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Software · head to head

Apache Superset vs Metabase

Apache Superset logo

Apache Superset

Software

Modern data exploration and visualization platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Metabase logo

Metabase

Software

Fast analytics with the friendly UX

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Apache Superset distributed under Apache License 2.0 with no official vendor-hosted SaaS; deploying it requires self-managed infrastructure since the Apache Software Foundation does not sell a managed offering.; Metabase row and column level permissions and SSO available only in Pro tier and above
  • They diverge on capability: Apache Superset covers 40+ Visualizations, Metabase covers No-code Query Builder.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Apache Superset and Metabase actually diverge.

Attributes where Apache Superset and Metabase differ
AttributeApache SupersetMetabase
Pricing modelopen-sourceUnknown
PlatformsWeb, Self-hosted, DockerWeb, Self-hosted cloud
Founded19992014

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Apache Superset

  • 40+ Visualizations
  • SQL IDE
  • Semantic Layer
  • Caching
  • Security
  • Presto
  • Druid
  • ClickHouse

Only in Metabase

  • No-code Query Builder
  • SQL Editor
  • Interactive Dashboards
  • Alerts
  • Embedding
  • MongoDB
  • BigQuery
  • Redshift

Both cover

  • PostgreSQL
  • MySQL
  • Snowflake
  • Web support
  • Self-hosted support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Apache Superset

  • Self-service analyticsnot Metabase
  • Data explorationnot Metabase
  • Ad-hoc reportingnot Metabase
  • Collaborative analysisnot Metabase
  • Embedded analyticsnot Metabase

Metabase

  • Business intelligence and data exploration for non-technical usersnot Apache Superset
  • Embedded analytics for SaaS applicationsnot Apache Superset
  • Self-service reporting and dashboard creationnot Apache Superset
  • Integration with 40+ data sources including cloud warehousesnot Apache Superset

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Apache Superset

  • Distributed under Apache License 2.0 with no official vendor-hosted SaaS; deploying it requires self-managed infrastructure since the Apache Software Foundation does not sell a managed offering.

Metabase

  • Row and column level permissions and SSO available only in Pro tier and above
  • Advanced analytics features like multi-tenant embedded analytics require Pro tier or higher
  • AI-powered features incur additional usage-based costs: $3.75 per 1M tokens
  • Self-hosted deployment on Free/Open Source tier requires infrastructure management

Pricing, plan by plan

Apache Superset

Free
  • Open SourceFree
    • Full Features
    • Self-hosted
    • Community Support

Metabase

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Metabase review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Apache Superset if

  • You need 40+ visualizations.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Self-hosted, Docker.
  • You also want sql ide.
Apache Superset review

Choose Metabase if

  • You need no-code query builder.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Self-hosted cloud.
  • You also want sql editor.
Metabase review

Questions people ask

Is Apache Superset or Metabase better?
Neither clearly leads. Apache Superset starts at Free and Metabase at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Apache Superset or Metabase?
Apache Superset starts at Free and Metabase at Free.
Does Apache Superset or Metabase run on more platforms?
Apache Superset runs on Web, Self-hosted, Docker. Metabase runs on Web, Self-hosted cloud.
Can I use Apache Superset for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Apache Superset best used for?
Apache Superset is most often used for self-service analytics, data exploration, ad-hoc reporting, collaborative analysis. Of those, self-service analytics and data exploration are not what Metabase is typically brought in for.
What can Apache Superset do that Metabase cannot?
Apache Superset covers 40+ Visualizations, SQL IDE, Semantic Layer, Caching. Metabase covers No-code Query Builder, SQL Editor, Interactive Dashboards, Alerts. Both handle PostgreSQL, MySQL, Snowflake, Web support.
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