Alteryx vs. KNIME: 2025 Pricing & Feature Comparison

If you’re reading this, you’re likely trying to decide between Alteryx and KNIME, two of the biggest names in data transformation, automation, and analytics. 

Both tools promise powerful capabilities, but choosing between them isn’t straightforward.

Maybe you’re wondering:

• Which one is easier to use?
• Which offers the best value for money?
• Will either tool fit your team’s needs without adding unnecessary complexity?

We get it. We’ve seen companies struggle with this choice, and we’ve also seen plenty of teams switch from Alteryx and KNIME to Mammoth: our modern alternative that solves many of their frustrations.

In this article, we’re going beyond the usual feature lists. We’ll break down what really matters when choosing between these platforms, where they excel, where they fall short, and when you might be better off with something different altogether.

Let’s dive in.

Quick Comparison: Alteryx vs. KNIME vs. Mammoth

Before diving deep, let’s get straight to the core differences between these tools. 

If you’re short on time, here’s how they stack up at a glance:

Key Takeaways at a Glance

1. Alteryx is powerful but expensive and complex, requiring licenses per user and heavy IT involvement.
2. KNIME is more flexible and open-source-friendly, but it comes with a steep learning curve and unclear enterprise pricing.
3. Mammoth was built as an alternative for teams frustrated with both—cloud-based, simple to use, and cost-effective.

If you already know what you want in a tool, this comparison table should give you an idea of which direction to go. 

But if you’re still unsure, let’s break it down further, starting with Alteryx.

Alteryx: Solid, But Pricey and Complex

Alteryx has been a dominant player in the data analytics and automation space for years. 

It’s known for its powerful automation, machine learning, and analytics tools. But, it comes at a cost. Literally.

While large enterprises often love Alteryx for its robust features, we’ve seen many teams struggle with its high price, steep learning curve, and IT-heavy setup. 

Here’s what you need to know.

What’s Good About Alteryx

• Advanced Data Automation & Analytics – Alteryx is packed with ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) capabilities, automation, and machine learning tools, making it a strong choice for technical teams.
• No-Code Workflows (Kind Of) – While Alteryx markets itself as a low-code/no-code platform, the reality is that it still requires a significant learning curve. Once mastered, though, it can handle some very complex workflows.
• Strong Enterprise Integrations – Alteryx plays well with large enterprise systems, supporting multiple databases, APIs, and cloud storage solutions.

What’s Not So Great About Alteryx

• Very Expensive – One of the biggest reasons teams start looking for Alteryx alternatives is its per-user pricing model. The base license starts in the thousands per user per year, and enterprise deployments get even pricier. If you need automation and machine learning features, you’ll likely have to pay for expensive add-ons.
• Steep Learning Curve – While it’s technically a “no-code” tool, Alteryx has a complex interface and a lot of moving parts. Many teams end up needing dedicated training or even hiring Alteryx specialists to get the most out of it.
• IT-Heavy Deployment – Alteryx is not truly cloud-native. It still requires desktop installation and server setup to work at scale. If you want cloud functionality, you’ll need to pay extra for Alteryx Server.

Who Alteryx is Best For

• Large enterprises with big budgets that can afford high licensing costs.
• Teams with dedicated IT support to handle deployment and training.
• Organizations needing advanced automation and machine learning at scale.

When Alteryx Might Not Be the Best Choice

• If you’re a mid-sized business or startup looking for an affordable, easy-to-use solution, Alteryx might be overkill.
• If you don’t want to deal with per-user pricing or server installations, it can feel unnecessarily complex.
• If you need something truly cloud-based and simpler, there are better options (we’ll get to that soon).

Next, let’s look at KNIME, Alteryx’s biggest competitor. and see how it compares.

KNIME: Open-Source Flexibility, But Not for Everyone

KNIME (Konstanz Information Miner) is a popular open-source data analytics and automation platform that directly competes with Alteryx. 

It’s widely used by data scientists, engineers, and technically skilled teams who need a customizable tool without the high costs of Alteryx.

At first glance, KNIME seems like the obvious winner if you want a free alternative to Alteryx. 

But, there’s a catch. 

While KNIME is flexible, it isn’t as user-friendly as it claims, and when you scale up to enterprise features, costs and complexity increase quickly.

