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Spreadsheets · head to head

Apache Superset vs Cube Software

Apache Superset logo

Apache Superset

Spreadsheets

Modern data exploration and visualization platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Cube Software logo

Cube Software

Spreadsheets

FP&A layer that connects Excel and Google Sheets to source systems without asking finance to leave the spreadsheet

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Apache Superset has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Apache Superset no commercial pricing; open-source project; Cube Software the pricing page is titled transparent and upfront pricing but shows no figures at all, only three tiers with quote buttons, so the marketing claim and the buying experience directly contradict each other.
  • They diverge on capability: Apache Superset covers 40+ Visualizations, Cube Software covers Excel and Google Sheets add-ins.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 31 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Apache Superset and Cube Software actually diverge.

Attributes where Apache Superset and Cube Software differ
AttributeApache SupersetCube Software
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelopen-sourcequote
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, Self-hosted, DockerWeb, Excel add-in, Google Sheets add-on
Founded1999Unknown

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Spreadsheets).

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
  • PostgreSQL
  • MySQL
  • Presto

Only in Cube Software

  • Excel and Google Sheets add-ins
  • Source system connectors
  • Central dimensional model
  • Drill-down to source
  • Scenario planning
  • Dashboards
  • Workflow automation
  • Slack and Teams integration

What people use each for

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

Apache Superset

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

Cube Software

  • A finance team on Google Workspace that cannot use the Excel-add-in-only planning tools most of the market sellsnot Apache Superset
  • A startup finance function of two or three people replacing a shared workbook without a six-month implementationnot Apache Superset
  • Consolidating actuals from an accounting system and a CRM into one forecast without building a warehousenot Apache Superset
  • Collecting departmental budget inputs on a schedule with an audit trail rather than by email attachmentnot Apache Superset

Where each one falls short

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

Apache Superset

  • No commercial pricing; open-source project
  • Commercial hosting available via Preset.io (separate vendor)

Cube Software

  • The pricing page is titled transparent and upfront pricing but shows no figures at all, only three tiers with quote buttons, so the marketing claim and the buying experience directly contradict each other.
  • Add-ons for premium support, additional modules and API access are priced separately, which means the tier you are quoted is a floor rather than the total.
  • The spreadsheet remains the modelling surface, so organisations that grow into large multidimensional planning problems will eventually migrate again to a purpose-built tool.
  • It is a layer over source systems rather than a system of record, so data quality problems in the ERP or CRM surface in the forecast and Cube gives you no way to fix them at source.
  • The vendor targets small finance teams, so buyers needing deep statutory consolidation, multi-entity currency translation or heavy allocation logic will find the functional depth thinner than the established enterprise platforms.

Pricing, plan by plan

Apache Superset

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

Cube Software

On request
  • Bronze$undefined/year
    • Full platform access
    • Unlimited dimensions and users
    • Unlimited dashboards
  • Silver$undefined/year
    • Everything in Bronze
    • Slack and Teams integration
    • Workflow automation
  • Gold$undefined/year
    • Everything in Silver
    • Premium support
    • All integrations and workflows

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 Cube Software if

  • You need excel and google sheets add-ins.
  • You work on Web, Excel add-in, Google Sheets add-on.
  • You also want source system connectors.
Cube Software review

Questions people ask

Is Apache Superset or Cube Software better?
Neither clearly leads. Apache Superset starts at Free and Cube Software at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Apache Superset or Cube Software?
Apache Superset has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Apache Superset and On request for Cube Software.
Does Apache Superset or Cube Software run on more platforms?
Apache Superset runs on Web, Self-hosted, Docker. Cube Software runs on Web, Excel add-in, Google Sheets add-on.
Can I use Apache Superset for free?
Yes. Apache Superset has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Cube Software starts at On request.
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 Cube Software is typically brought in for.
What can Apache Superset do that Cube Software cannot?
Apache Superset covers 40+ Visualizations, SQL IDE, Semantic Layer, Caching. Cube Software covers Excel and Google Sheets add-ins, Source system connectors, Central dimensional model, Drill-down to source.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Apache Superset: What does Apache Superset cost?

Apache Superset is open-source software available free under the Apache 2.0 license. There are no licensing costs, subscription fees, or per-seat charges for using Superset itself.

Source
Cube Software: Does Cube work with Google Sheets?

Yes, and that is its main differentiator. Google Sheets is a first-class interface, not a secondary export.

Apache Superset: Is there a paid version of Apache Superset?

Apache Superset itself is free and open-source. Preset.io offers commercial Superset hosting with premium support, but this is a separate vendor service, not an official paid tier of Superset.

Source
Cube Software: Is pricing published?

No, despite the page being titled transparent pricing. All three tiers require a quote.

Cube Software: Is it a replacement for our accounting system?

No. It reads actuals from your accounting or ERP system and adds planning, reporting and workflow on top.

Cube Software: What are the tiers called?

Bronze, Silver and Gold, with add-ons for premium support, extra modules and API access.

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