Software · head to head
Budibase vs Apache Superset
Apache Superset
Software
Modern data exploration and visualization platform
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Budibase cloud plans are metered on automation actions, from 5,000 a month on Pro to 250,000 on Business; 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.
- They diverge on capability: Budibase covers Drag-and-drop builder, Apache Superset covers 40+ Visualizations.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Budibase and Apache Superset actually diverge.
| Attribute | Budibase | Apache Superset |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Web, Self-hosted | Web, Self-hosted, Docker |
| Founded | 2019 | 1999 |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (open-source), 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 Budibase
- Drag-and-drop builder
- Database design
- REST API
- User management
- Custom code
- Workflows
- Responsive design
- 100+ integrations
Only in Apache Superset
- 40+ Visualizations
- SQL IDE
- Semantic Layer
- Caching
- Security
- PostgreSQL
- MySQL
- Presto
Both cover
- Web support
- Self-hosted support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Budibase
- Building internal tools over existing databasesnot Apache Superset
- Self-hosting an open source low-code platformnot Apache Superset
- Admin panels and CRUD apps for operations teamsnot Apache Superset
- Automations triggered by data changesnot Apache Superset
Apache Superset
- Self-service analyticsnot Budibase
- Data explorationnot Budibase
- Ad-hoc reportingnot Budibase
- Collaborative analysisnot Budibase
- Embedded analyticsnot Budibase
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Budibase
- Cloud plans are metered on automation actions, from 5,000 a month on Pro to 250,000 on Business
- Creator seats are limited and cost $50 each beyond the included count
- End users are $5 per user per month on top of the plan
- Custom branding needs Premium, SSO enforcement and environment variables need Business, and audit logs are Enterprise only
- Log retention is tiered from 1 day on Pro to 365 days on Enterprise
- Monthly billing costs 20 percent more than annual
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.
Pricing, plan by plan
Budibase
Free- Open SourceFree
- Self-hosted
- Community support
- FreeFree
- Cloud hosted
- Limited features
- Premium$50/month
- Advanced features
- Email support
Apache Superset
Free- Open SourceFree
- Full Features
- Self-hosted
- Community Support
Which should you pick?
Choose Budibase if
- You need drag-and-drop builder.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, Self-hosted.
- You also want database design.
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.
Questions people ask
- Is Budibase or Apache Superset better?
- Neither clearly leads. Budibase starts at Free and Apache Superset at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Budibase or Apache Superset?
- Budibase starts at Free and Apache Superset at Free.
- Does Budibase or Apache Superset run on more platforms?
- Budibase runs on Web, Self-hosted. Apache Superset runs on Web, Self-hosted, Docker.
- Can I use Budibase for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Budibase best used for?
- Budibase is most often used for building internal tools over existing databases, self-hosting an open source low-code platform, admin panels and crud apps for operations teams, automations triggered by data changes. Of those, building internal tools over existing databases and self-hosting an open source low-code platform are not what Apache Superset is typically brought in for.
- What can Budibase do that Apache Superset cannot?
- Budibase covers Drag-and-drop builder, Database design, REST API, User management. Apache Superset covers 40+ Visualizations, SQL IDE, Semantic Layer, Caching. Both handle Web support, Self-hosted support.