Azure Data Science Virtual Machines (DSVM) vs. Azure Databricks

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
Azure Data Science Virtual Machines (DSVM)
Score 8.4 out of 10
N/A
Available on Microsoft's Azure platform, Data Science Virtual Machines (DSVMs) are comprehensive pre-configured virtual machines for data science modelling, development and deployment.N/A
Azure Databricks
Score 8.7 out of 10
N/A
Azure Databricks is a service available on Microsoft's Azure platform and suite of products. It provides the latest versions of Apache Spark so users can integrate with open source libraries, or spin up clusters and build in a fully managed Apache Spark environment with the global scale and availability of Azure. Clusters are set up, configured, and fine-tuned to ensure reliability and performance without the need for monitoring. The solution includes autoscaling and auto-termination to improve…N/A
Pricing
Azure Data Science Virtual Machines (DSVM)Azure Databricks
Editions & Modules
No answers on this topic
No answers on this topic
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
Azure Data Science Virtual Machines (DSVM)Azure Databricks
Free Trial
NoNo
Free/Freemium Version
NoNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
Additional Details
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
Azure Data Science Virtual Machines (DSVM)Azure Databricks
Features
Azure Data Science Virtual Machines (DSVM)Azure Databricks
Platform Connectivity
Comparison of Platform Connectivity features of Product A and Product B
Azure Data Science Virtual Machines (DSVM)
8.7
2 Ratings
4% above category average
Azure Databricks
7.3
4 Ratings
13% below category average
Connect to Multiple Data Sources7.82 Ratings6.04 Ratings
Extend Existing Data Sources9.01 Ratings7.74 Ratings
Automatic Data Format Detection9.01 Ratings7.34 Ratings
MDM Integration9.01 Ratings8.03 Ratings
Data Exploration
Comparison of Data Exploration features of Product A and Product B
Azure Data Science Virtual Machines (DSVM)
8.1
2 Ratings
4% below category average
Azure Databricks
6.9
4 Ratings
20% below category average
Visualization7.82 Ratings6.04 Ratings
Interactive Data Analysis8.42 Ratings7.73 Ratings
Data Preparation
Comparison of Data Preparation features of Product A and Product B
Azure Data Science Virtual Machines (DSVM)
8.9
2 Ratings
9% above category average
Azure Databricks
8.7
4 Ratings
6% above category average
Interactive Data Cleaning and Enrichment9.01 Ratings8.34 Ratings
Data Transformations9.01 Ratings9.04 Ratings
Data Encryption9.01 Ratings9.44 Ratings
Built-in Processors8.42 Ratings7.94 Ratings
Platform Data Modeling
Comparison of Platform Data Modeling features of Product A and Product B
Azure Data Science Virtual Machines (DSVM)
8.4
2 Ratings
0% above category average
Azure Databricks
7.9
4 Ratings
6% below category average
Multiple Model Development Languages and Tools8.42 Ratings6.34 Ratings
Automated Machine Learning9.02 Ratings8.64 Ratings
Single platform for multiple model development7.82 Ratings8.44 Ratings
Self-Service Model Delivery8.42 Ratings8.44 Ratings
Model Deployment
Comparison of Model Deployment features of Product A and Product B
Azure Data Science Virtual Machines (DSVM)
7.7
2 Ratings
10% below category average
Azure Databricks
8.3
4 Ratings
3% below category average
Flexible Model Publishing Options8.42 Ratings8.04 Ratings
Security, Governance, and Cost Controls7.01 Ratings8.64 Ratings
User Ratings
Azure Data Science Virtual Machines (DSVM)Azure Databricks
Likelihood to Recommend
8.4
(2 ratings)
7.8
(5 ratings)
Usability
-
(0 ratings)
7.6
(3 ratings)
User Testimonials
Azure Data Science Virtual Machines (DSVM)Azure Databricks
Likelihood to Recommend
Microsoft
Azure DSVM is useful in [a] Machine Learning environment where GPU-based processing is [required]. [The] most relevant [users] for the Azure DSVM is in ML/AI for model training and processing [high-end] CPU tasks with GPU compatibility. Azure DSVM is built for [a] startup to low medium IT environments where the ML/AI-based projects are [carried] out.
Read full review
Microsoft
Centralised notebooks are out directly into production. This can lead to poorly engineered code. It is very good for fast queries and our data team are always able to provide what we ask for. It is a big cost to our business so it is important it runs efficiently and returns on our investment.
Read full review
Pros
Microsoft
  • Leveraging data.
  • Computer vision.
  • Data science.
Read full review
Microsoft
  • Data Processing and Transformations based on Spark
  • Delta Lakehouse when clubbed with an external cloud storage
  • Governance using Unity Catalog to unify IAM
  • Delta Live Tables is a product, which although relatively newer, has a great potential with the visuals of a pipeline.
Read full review
Cons
Microsoft
  • Azure DSVM pricing must be reduced so that an AI-based start-up can use the Azure DSVM.
  • Azure must create an environment to use Azure DSVM offline as well.
  • Lack of frameworks
Read full review
Microsoft
  • Intuitive interface
  • Ease of use
  • Providing FAQ or QRGs
Read full review
Usability
Microsoft
No answers on this topic
Microsoft
The developers are able to switch between Python and SQL in the Notebook which allows the collaboration of SQL analyst and Data scientist. The integration of Mosaic AI allows users to write complex codes in natural languages. Unity catalog has centralized the security and governance features and simplified the process of maintaining it
Read full review
Alternatives Considered
Microsoft
It's within the Azure environment and it's easy to manage.
Read full review
Microsoft
I have found Azure Databricks to be much better than Snowflake for handling bigger, diverse data types. Snowflake is much simpler and better for smaller warehousing. The real time processing is much better in Azure Databricks and we have much more language options. Snowflake is more expensive but simpler to use. Both are great for different needs.
Read full review
Return on Investment
Microsoft
  • Azure DSVM is little costly with long term support for ML based environments.
  • Azure DSVM is very good for short tasking and costs us [a] little low than the on-prem server.
  • [Scaling] option is very convenient.
Read full review
Microsoft
  • The support team is amazing, they help you at every stage of the projects, from sales to delivery.
  • On a framework level, it has had an amazing impact and has reduced the clients overall data platform costs by a staggering 65%
  • There has been a 40% Manual work requirement on average for the clients when they move to Azure Databricks Data Platform
Read full review
ScreenShots