Best Databricks Data Intelligence Platform Alternatives in 2026
The top Databricks Data Intelligence Platform alternatives are Dremio, Starburst Data Platform and Starburst Galaxy: 15 data lakehouse platforms our editors would look at instead of Databricks Data Intelligence Platform, in our ranking order.
Databricks Data Intelligence Platform: A broad lakehouse platform for engineering, analytics, streaming, machine learning, and AI. Where it falls short: usage-based pricing varies by cloud, region, product, and contract.
Switching from Databricks Data Intelligence Platform? For most data lakehouse platforms buyers the best Databricks Data Intelligence Platform alternative is Dremio, built for federated SQL across diverse data estates. On a budget, IBM watsonx.data starts at $83.30/mo.
Why People Look for a Databricks Data Intelligence Platform Alternative
- Usage-based pricing varies by cloud, region, product, and contract
- Its broad feature set may exceed the needs of narrow workloads
- Paid costs are not represented by a single fixed monthly plan
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallDremio9.1
Federated SQL across diverse data estates
Visit Dremio - Lowest priceIBM watsonx.data8.2
Paid plans from $83.30/mo
Visit IBM watsonx.data - Best free optionDremio9.1
Has a free plan
Visit Dremio
All 15 Databricks Data Intelligence Platform Alternatives, Ranked
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
-
Best forFederated SQL across diverse data estates
A flexible lakehouse for querying diverse data estates across cloud and self-hosted environments.
- ACID transactions
9.1/10★★★★★Visit Dremio -
Best forTrino-based lakehouse and federated analytics
A broad Trino-based lakehouse for federated SQL, ingestion, and governed analytics.
- ACID transactions
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit Starburst -
Best forManaged federated SQL with enterprise identity controls
A managed Trino-based lakehouse platform for federated SQL and governed analytics.
- ACID transactions
8.8/10★★★★☆Try Starburst Galaxy -
Best forOpen-source streaming and CDC lakehouses
A strong self-hosted choice for streaming, CDC, and mutable lakehouse tables.
- ACID transactions
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit Apache Hudi -
Best forManaged Iceberg on Google Cloud
A managed Iceberg lakehouse for Google Cloud teams using BigQuery and open engines.
- ACID transactions
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit Google Cloud -
Best forHybrid enterprise Iceberg deployments
A broad Iceberg lakehouse for hybrid enterprises that need governance, SQL, streaming, and ML.
- ACID transactions
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit Cloudera -
Best forOpen-format lakehouse optimization and CDC
A flexible open-format lakehouse for teams combining Spark, SQL, streaming, and CDC.
- ACID transactions
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit Onehouse Cloud -
Best forHybrid lakehouse teams needing broad catalog support
A broad hybrid lakehouse for teams working across open catalogs, clouds and deployments.
- ACID transactions
8.2/10★★★★☆Try IBM watsonx.data -
Best forGoverned multi-catalog Iceberg environments
A governed, open-source lakehouse foundation for multi-catalog Iceberg environments.
- ACID transactions
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit Datastrato -
Best forAWS users unifying S3 and Redshift
A governed AWS lakehouse connecting S3, Redshift, open table formats, and analytics engines.
- ACID transactions
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit AWS -
Best forLow-cost Spark and Iceberg platform users
A low-cost Spark and Iceberg option with broad governance, streaming, and BI connectivity.
- ACID transactions
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit IOMETE -
Best forNotebook-centric Microsoft Fabric teams
A notebook-centered Fabric workspace for Spark workflows, lakehouse access, and ML operations.
- ACID transactions
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit site -
Best forTeams building versioned Python and SQL pipelines
A focused lakehouse for teams that want Git-style control over Python and SQL pipelines.
- ACID transactions
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit Bauplan -
Best forEnterprise ingestion and Iceberg replication
A broad enterprise lakehouse option for ingestion, Iceberg operations, and governance.
