Software Alternatives & Startups

Apache Storm VS Apache Spark

Compare Apache Storm VS Apache Spark and see what are their differences

Apache Storm

Apache Storm is a free and open source distributed realtime computation system.

Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Open source
Apache Spark

Apache Spark is an engine for big data processing, with built-in modules for streaming, SQL, machine learning and graph processing.

Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Open source

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, Apache Spark should be more popular than Apache Storm. It has been mentioned 80 times since March 2021.

social mentions
11 vs 80
Big Data popularity
22% vs 78%
alternatives listed
113 vs 118

Base details

Website, pricing, platforms and company facts side by side.

Apache Storm
Apache Spark
Website storm.apache.org spark.apache.org
Pricing
Open source
Open source
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Apache Storm 5 features
Apache Spark 6 features
  • Real-Time Processing
    Apache Storm is designed for processing data in real-time, which makes it ideal for applications like fraud detection, recommendation systems, and monitoring tools.
  • Scalability
    Storm is capable of scaling horizontally, allowing it to handle increasing amounts of data by adding more nodes, making it suitable for large-scale applications.
  • Fault Tolerance
    Storm provides robust fault-tolerance mechanisms by rerouting tasks from failed nodes to operational ones, ensuring continuous processing.
  • Broad Language Support
    Apache Storm supports multiple programming languages, including Java, Python, and Ruby, allowing developers to use the language they are most comfortable with.
  • Open Source Community
    Being an Apache project, Storm benefits from a strong open-source community, which contributes to its development and offers abundant resources and support.

Possible disadvantages

  • Complex Setup
    Setting up and configuring Apache Storm can be complex and time-consuming, requiring detailed knowledge of its architecture and the underlying infrastructure.
  • High Learning Curve
    The architecture and components of Storm can be difficult for new users to grasp, leading to a steeper learning curve compared to some other streaming platforms.
  • Maintenance Overhead
    Managing and maintaining a Storm cluster can require significant effort, including monitoring, troubleshooting, and scaling the infrastructure.
  • Error Handling
    While Storm is fault-tolerant, its error handling at the application level can sometimes be challenging, requiring careful design to manage failures effectively.
  • Resource Intensive
    Storm can be resource-intensive, particularly in terms of memory and CPU usage, which can lead to increased costs and necessitate powerful hardware.
  • Speed
    Apache Spark processes data in-memory, significantly increasing the processing speed of data tasks compared to traditional disk-based engines.
  • Ease of Use
    Spark offers high-level APIs in Java, Scala, Python, and R, making it accessible to a broad range of developers and data scientists.
  • Advanced Analytics
    Spark supports advanced analytics, including machine learning, graph processing, and real-time streaming, which can be executed in the same application.
  • Scalability
    Spark can handle both small- and large-scale data processing tasks, scaling seamlessly from a single machine to thousands of servers.
  • Support for Various Data Sources
    Spark can integrate with a wide variety of data sources, including HDFS, Apache HBase, Apache Hive, Cassandra, and many others.
  • Active Community
    Spark has a vibrant and active community, providing a wealth of extensions, tools, and support options.

Possible disadvantages

  • Memory Consumption
    Spark's in-memory processing can be resource-intensive, requiring substantial amounts of RAM, which can drive up costs for large-scale deployments.
  • Complexity in Configuration
    To optimize performance, Spark requires careful configuration and tuning, which can be complex and time-consuming.
  • Learning Curve
    Despite its ease of use, mastering the full range of Spark's features and best practices can take considerable time and effort.
  • Latency for Small Data
    For smaller datasets or low-latency requirements, Spark might not be the most efficient choice, as other technologies could offer better performance.
  • Integration Overhead
    Though Spark integrates with many systems, incorporating it into an existing data infrastructure can introduce additional overhead and complexity.
  • Community Support Variability
    While the community is active, the support and quality of third-party libraries and tools can be inconsistent, leading to potential challenges in implementation.

Analysis

An editorial look at what each product does well and who it suits.

Apache Storm
Apache Spark

No analysis of Apache Storm yet.

Overall verdict

  • Yes, Apache Spark is generally considered good, especially for organizations and individuals that require efficient and fast data processing capabilities. It is well-supported, frequently updated, and widely adopted in the industry, making it a reliable choice for big data solutions.

Why this product is good

  • Apache Spark is highly valued because it provides a fast and general-purpose cluster-computing framework for big data processing. It offers extensive libraries for SQL, streaming, machine learning, and graph processing, making it versatile for various data processing needs. Its in-memory computing capability boosts the processing speed significantly compared to traditional disk-based processing. Additionally, Spark integrates well with Hadoop and other big data tools, providing a seamless ecosystem for large-scale data analysis.

Recommended for

  • Data scientists and engineers working with large datasets.
  • Organizations leveraging machine learning and analytics for decision-making.
  • Businesses needing real-time data processing capabilities.
  • Developers looking to integrate with Hadoop ecosystems.
  • Teams requiring robust support for multiple data sources and formats.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

Apache Storm 3 videos + Add
Apache Spark 3 videos + Add

Apache Storm Tutorial For Beginners | Apache Storm Training | Apache Storm Example | Edureka

More videos

  • - Developing Java Streaming Applications with Apache Storm
  • - Atom Text Editor Option - Real-Time Analytics with Apache Storm

Weekly Apache Spark live Code Review -- look at StringIndexer multi-col (Scala) & Python testing

More videos

  • - What's New in Apache Spark 3.0.0
  • - Apache Spark for Data Engineering and Analysis - Overview

Category popularity

How often each product is chosen within a category, 0–100% relative to the other.

Score bands 0–20 21–40 41–50 51–60 61–100
Apache Storm
Apache Spark
22% 22%
78% 78%
10% 10%
90% 90%
43% 43%
57% 57%
100% 100%
0% 0%

User comments

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Reviews and articles

External articles and on-site reviews we used to compare the two products.

Apache Storm no reviews yet
Apache Spark no reviews yet

Social recommendations and mentions

Recommendations tracked on public social media and blogs since March 2021.

Apache Storm 11 mentions
Apache Spark 80 mentions

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Alternatives to Apache Storm and Apache Spark

When comparing Apache Storm and Apache Spark, you can also consider the following products.