Starburst vs Smartly: Which AI Journal tool is Best in 2025?

All these tools Starburst , Smartly offer flexible pricing models suitable for Software Developers seeking AI-powered solutions to enhance their AI Journal efforts.

Starburst

Starting from
$0.50/credit
Pricing Model:
  • Free - $0
  • Pro - $0.50/credit
  • Enterprise - $0.75/credit
  • Mission-Critical - $1.00/credit

Smartly

Starting from
custom

These AI tools are among the best AI Journal tools available in 2026. For Software Developers, tools like Starburst , Smartly help streamline the AI Journal process by offering AI-powered features.

What is Starburst?

Starburst, founded in 2017 by Justin Borgman, Matt Fuller, and Martin Traverso in Boston, Massachusetts, is a cutting-edge data lake analytics platform for AI built on open-source Trino. Designed to unify, govern, and analyze data across cloud, on-premises, and hybrid environments, Starburst empowers enterprises like Comcast, HSBC, and Verizon to access over 50 petabytes of data with 10x faster query performance. With $414 million in funding, Starburst’s AI-driven data platform for enterprises supports 400 million+ AI queries, offering a fully managed cloud solution and self-managed Enterprise edition. It's open data lakehouse architecture eliminates costly migrations, making it a leader in scalable analytics.

What is Smartly?

Smartly, founded in 2013 by Kristo Ovaska and Tuomo Riekko in Helsinki, Finland, is a cutting-edge AI-powered advertising platform for performance that unifies creative, media, and analytics to streamline digital advertising. Managing over $5 billion in ad spend for 700+ brands like Nike and Uber, Smartly leverages generative AI to produce 1 billion creative variants daily, enhancing campaigns across Meta, TikTok, Google, and more. Its cross-channel ad automation for brands delivers 3.3x faster campaign setup and up to 5.5x return on ad spend, making it a top choice for enterprise-level marketing.

Starburst
(4.6/5)
  • Accuracy and Reliability:
    4.7
  • Cost-Efficiency:
    4.6
  • Customization and Flexibility:
    4.8
  • Data Privacy and Security:
    4.7
  • Ease of Use:
    4.5
  • Functionality and Features:
    4.4
  • Integration Capabilities:
    4.3
  • Performance and Speed:
    4.5
  • Support and Resources:
    4.8
Smartly
(4.5/5)
  • Accuracy and Reliability:
    4.6
  • Cost-Efficiency:
    4.5
  • Customization and Flexibility:
    4.8
  • Data Privacy and Security:
    4.7
  • Ease of Use:
    4.6
  • Functionality and Features:
    4.4
  • Integration Capabilities:
    4.2
  • Performance and Speed:
    4.3
  • Support and Resources:
    4.8
Starburst
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Smartly
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Starburst

Pros

10x faster queries with Warp Speed.

50+ data source connectors.

Free Galaxy trial with $500 credits.

Open architecture supports Iceberg

Delta Lake.

Strong RBAC/ABAC governance.

Cons

Complex setups need expertise.

Enterprise pricing lacks transparency.

Third-party connector security concerns.

Occasional support delays.

Smartly

Pros

3.3x faster campaign setup.

5.5x ROAS with predictive AI.

Seamless Meta and TikTok integrations.

1 billion daily creative variants.

28% lower CPA with analytics.

Cons

Steep learning curve for beginners.

Slow chat support response.

1 billion daily creative variants.

28% lower CPA with analytics.

If you're looking for other AI Journal tools for Software Developers, you can also explore Jots, which are highly rated in 2025.

Starburst
  • Starburst
  • Boston, Massachusetts
Smartly
  • Smartly
  • Helsinki, Finland