- ACID transactions
7.6/10★★★★☆Visit Qlik -
Best forOracle-centric Iceberg analytics and AI
A broad Oracle lakehouse for Iceberg SQL, catalogs, acceleration, AI, and analytics.
7.5/10★★★★☆Visit Oracle
Databricks Data Intelligence Platform Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to Databricks Data Intelligence Platform?
Dremio: #2 in our Data Lakehouse Platforms ranking, with an editor score of 9.1 out of 10. A flexible lakehouse for querying diverse data estates across cloud and self-hosted environments.
Is there a free alternative to Databricks Data Intelligence Platform?
Yes. Dremio, Starburst Data Platform, Starburst Galaxy, Apache Hudi and IOMETE have a free plan or a free tier (7 of the 15 alternatives on this page).
What is the cheapest paid alternative to Databricks Data Intelligence Platform?
Of the alternatives here that publish a price, IBM watsonx.data starts lowest, at $83.30/mo.
Why do people look for Databricks Data Intelligence Platform alternatives?
Usage-based pricing varies by cloud, region, product, and contract; Its broad feature set may exceed the needs of narrow workloads; Paid costs are not represented by a single fixed monthly plan.
How do I switch from Databricks Data Intelligence Platform?
Export your data from Databricks Data Intelligence Platform (most tools have an export in their settings). Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one. Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on. Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Databricks Data Intelligence Platform.
How to Switch from Databricks Data Intelligence Platform
- Export your data from Databricks Data Intelligence Platform (most tools have an export in their settings).
- Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one.
- Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on.
- Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Databricks Data Intelligence Platform.
Databricks Data Intelligence Platform vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Storage model | SQL analytics | ACID transactions | Table format support | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Databricks Data Intelligence Platform | Yes | Both | Yes | Yes | Both | 9.4 | |
| 1 | Dremio | Yes | Both | Yes | Yes | Open | 9.1 | |
| 2 | Starburst Data Platform | Yes | $0.50/unit usage-based | Both | Yes | Yes | Both | 8.9 |
| 3 | Starburst Galaxy | Yes | $0.50/unit usage-based | Both | Yes | Yes | Open | 8.8 |
| 4 | Apache Hudi | Free | External | Yes | Yes | Both | 8.6 | |
| 5 | Google Cloud Lakehouse for Apache Iceberg | No | Both | Yes | Yes | Both | 8.5 | |
| 6 | Cloudera Open Data Lakehouse | No | $0.05/unit usage-based | Both | Yes | Yes | Open | 8.4 |
| 7 | Onehouse Cloud | Both | Yes | Yes | Both | 8.3 | ||
| 8 | IBM watsonx.data | No | $83.30/mo | Both | Yes | Yes | Open | 8.2 |
| 9 | Datastrato Iceberg Lakehouse Platform | External | Yes | Yes | Open | 8.1 | ||
| 10 | Amazon SageMaker Lakehouse | No | Both | Yes | Yes | Open | 8.0 | |
| 11 | IOMETE | Yes | $500/unit/yr | External | Yes | Yes | Open | 7.9 |
| 12 | Microsoft Fabric Notebooks | Yes | Both | Yes | Yes | Open | 7.8 | |
| 13 | Bauplan | Yes | $700/mo | External | Yes | Yes | Open | 7.7 |
| 14 | Qlik Open Lakehouse | No | External | Yes | Yes | Open | 7.6 | |
| 15 | Oracle Autonomous AI Lakehouse | Both | Yes | Both | 7.5 |
Head-to-Head
- Databricks Data Intelligence Platform vs Dremio
- Databricks Data Intelligence Platform vs Starburst Data Platform
- Databricks Data Intelligence Platform vs Starburst Galaxy
- Databricks Data Intelligence Platform vs Apache Hudi
- Databricks Data Intelligence Platform vs Google Cloud Lakehouse for Apache Iceberg
- Databricks Data Intelligence Platform vs Cloudera Open Data Lakehouse
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update