Software · head to head
Apache Superset vs Redash
Apache Superset
Software
Modern data exploration and visualization platform
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
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.; Redash a basic self-hosted deployment needs a minimum of 4GB of RAM, and more RAM and CPU as background workers and API processes grow
- They diverge on capability: Apache Superset covers 40+ Visualizations, Redash covers SQL Query Editor.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Apache Superset and Redash actually diverge.
| Attribute | Apache Superset | Redash |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | open-source | freemium |
| Platforms | Web, Self-hosted, Docker | Web, Self-hosted, Cloud |
| Founded | 1999 | 2013 |
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
- Druid
- ClickHouse
- Snowflake
Only in Redash
- SQL Query Editor
- Multiple Data Sources
- Visualizations
- Dashboards
- Alerts
- BigQuery
- Redshift
- MongoDB
Both cover
- PostgreSQL
- MySQL
- Presto
- 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 Redash
- Data explorationnot Redash
- Ad-hoc reportingnot Redash
- Collaborative analysisnot Redash
- Embedded analyticsnot Redash
Redash
- Self-hosted SQL query editor and dashboarding over existing databasesnot Apache Superset
- Sharing scheduled query results with a team without buying a BI licencenot 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.
Redash
- A basic self-hosted deployment needs a minimum of 4GB of RAM, and more RAM and CPU as background workers and API processes grow
- The official Docker images were not updated for V10, so the documented route is to deploy a V8 instance and then upgrade it
- Anyone not using a provided cloud image has to configure the environment variables and secrets by hand
Pricing, plan by plan
Apache Superset
Free- Open SourceFree
- Full Features
- Self-hosted
- Community Support
Redash
Free- Open SourceFree
- Full Features
- Self-hosted
- Community Support
- Cloud$49/month
- Managed Hosting
- Automatic Updates
- Support
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.
Choose Redash if
- You need sql query editor.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, Self-hosted, Cloud.
- You also want multiple data sources.
Questions people ask
- Is Apache Superset or Redash better?
- Neither clearly leads. Apache Superset starts at Free and Redash at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Apache Superset or Redash?
- Apache Superset starts at Free and Redash at Free.
- Does Apache Superset or Redash run on more platforms?
- Apache Superset runs on Web, Self-hosted, Docker. Redash 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 Redash is typically brought in for.
- What can Apache Superset do that Redash cannot?
- Apache Superset covers 40+ Visualizations, SQL IDE, Semantic Layer, Caching. Redash covers SQL Query Editor, Multiple Data Sources, Visualizations, Dashboards. Both handle PostgreSQL, MySQL, Presto, Web support.