Executive SummaryUpdated on May 21, 2025
Apache Spark and AWS Fargate compete in large-scale data processing and cloud management arenas. While both offer compelling features, Apache Spark has the edge in handling big data through its in-memory processing capabilities, whereas AWS Fargate streamlines container management without infrastructure hassles.
Features: Apache Spark offers large-scale data processing with tools such as Spark Streaming for real-time event-driven applications, Spark SQL for low-cost data analysis, and MLlib for machine learning. Its strengths lie in fast performance, scalability, and extensive AI connectors. AWS Fargate simplifies container management by eliminating infrastructure management, providing easy integration with AWS services, and offering a user-friendly pay-as-you-go model.
Room for Improvement: Apache Spark users seek better scalability in real-time workflows, improved documentation, enhanced integration with BI tools, and more robust memory management. AWS Fargate could improve by simplifying dynamic scaling configurations, enhancing cost management features, and providing comprehensive setup documentation.
Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Apache Spark can be deployed on-premises, in hybrid, or cloud environments, backed by community and optional paid support through Connectors like Cloudera. Customer service largely depends on community engagement. AWS Fargate is a cloud-native solution focusing on ease of use, supported by AWS's robust customer service, which offers direct technical assistance often unavailable in open-source platforms.
Pricing and ROI: Apache Spark is open-source with free use unless paired with products like Cloudera, potentially incurring infrastructure and operational costs. Its long-term efficiencies can translate to significant savings. AWS Fargate uses a pay-as-you-go model, often more costly than some AWS services, but justifies the expense by reducing the complexity of deployment and application management, aligning with varying scaling needs.
To learn more, read our detailed
AWS Fargate vs. Apache Spark Report (Updated: July 2025).
