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Oracle Big Data Service

oracle.com

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Spec score 7.5 #10 of 19 in Data Lake Software

What it is

Oracle Big Data Service is a managed cloud service for creating Hadoop-based data lakes that process large amounts of data. Its distribution includes Apache Hadoop, Ambari, HBase, Hive, Spark, and other services. Customers can build clusters with OCI compute shapes, from small development environments to large production clusters on dedicated hardware, and choose NVMe or block storage. Clusters can be resized; secure, high-availability clusters are an option. Oracle Cloud SQL queries data across Hadoop, Kafka, NoSQL, and object stores using Oracle SQL. The service also describes SparkR for working with HDFS, Spark DataFrames, and JDBC sources and building models in R. Access is available through the OCI Console, CLI, REST APIs, and SDKs. Block Volume data is encrypted at rest by default, and OCI IAM controls authentication and authorization. Oracle describes both short-lived clusters for specific tasks and long-running data lakes. The listed service fee is 0.02 USD per OCPU per hour; compute and storage charges apply separately. Oracle lists separate hourly rates for compute shapes and Cloud SQL. Clusters need release updates to remain current and supported.

Spec sheet

What it does
Oracle Big Data Service is a managed cloud service for creating Hadoop-based data lakes that process large amounts of data.Read 5 Oct 2026 · oracle.com
Trial
OCI offers a 30-day trial with $300 in credits for eligible services; the page does not specifically identify Big Data Service as eligible.Read 5 Oct 2026 · docs.oracle.com
Integrations
Oracle documents integrations with OCI Object Storage and Data Catalog; Cloud SQL also analyzes data across Hadoop, Kafka, NoSQL, and object stores.Read 5 Oct 2026 · docs.oracle.com
Security
Block Volume data used by Big Data Service is encrypted at rest by default, and OCI IAM controls authentication and authorization.Read 5 Oct 2026 · docs.oracle.com
Headquarters
Austin, Texas, USARead 28 Sep 2026 · oracle.com
Founded
1977Read 28 Sep 2026 · oracle.com
Access methods
Users can access the service through the browser-based OCI Console, OCI CLI, REST APIs, or SDKs.Read 5 Oct 2026 · docs.oracle.com
Cluster sizing
Customers can create clusters using OCI compute shapes, from small development clusters to large production clusters on dedicated hardware.Read 5 Oct 2026 · docs.oracle.com
Hadoop stack
The service includes Oracle Distribution including Apache Hadoop, with Apache Ambari, Hadoop, HBase, Hive, Spark, and other services.Read 5 Oct 2026 · docs.oracle.com
High availability
Secure, high-availability clusters are available as an option.Read 5 Oct 2026 · docs.oracle.com
Intended workloads
Oracle describes the service for short-lived clusters handling specific tasks as well as long-lived clusters managing large data lakes.Read 5 Oct 2026 · docs.oracle.com
Machine learning
The product page describes Oracle Machine Learning for SparkR for working with HDFS, Spark DataFrames, and JDBC sources, and building models in R.Read 5 Oct 2026 · oracle.com
Pricing detail
Oracle lists Big Data Service compute standard at $0.17614464, Dense I/O at $0.2804684, HPC at $0.20130816, and Cloud SQL at $0.1408895 per OCPU per hour.Read 5 Oct 2026 · oracle.com
SQL and data sources
Oracle Cloud SQL can query data in Hadoop, Kafka, NoSQL, and object stores using Oracle SQL.Read 5 Oct 2026 · docs.oracle.com
Storage options
The product page says customers can choose high-performance NVMe storage or lower-cost block storage and grow or shrink clusters.Read 5 Oct 2026 · oracle.com
Updates and support
Oracle says cluster release updates must be applied to keep Big Data Service clusters up to date and supported.Read 5 Oct 2026 · docs.oracle.com

Plans and prices

Oracle Big Data Service Priced on request OCPU per hour; Oracle’s pricing page lists this as the service fee. Compute shapes and Oracle Cloud SQL are priced separately. OCPU per hour · Compute and storage charges apply separately Read 5 Oct 2026 · oracle.com

Every Oracle Big Data Service plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Includes Hadoop, HBase, Hive, Spark, and Ambari.
  • Offers NVMe or block storage and adjustable clusters.
  • Cloud SQL queries Hadoop, Kafka, NoSQL, and object stores.
  • Block Volume data is encrypted at rest by default.

Limits

  • Compute and storage charges are separate from the service fee.
  • Clusters require release updates to remain supported.
  • No free plan is listed.

Who it suits

It suits organizations creating Hadoop data lakes, whether for specific short-lived tasks or ongoing data management. Teams can access it through a browser console, command-line interface, REST APIs, or SDKs.

Verdict

The service combines a Hadoop stack, multiple storage choices, and SQL access across several data sources. Account for separate compute and storage charges, and keep cluster releases updated to maintain support.

Where Specifiction places it

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