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The Internet Compass

Comparison

Databricks vs Looker

Scored side by side on data-analytics, using the same criteria we apply across the category.

Databricks

Lakehouse platform unifying data engineering, analytics and machine learning on open formats.

4.5(4,300)$0.07 per DBU, consumption-based
Looker

Governed BI built on a version-controlled semantic layer.

4.2(3,400)Custom, typically $60k+ per year

Scored side by side

Governance

Databricks
4.4
Looker
4.9

Value for money

Databricks
4.0
Looker
3.2

Databricks verdict

The right platform when machine learning is a first-class workload rather than an afterthought.

  • Best unified platform for data and machine learning
  • Open table formats limit lock-in
  • Mature experiment tracking and model serving

Looker verdict

The strongest governance story in BI. Only justifiable if you will genuinely maintain the semantic layer.

  • Semantic layer ends metric disputes
  • Excellent embedded analytics
  • Version control brings engineering rigour to BI