When I started working with data, I was uncertain about where to go for datasets that I could use for practicing data analysis or building dashboards or machine learning models – either for practice or for research. Whether you’re a data scientist, analyst, or a student, having access to high-quality datasets is important for your projects. The good news is that there are a number of platforms that offer free datasets. In this post, we’ll explore five of the best free places to find datasets that you for use in machine learning, AI, or data analysis.
1. Kaggle Datasets
Kaggle is one of the most popular platforms for data science competitions, and it also offers a vast collection of free datasets. The datasets range from simple CSV files to large, complex databases. Kaggle allows users to search by category, dataset size, and the most relevant datasets for specific tasks.
Why Choose Kaggle?
- Large variety of datasets
- Community-driven with discussions and notebooks
- Easy to download and use
2. Google Dataset Search
Google Dataset Search is like Google’s standard search engine, but specifically for datasets. This tool indexes datasets from various sources, including government databases, research institutions, and data publishers. It’s an excellent resource for finding datasets in various domains, from healthcare to finance.
Why Choose Google Dataset Search?
- Comprehensive search capabilities
- Aggregates data from multiple sources
- User-friendly interface
Link: Google Dataset Search
3. UCI Machine Learning Repository
The University of California, Irvine (UCI) Machine Learning Repository is one of the oldest and most popular sources for machine learning datasets. It offers a wide range of datasets that are particularly useful for teaching, research, and experimentation in machine learning.
Why Choose UCI Machine Learning Repository?
- Trusted by the academic community
- Variety of dataset types and sizes
- Simple download process
Link: UCI Machine Learning Repository
4. Registry of Open Data on AWS
Amazon Web Services (AWS) offers a collection of public datasets that are hosted on their cloud platform. These datasets are available for free and cover a broad spectrum of industries, including genomics, satellite imagery, and machine learning. The datasets are accessible through their associated GitHub page and via the AWS Data Exchange.
Why Choose AWS Public Datasets?
- Hosted on the cloud for easy access and integration
- Large-scale datasets
- Updated regularly
Link: Registry of Open Data on AWS
5. Data.gov
Data.gov is the U.S. government’s open data portal, providing access to thousands of datasets collected by federal agencies. It’s an outstanding resource for datasets related to government operations, climate data, and public health.
Why Choose Data.gov?
- Extensive collection of government data
- Ideal for policy research and public interest projects
- Regularly updated with new datasets
Link: Data.gov
Conclusion
These five resources provide a wealth of free datasets for any data project. Whether you’re looking to build a machine learning model, analyze social trends, or need some practice data, or following along with our Learning Python series, these platforms should get you what you need.