0% | 28.3% | 
| **Enterprise** | 44.4% | 47.6% | 

### By Industry

#### Azure Data Lake Analytics

- **Computer Software:** 14.8%
- **Consumer Goods:** 11.1%
- **Telecommunications:** 7.4%
- **Internet:** 7.4%
- **Information Technology and Services:** 7.4%
- **Consumer Services:** 7.4%
- **Accounting:** 3.7%
- **Airlines/Aviation:** 3.7%
- **Automotive:** 3.7%
- **Banking:** 3.7%
- **Other:** 29.6%

#### Azure Databricks

- **Information Technology and Services:** 23.2%
- **Computer Software:** 11.4%
- **Retail:** 4.7%
- **Financial Services:** 4.7%
- **Automotive:** 3.8%
- **Computer & Network Security:** 3.8%
- **Hospital & Health Care:** 3.8%
- **Health, Wellness and Fitness:** 3.8%
- **Insurance:** 3.3%
- **Logistics and Supply Chain:** 2.8%
- **Other:** 34.6%

---
## Alternatives

### Alternatives to Azure Data Lake Analytics

- [Google Cloud BigQuery](https://www.g2.com/products/google-cloud-bigquery/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (1223 reviews)
- [Splunk Enterprise](https://www.g2.com/products/splunk-enterprise/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (432 reviews)
- [Snowflake](https://www.g2.com/products/snowflake/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (762 reviews)
- [Databricks](https://www.g2.com/products/databricks/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (1360 reviews)
- [MATLAB](https://www.g2.com/products/matlab/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (773 reviews)
- [Teradata Autonomous Knowledge Platform](https://www.g2.com/products/teradata-autonomous-knowledge-platform/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (374 reviews)
- [Alteryx](https://www.g2.com/products/alteryx/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (894 reviews)
- [Kyvos Semantic Layer](https://www.g2.com/products/kyvos-semantic-layer/reviews) — 4.8/5 stars (288 reviews)
- [Qubole](https://www.g2.com/products/qubole/reviews) — 4.0/5 stars (259 reviews)
- [Dataiku](https://www.g2.com/products/dataiku/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (229 reviews)

### Alternatives to Azure Databricks

- [Alteryx](https://www.g2.com/products/alteryx/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (894 reviews)
- [Snowflake](https://www.g2.com/products/snowflake/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (762 reviews)
- [Splunk Enterprise](https://www.g2.com/products/splunk-enterprise/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (432 reviews)
- [Dataiku](https://www.g2.com/products/dataiku/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (229 reviews)
- [Cloudera](https://www.g2.com/products/cloudera/reviews) — 4.2/5 stars (199 reviews)
- [IBM Cloud Pak for Data](https://www.g2.com/products/ibm-cloud-pak-for-data/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (89 reviews)
- [Google Cloud BigQuery](https://www.g2.com/products/google-cloud-bigquery/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (1223 reviews)
- [EXASOL](https://www.g2.com/products/exasol/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (28 reviews)
- [Qubole](https://www.g2.com/products/qubole/reviews) — 4.0/5 stars (259 reviews)
- [Databricks](https://www.g2.com/products/databricks/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (1360 reviews)

---
## Top Discussions

### Azure Data Lake Analytics

No discussions available for this product.

### Azure Databricks

- Title: [What is Azure Databricks used for?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/azure-databricks-what-is-azure-databricks-used-for) — 2 comments
  > **Top comment:** "It is mostly for Data Engineering and Analytics."
- Title: [Is Azure Databricks PaaS or SAAS?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/is-azure-databricks-paas-or-saas) — 2 comments
  > **Top comment:** "Platform as a service "
- Title: [Does Microsoft own Databricks?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/does-microsoft-own-databricks) — 2 comments
  > **Top comment:** "no"
- Title: [When data is small how can I reconfigure cluster to automatically adjust . I don't know which day data coming will be small.](https://www.g2.com/discussions/azure-databricks-when-data-is-small-how-can-i-reconfigure-cluster-to-automatically-adjust-i-don-t-know-which-day-dat) — 1 comment, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "You can't change cluster once create, if u want to change cluster type create a new cluster "
- Title: [What is Databricks Azure?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-databricks-azure) — 1 comment
  > **Top comment:** "Databricks is the implementation of Apache Spark on Azure. With fully managed Spark clusters, it is used to process large workloads of data and also helps in..."

---
**Source:** [G2.com](https://www.g2.com) | [Comparison Page](https://www.g2.com/compare/azure-data-lake-analytics-vs-azure-databricks)