Data Pipelines

Tablecloth

A dataframe grammar inspired by R libraries for tech.ml.dataset.

Status
Generally available
Last checked
Aging · Sep 4, 2026
License
Open source
Pricing
Free tier · from $0
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What it is

Tablecloth is a dataframe grammar that wraps around tech.ml.dataset and draws inspiration from several R libraries, providing a powerful toolset for data manipulation and analysis in Clojure.

Tablecloth stands out by offering a dataframe grammar inspired by R libraries within the Clojure ecosystem, providing a unique blend of functional programming and powerful data manipulation capabilities.

When it fits — and when it doesn’t

A good fit for

  • Clojure developers working with large datasets who need a powerful dataframe manipulation tool inspired by R libraries.

  • Data analysts looking to leverage the functional programming capabilities of Clojure in their data analysis workflows.

Look elsewhere if

  • Developers primarily using languages other than Clojure, as Tablecloth is tightly integrated with Clojure's ecosystem.

  • Teams requiring real-time streaming data processing, as Tablecloth focuses on batch operations.

Known weaknesses

Each one links to the public issue, changelog or docs page it came from, where we have one.

  1. 01

    Limited language support

    Tablecloth is primarily designed for Clojure, limiting its usability for developers proficient in other languages.

  2. 02

    Small community and limited documentation

    The open-source project has a relatively small contributor base and lacks comprehensive documentation, making it harder to find support or examples online.

  3. 03

    Performance overhead due to Clojure's JVM nature

    Data manipulation tasks may be slower compared to similar tools in languages that compile directly to machine code or use a more optimized runtime environment.

  4. 04

    Complex setup for new users

    Setting up the development environment and integrating Tablecloth with existing Clojure projects can be challenging for beginners due to its dependency on tech.ml.dataset and other libraries.

What it does well

  • Inspired by R libraries, providing a familiar interface for data manipulation.

  • Wraps around tech.ml.dataset to offer advanced dataframe operations.

  • Designed with Clojure's functional programming paradigm in mind.

Pricing

Free tier
YesOpen source — free to use
Paid from
$0
Model
Flat rate
Enterprise plan
No

Pricing not independently confirmed — check the vendor’s page.

Performance benchmarks

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Set up Tablecloth

Setup steps, common gotchas and what to check after 30 days.

Open the setup guide →