Databases · head to head
dbt vs Fig
dbt
Databases
SQL transformation framework enabling analytics engineers to version, test and deploy models
- From
- Free
- Free plan
- Yes
Fig
Developer Tools
IDE-style autocomplete for your existing terminal
- From
- Free
- Free plan
- Yes
The short version
- dbt is a transformation framework.
- Fig is free; dbt starts at $100/user/mo.
- Where dbt falls short: free tier severely limited: 3,000 models/month cap and single project maximum restricts team and production use.
- Where Fig falls short: the standalone desktop app is no longer available or supported.
- Prices and features on this page were last checked on 13 November 2026.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which dbt and Fig actually diverge.
Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes).
Not yet recorded: founded for dbt.
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
dbt
- Data warehouse transformation and ELT pipelinesnot Fig
- Analytics engineering for reporting and business intelligencenot Fig
- Data quality testing and validation at scalenot Fig
- Cross-functional data collaboration with version controlnot Fig
- Cost optimisation of warehouse usage through intelligent schedulingnot Fig
Fig
No use cases recorded yet. See the Fig review.
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
dbt
- Free tier severely limited: 3,000 models/month cap and single project maximum restricts team and production use
- Starter at $1,200/year per seat: minimum 5-seat team costs $6,000/year baseline; no single-seat or 2-seat paid option
- Enterprise pricing opaque: 'custom pricing' with no budget range for startups vs. enterprises; requires sales consultation
- Model volume metering unclear: 'successful models/month' as a limit is ambiguous; unclear if this counts transformation runs, test runs, or deployment attempts
Fig
- Shut down on 1 September 2024. Amazon acquired Fig in August 2023 and folded it into Amazon Q Developer, which now carries the terminal autocomplete
- The standalone desktop app is no longer available or supported
- The completion specs remain open source on GitHub, but the product that consumed them is gone
Pricing, plan by plan
dbt
Free- DeveloperFree
- Browser-based IDE
- MFA
- job scheduling
- Starter$100/user/mo
- dbt Wizard
- basic Catalog
- Semantic Layer
- EnterpriseOn request
- Advanced Catalog
- Semantic Layer
- dbt Copilot
- Enterprise+On request
- All Enterprise features
- PrivateLink
- IP restrictions
Fig
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the Fig review.
Which should you pick?
Choose dbt if
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, Self-hosted, IDE integration (VS Code, Cursor, Claude Code, Windsurf).
Questions people ask
- Is dbt or Fig better?
- Neither clearly leads. dbt starts at Free and Fig at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, dbt or Fig?
- dbt starts at Free and Fig at Free.
- Does dbt or Fig run on more platforms?
- dbt runs on Web, Self-hosted, IDE integration (VS Code, Cursor, Claude Code, Windsurf). Fig runs on Web.
- Can I use dbt for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is dbt best used for?
- dbt is most often used for data warehouse transformation and elt pipelines, analytics engineering for reporting and business intelligence, data quality testing and validation at scale, cross-functional data collaboration with version control. Of those, data warehouse transformation and elt pipelines and analytics engineering for reporting and business intelligence are not what Fig is typically brought in for.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
dbt: How much does dbt cost?
dbt Developer is free. dbt Starter is $100/seat/month with a 5-seat minimum (or custom annual billing). Enterprise and Enterprise+ have custom pricing and require contacting sales.
Sourcedbt: What is included in the free Developer plan?
The Developer plan is free and includes 1 developer seat, 3,000 successful models/month limit, 1 project, browser-based IDE, MFA, and job scheduling.
Sourcedbt: What is the model limit on each plan?
Developer tier allows 3,000 successful models/month. Starter allows 15,000/month. Enterprise and Enterprise+ allow 100,000/month.
Sourcedbt: Can I upgrade or downgrade my dbt plan?
Yes. dbt allows you to 'upgrade or downgrade at any time.' Starter plans bill monthly by credit card based on seat count; Enterprise plans are annual invoicing.
SourceRelated pages
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