Apache Spark
- Android app
- Not listed
- Free plan
- Yes
- Runs on
- api, Linux, Mac, self-hosted, Windows
Summary
Apache Spark is a free, open-source engine for large-scale data analytics. It handles batch workloads and real-time streams with Python, SQL, Scala, Java, or R. Spark SQL runs distributed ANSI SQL queries across structured tables and unstructured formats such as JSON or images; MLlib supplies machine-learning algorithms for local use or cluster scale. The project also describes exploratory analysis at petabyte scale without downsampling. Its ecosystem includes pandas, TensorFlow, PyTorch, scikit-learn, Apache Kafka, Kubernetes, Delta Lake, and Apache Iceberg. Deployment choices include standalone, Hadoop YARN, and Kubernetes. Spark runs on Windows, Linux, and macOS when a supported Java version is available. The 4.2.0 documentation lists Java 17, 21, or 25, Scala 2.13, Python 3.10+, and R 4.0+ (deprecated). Spark Connect enables remote client-to-cluster connectivity. Security features are not enabled by default, though TLS is supported for RPC and temporary local-disk data can be encrypted. The project is licensed under Apache License, Version 2.0.
Who it is for
Spark suits teams working with large-scale batch or streaming analytics, SQL, or machine-learning workloads. It can fit environments using the listed languages, platforms, and deployment options.
What is good
- Free, open-source analytics engine.
- Processes batch data and real-time streams.
- MLlib algorithms can scale from local use to clusters.
- Supports several deployment options, including Kubernetes.
- Spark Connect supports remote connectivity.
What to know first
- Security features are not enabled by default.
- R 4.0+ is listed as deprecated.
- Requires a supported Java version.
Verdict
Apache Spark brings data processing, SQL, and machine-learning capabilities into one engine, with multiple deployment choices. Review its runtime requirements and plan security configuration before deployment.
Apache Spark plans and pricing
All plansCompared on streaming analytics software
- Free plan
- Yesspark.apache.org
- Deployment
- self_hostedspark.apache.org
- Transformation mode
- mixedspark.apache.org
- Incremental loading
- Yesspark.apache.org
- Change data capture
- Yesspark.apache.org
- Custom code transforms
- Yesspark.apache.org
Facts
- Purpose
- Apache Spark is a unified engine for large-scale data analytics.spark.apache.org · 30 Sept 2026
- Batch and streaming
- Spark processes data in batches and real-time streams using Python, SQL, Scala, Java, or R.spark.apache.org · 30 Sept 2026
- SQL
- Spark SQL executes distributed ANSI SQL queries and supports structured tables and unstructured data such as JSON or images.spark.apache.org · 30 Sept 2026
- Machine learning
- MLlib provides machine-learning algorithms that can run locally and scale to clusters.spark.apache.org · 30 Sept 2026
- Data science
- The project says Spark supports exploratory data analysis on petabyte-scale data without downsampling.spark.apache.org · 30 Sept 2026
- Integrations
- The listed ecosystem includes pandas, TensorFlow, PyTorch, scikit-learn, Apache Kafka, Kubernetes, Delta Lake, and Apache Iceberg.spark.apache.org · 30 Sept 2026
- Operating systems
- Spark runs on Windows and UNIX-like systems, including Linux and macOS, where a supported Java version is available.spark.apache.org · 30 Sept 2026
- Client connectivity
- Spark Connect separates client applications from Spark clusters and supports remote connectivity.spark.apache.org · 30 Sept 2026
- Security
- Security features such as authentication are not enabled by default, and the documentation says deployments are not secure by default.spark.apache.org · 30 Sept 2026
- Encryption
- Spark supports TLS encryption for RPC connections and encryption of temporary data written to local disks.spark.apache.org · 30 Sept 2026
- Support
- The project directs users to mailing lists and community resources for help.spark.apache.org · 30 Sept 2026
- Release and runtime requirements
- The 4.2.0 documentation lists Java 17, 21, or 25, Scala 2.13, Python 3.10+, and R 4.0+ (deprecated).spark.apache.org · 30 Sept 2026
- License
- The project website states Apache Spark is licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0.spark.apache.org · 30 Sept 2026
Company
- Founded
- 2009spark.apache.org · 28 Sept 2026
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Sources
- spark.apache.org· checked 30 Sept 2026
- spark.apache.org/docs/latest/· checked 30 Sept 2026
- spark.apache.org/docs/latest/security.html· checked 30 Sept 2026
- spark.apache.org/downloads.html· checked 30 Sept 2026