MLRun vs Amazon SageMaker: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between MLRun and Amazon SageMaker comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
By Toolradar Team · Last updated February 28, 2026 · Methodology
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
MLRun
Open-source MLOps orchestration for managing ML and generative AI applications across their lifecycle.
Best for you if:
- • You need something completely free
- • Automates the entire ML and Gen AI lifecycle from development to production.
- • Provides scalable real-time serving and application pipelines with built-in observability.
Amazon SageMaker
Build, train, and deploy ML models at scale on AWS
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.8/10 vs 0.0/10)
- • Amazon SageMaker is a fully managed platform for building, training, and deploying machine learning models
- • It provides notebooks, training infrastructure, and one-click deployment with built-in algorithms
| At a Glance |  MLRun |  Amazon SageMaker |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free | Paid |
Best For | ETL & Data Pipelines | ETL & Data Pipelines |
Rating | —/100 | 88/100 |
| Feature | MLRun | Amazon SageMaker |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Paid |
| Editorial Score | — | 88 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | ETL & Data PipelinesAI Model Deployment | ETL & Data PipelinesAI Model Deployment |
How MLRun and Amazon SageMaker Compare
MLRun
Open-source MLOps orchestration for managing ML and generative AI applications across their lifecycle.
Free
Amazon SageMaker
Build, train, and deploy ML models at scale on AWS
Paid · 88/100 score
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
MLRun is free. Amazon SageMaker is paid.
Go with: MLRun
Want the highest-rated option?
Amazon SageMaker scores 88/100. MLRun is unrated.
Go with: Amazon SageMaker
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Amazon SageMaker
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
MLRun is free. Amazon SageMaker is paid. Go with MLRun if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Both are etl & data pipelines tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Not all tools have been rated yet.
Key Takeaways
Amazon SageMaker
- Higher score: 88/100 vs unrated
- Our pick for this comparison
MLRun
- Completely free
The Bottom Line
Amazon SageMaker (88/100) is our pick. That said, MLRun is free — hard to beat on price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is MLRun or Amazon SageMaker better?
Amazon SageMaker scores 88/100 in our evaluation. MLRun is free and Amazon SageMaker is paid.
What are MLRun and Amazon SageMaker used for?
MLRun: Open-source MLOps orchestration for managing ML and generative AI applications across their lifecycle.. Amazon SageMaker: Build, train, and deploy ML models at scale on AWS.
What does MLRun cost vs Amazon SageMaker?
MLRun is completely free. Amazon SageMaker is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.