Gurobi Optimizer vs Timefold Platform
Gurobi Optimizer
gurobi.comTimefold Platform
timefold.aiSide by side
| Figure | Gurobi Optimizer | Timefold Platform |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | $3,000/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | — | Yes |
| Web | — | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | — |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 13 | 6 |
| Spec score · Prescriptive Analytics Software | 8.9 (#1) | 8.6 (#2) |
| Documentation depth | Documentation includes getting started material, examples, a reference manual, Remote Services, Instant Cloud, Intelligence Hub and open-source-extension guides. | Each model has getting-started guides, feature documentation, demo data and an OpenAPI specification interface. |
| Founded | 2008 | 2023 |
| Headquarters | Houston, Texas, United States | Sint-Pietersnieuwstraat 11, 9000 Ghent, Belgium |
| Integrations | Gurobi says teams can use its APIs, including its Python API, to build and deploy optimization models in applications, services, and data pipelines. | The REST API is designed to connect with enterprise systems such as ERPs, HRIS, CRMs, and field-service tools. |
| Purpose | Gurobi Optimizer converts mathematical models of business problems into optimal solutions. | Timefold Platform runs optimization models as a managed service through a REST API. |
| Security | Gurobi Remote Services supports authenticated Cluster Manager access, role-based access, and encrypted communication using TLS 1.2 or later. | Timefold says Cloud Platform data is encrypted at rest with AES-256 and encrypted in transit using HTTPS, SSL/TLS, and SSH. |
| Support | The commercial evaluation license includes technical guidance and support, benchmarking, and model tuning services. | The Horizon tier lists white-glove onboarding, a dedicated Slack channel, a dedicated optimization advisor, and 24/7 support. |
| What it does | Gurobi Optimizer formulates business problems as mathematical models and searches for optimal decisions. | Timefold Platform is a managed service that runs optimization models through REST APIs and provides tools for integrating, validating and improving planning solutions. |
Plans
Gurobi Optimizer
- Academic licenseFree
- Academic LicenseFree
- Commercial evaluation licenseFree
- Commercial Free TrialFree
- Size-limited licenseFree
- Commercial licensePriced on request
- Compute Server LicensePrice not published
- Floating LicensePrice not published
- Gurobi Instant CloudPrice not published
- Named User LicensePrice not published
Timefold Platform
- CommunityFree
- Scheduling and Routing Optimization$3,000 a month
- Enterprise SolverPriced on request
- FlowPriced on request
- HorizonPriced on request
- SparkPriced on request
In their own words
Gurobi Optimizer
Gurobi Optimizer converts mathematical models of business problems into optimal solutions. It handles linear, mixed integer, quadratic, combinatorial, nonlinear, conic, and multi-objective problems. For non-convex quadratic problems, its global optimization can prove a global optimum rather than only a local one. Solver capabilities include parallel and distributed optimization, presolve, cutting planes, heuristics, and symmetry handling. For model review, it provides sensitivity analysis, infeasibility analysis, feasibility relaxation, and solution quality attributes. APIs are available for C, C++, Java, .NET, Python, MATLAB, and R, enabling optimization models to be built into applications, services, and data pipelines. Deployment options include local, server, cloud, and container environments. Instant Cloud runs Gurobi on AWS or Azure without requiring users to deploy or maintain infrastructure. The included gurobipy license is for non-production use and limits models to 2,000 variables and 2,000 linear constraints, or 200 variables for models with quadratic terms. Free options also include a full-featured 30-day commercial evaluation license and an academic license for eligible institutions.
Timefold Platform
Timefold Platform runs optimization models as a managed service through a REST API, connecting planning workflows with systems such as ERPs, HRIS, CRMs, and field-service tools. Listed models cover Field Service Routing, Employee Shift Scheduling, Pick-up and Delivery Routing, and Task Scheduling. Routing tools provide pre-calculated distance and travel matrices and support static and dynamic traffic data. Real-time replanning accepts incremental updates, with revision tracking for rollbacks and comparisons. Results can be delivered by webhook, server-sent events, or polling. Deployment options include managed cloud and self-hosting; self-hosting is available on the Horizon tier. Timefold says its Cloud Platform encrypts data at rest with AES-256 and in transit using HTTPS, SSL/TLS, and SSH. It states ISO 27001:2022 certification, a SOC 2 Type 2 attestation, and GDPR support through a Data Processing Agreement. Pricing is on request, and a free trial is available. There is no free plan. Tenant data retention depends on the plan, and authoritative planning data should remain in customers’ own systems.