Dataiku, Databricks, DataRobot or a data and ML agency?
This comparison is written by Saména, which appears in it; what it says about the others comes from their official pages, checked on 12 November 2026. Dataiku, Databricks and DataRobot are platforms for teams that build data and machine learning projects. For one specific project to deliver fast, without an in-house data team, we rank a forward deployed agency first: it builds on your data and puts it into production, and a platform is not a prerequisite.
- Forward deployed agency, data and machine learning (Saména included). Engineers build one specific project on your data, put it into production and follow it. At Saména, a first result runs two weeks after the first call.
- Databricks. A data and AI platform billed on usage, in processing units per second, on AWS, Azure or GCP.
- Dataiku. A platform that brings analytics, models and AI agents together, in the cloud, in your cloud or on-premises. No price grid published.
- DataRobot. A platform to build, run and govern AI agents and models, as SaaS, in a private cloud or on-premises. No price grid published.
You have data and a need for prediction, classification or steering. Three large platforms come up, and one other path: an agency that builds the project with you.
How we compared
| Option | Who it is for | Billing | Deployment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forward deployed agency | A company with one specific project | Setup, then subscription (Saména) | Servers in France, database in the European Union (Saména) |
| Databricks | Enterprises, developers, business users | On usage, in processing units per second, commitment contracts with discounts | AWS, Azure, GCP |
| Dataiku | Analysts, data scientists, AI builders | No price grid published | Dataiku Cloud, your cloud, or on-premises |
| DataRobot | Teams that build and govern agents and models | No price grid published | SaaS, VPC or on-premises |
1. Forward deployed agency, data and machine learning: one specific project, fast
Engineers build a project on your data with you: a classification model, a forecast, a data pipeline, or an agent. They put it into production and follow it. At Saména, the first call lasts 30 minutes, is free and carries no commitment, and a first result runs two weeks later.
- Strength: no platform to buy or learn before you start.
- Strength: servers in France, database in the European Union, European models under a no-training contract.
- Limit: you need someone on your side who knows the data and validates the results.
- Limit: if you have a data team building dozens of projects, a platform serves the long term better.
2. Databricks: a data and AI platform for large volumes
Databricks describes itself as “a unified data and AI platform that runs both analytical and operational workloads”. Its pricing page states pay-as-you-go billing, per second, in DBUs, with commitment contracts at a discount; no figure is shown. Its documentation lists European AWS regions: Frankfurt, Ireland, London and Paris.
- Strength: one platform for data and AI, on the three major clouds.
- Limit: a platform to buy, configure and keep alive with a team that knows it.
- Limit: cost depends on consumption and is controlled by regular monitoring.
3. Dataiku: analytics, models and agents in one governed system
Dataiku writes that its platform brings “analytics, models, and AI agents together in a single governed system”. Its documentation describes three deployments: Dataiku Cloud, in your own cloud (AWS, GCP, Azure) or on a server on-premises. The pages we read publish no price grid: they offer a trial or a demo.
- Strength: visual recipes for analysts and code for data scientists, in the same tool.
- Limit: support goes through services partners, per its partners page.
- Limit: no public price to compare.
4. DataRobot: build, run and govern agents and models
DataRobot’s home page speaks of a platform “built for outcomes” for AI agents. Its platform page names AI operators, ML engineers, data scientists, analysts and developers, and states SaaS, VPC or on-premises deployment. The pages we read publish no prices.
- Strength: the choice of deployment, up to on-premises.
- Limit: a platform designed for teams that build and govern agents and models.
- Limit: no public price to compare.
Our recommendation by case
- One specific project (forecast, classification, agent) to deliver fast, without an in-house data team: a forward deployed agency.
- A data team that builds and runs many projects: a platform, Databricks, Dataiku or DataRobot depending on your data and your teams.
- Both: an agency starts the first project, then hands over to a team and a platform when the need grows.
Sources, consulted on 12 November 2026
Questions
Do I need a platform like Databricks or Dataiku for a machine learning project?
Not necessarily. A platform makes sense when a team builds and runs many data projects. For one specific project, an agency can build on your data and put it into production without you buying a platform.
What skills do these platforms require?
Their pages mention analysts, data scientists and engineers. Dataiku offers visual recipes and code, and Databricks mentions no-code interfaces for some uses. None of them quantifies the level required.
Does Saména do machine learning and data work?
Yes, besides agents: classification, forecasting, data pipelines, with the same loop: a working version on your data, tested by the people who use it, then adjusted.