What’s Good About KNIME

• Free & Open-Source – Unlike Alteryx, KNIME offers a free version with robust data processing and analytics capabilities, making it appealing for teams on a budget.
• Highly Customizable – KNIME allows users to build complex, tailored workflows using drag-and-drop nodes, scripting (Python, R), and integration with other open-source tools like TensorFlow and Apache Spark.
• Strong Data Science & Machine Learning Capabilities – KNIME stands out in AI, machine learning, and predictive analytics, making it a strong contender for advanced data teams.

What’s Not So Great About KNIME

• Steep Learning Curve – KNIME requires significant technical expertise. While it has a visual interface, many workflows need scripting knowledge, and the UI isn’t as polished as premium tools.
• Not Truly Free at Scale – The free version is great for individual users, but when you need advanced automation, collaboration, and enterprise features, KNIME Server costs ramp up quickly. The pricing model isn’t as transparent as it should be, either.
• Interface Can Feel Clunky – Compared to Alteryx and more modern tools, KNIME’s UI feels outdated and unintuitive, especially for business users who aren’t data scientists.

Who KNIME is Best For

• Data scientists and engineers who are comfortable with scripting and technical tools.
• Small teams or individuals who want powerful data analytics without upfront costs.
• Users who prioritize flexibility and open-source over ease of use.

When KNIME Might Not Be the Best Choice

• If you need a truly easy-to-use, no-code solution, KNIME’s complexity might slow you down.
• If you want a modern, polished UI, KNIME can feel outdated and clunky.
• If you think KNIME is “free” for teams, be prepared for costs to add up when you need enterprise features.

Now that we’ve covered both Alteryx and KNIME, let’s talk about why so many teams end up looking for a third option. And how Mammoth solves the biggest frustrations with both.

Why Mammoth Might Be a Better Fit

By now, you’ve probably noticed a pattern: Alteryx is powerful but expensive and complex, while KNIME is free but difficult to use at scale.

This is exactly why so many teams end up searching for a third option. One that balances power, ease of use, and cost-effectiveness. 

That’s where Mammoth comes in.

Mammoth was built for teams that need data harmonization, automation, preparation, and transformation without the headaches of legacy tools. No steep learning curve, no IT-heavy setup, and no per-user pricing.

Why Teams Are Switching to Mammoth

• No Per-User Licenses – Alteryx’s pricing punishes growing teams. With Mammoth, you pay for what you use, not per seat.
• Truly Cloud-Based – Unlike Alteryx and KNIME, Mammoth requires no desktop installations or server setups. It just works.
• Actually Easy to Use – Mammoth is built with business users and analysts in mind. No scripting, no training courses—just drag, drop, and automate.
• Transparent Pricing – No hidden enterprise costs or complex licensing models. Simple, predictable, and fair.
• Fast Implementation – While Alteryx and KNIME can take weeks (or months) to get up and running, Mammoth is plug-and-play.

Who Mammoth is Best For

• Mid-sized teams and growing businesses that need a powerful, yet simple solution.
• Teams frustrated by Alteryx’s cost and KNIME’s complexity.
• Anyone who wants a modern, cloud-based data transformation tool that “just works.”

When Mammoth Might Not Be the Best Choice

• If you’re an enterprise with a dedicated IT team and an unlimited budget, Alteryx might still be a strong fit.
• If you’re a data scientist who loves scripting and open-source tools, KNIME may give you the flexibility you need.
• If you prefer desktop software over cloud-based solutions, Mammoth may not match your needs.

But for everyone else? Mammoth is the data automation tool that makes life easier.

Now, let’s wrap this up with a clear decision framework: Which tool should you actually choose?

Conclusion: Which Tool Should You Choose?

Now that we’ve broken everything down, let’s make the decision simple.

Choose Alteryx if…

• You work at a large enterprise with a big budget.
• You have a dedicated IT team to handle deployment and training.
• You need powerful automation and machine learning tools, and cost isn’t an issue.

Choose KNIME if…

• You’re a data scientist or engineer who wants open-source flexibility.
• You don’t mind a steep learning curve in exchange for customization.
• You’re okay with an older UI and some scripting to get things working.

Choose Mammoth if…

• You want data automation that’s actually easy to use (without training or coding).
• You need transparent, fair pricing. Not per-user licenses or surprise enterprise fees.
• You’re looking for a modern, cloud-based tool that works out of the box with fast implementation.

If you’ve struggled with Alteryx’s complexity or KNIME’s clunkiness, Mammoth was built for you.

The best way to see if Mammoth is the right fit? Try it yourself.

🚀 Start a free trial – no credit card, no commitment.

Let’s make data automation simple, fast, and affordable for all.