Databricks Managed Tables vs External Tables Pros and Cons

Nnaemezue Obi-Eyisi
2 min readSep 27, 2024

Advantages of Databricks Managed Tables:

Simplified Management: Managed tables automatically handle data storage and lifecycle, eliminating the need to specify external directory paths when defining Delta tables. This reduces manual effort and simplifies the process.

Data Security: With managed tables, Databricks ensures consistent security policies, including encryption and access control, helping you maintain a secure environment effortlessly.

Data Lineage: Managed tables capture comprehensive lineage information, which enhances observability and provides advanced metrics for better data governance and auditing.

Optimized Performance: These tables seamlessly integrate with Databricks’ optimization features, such as predictive optimization, resulting in better performance for queries and data processing.

Automated Data File Management: Managed tables offer features like automated backups, 30-day restore options for dropped tables, and customizable automatic vacuuming based on thresholds, ensuring data reliability and simplifying maintenance.

However, there are some drawbacks:

Disadvantages of Managed Tables

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Nnaemezue Obi-Eyisi
Nnaemezue Obi-Eyisi

Written by Nnaemezue Obi-Eyisi

I am passionate about empowering, educating, and encouraging individuals pursuing a career in data engineering. Currently a Senior Data Engineer at Capgemini

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