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Crypto · head to head

Dune Analytics vs Lightdash

Dune Analytics logo

Dune Analytics

Crypto

Crypto's data platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Lightdash logo

Lightdash

Business Intelligence

Open-source BI for dbt users

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Dune Analytics free tier has 10-minute query execution delay versus 1-2 minutes on paid plans; Lightdash requires existing dbt infrastructure, not suitable for teams without data models
  • They diverge on capability: Dune Analytics covers SQL Queries, Lightdash covers dbt Integration.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Dune Analytics and Lightdash actually diverge.

Attributes where Dune Analytics and Lightdash differ
AttributeDune AnalyticsLightdash
Pricing modelfreemiumUnknown
PlatformsWebWeb, Cloud (managed), Self-hosted (on-premise)
CategoryCryptoBusiness Intelligence
Founded20182021

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

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 Dune Analytics

  • SQL Queries
  • Multi-chain Data
  • API Access
  • Spellbook
  • 20+ blockchains
  • Community wizards

Only in Lightdash

  • dbt Integration
  • Metrics Layer
  • Scheduling
  • Version Control
  • dbt
  • BigQuery
  • Snowflake
  • Redshift

Both cover

  • Dashboards
  • Web support

What people use each for

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

Dune Analytics

  • Analyticsnot Lightdash
  • Datanot Lightdash
  • Researchnot Lightdash

Lightdash

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

Where each one falls short

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

Dune Analytics

  • Free tier has 10-minute query execution delay versus 1-2 minutes on paid plans
  • Decoded tables lag blockchain by 5-10 minutes on free tier
  • API rate limits on free tier capped at 40 requests per minute
  • Requires SQL knowledge to build custom queries; limited no-code dashboard creation

Lightdash

  • Requires existing dbt infrastructure, not suitable for teams without data models
  • Enterprise features and AI agents unavailable in open-source MIT-licensed core

Pricing, plan by plan

Dune Analytics

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Public queries
    • Community dashboards
    • Limited executions
  • Plus$349/month
    • Private queries
    • CSV export
    • Priority execution

Lightdash

Free
  • Open SourceFree
    • MIT-licensed core
    • Self-hostable
    • dbt integration
  • Cloud Managed$undefined/mo
    • Managed hosting
    • Premium features
    • AI agent capabilities

Which should you pick?

Choose Dune Analytics if

  • You need sql queries.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want multi-chain data.
Dune Analytics review

Choose Lightdash if

  • You need dbt integration.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Cloud (managed), Self-hosted (on-premise).
  • You also want metrics layer.
Lightdash review

Questions people ask

Is Dune Analytics or Lightdash better?
Neither clearly leads. Dune Analytics starts at Free and Lightdash at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Dune Analytics or Lightdash?
Dune Analytics starts at Free and Lightdash at Free.
Does Dune Analytics or Lightdash run on more platforms?
Dune Analytics runs on Web. Lightdash runs on Web, Cloud (managed), Self-hosted (on-premise).
Can I use Dune Analytics for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Dune Analytics best used for?
Dune Analytics is most often used for analytics, data, research. Of those, analytics and data are not what Lightdash is typically brought in for.
What can Dune Analytics do that Lightdash cannot?
Dune Analytics covers SQL Queries, Multi-chain Data, API Access, Spellbook. Lightdash covers dbt Integration, Metrics Layer, Scheduling, Version Control. Both handle Dashboards, Web support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Dune Analytics: Does Dune Analytics have a free tier?

Yes. Dune offers a free tier with unlimited queries, up to 10-minute execution delays, public dashboards, and 100 MB storage. Paid plans (Plus at $399/month, Premium at $999/month) unlock faster execution and larger result sets.

Source
Lightdash: Is Lightdash free?

Yes. Lightdash is free and open source under the MIT license. Self-hosting is completely free. Managed cloud services and enterprise features require separate licensing.

Source
Dune Analytics: What blockchain networks does Dune support?

Dune supports over 130 blockchain networks including Ethereum, Polygon, Optimism, Solana, Bitcoin, and other EVM and non-EVM compatible chains with decoded transaction and event data.

Source
Lightdash: How does Lightdash integrate with dbt?

Lightdash reads dbt models and metric definitions directly. A team defines metrics once in dbt and reuses them across dashboards, exploration, and AI agents without redefinition.

Source
Dune Analytics: Can I export my Dune dashboards and data?

Yes. The free tier supports basic export. Paid tiers unlock CSV export and Datashare feature that allows you to stream curated blockchain data directly to Snowflake, BigQuery, or Databricks.

Source
Lightdash: Does Lightdash support SQL queries?

Yes. As a modern BI platform for analysts, Lightdash supports full SQL capabilities alongside dbt model exploration and visual query builders.

Source
Dune Analytics: What external tools can I connect to Dune?

Dune supports connections to Hex, Metabase, DBeaver, PowerBI, and other tools via its Trino warehouse connector, and can stream data to Snowflake, BigQuery, and Databricks. It also offers dbt integration and an API.

Source
Lightdash: What are Lightdash AI agents?

Lightdash AI agents, available on paid plans, allow natural language queries against your data, generating SQL and visualizations automatically from questions.

Source
Lightdash: Can Lightdash be self-hosted?

Yes. Lightdash's MIT-licensed core is completely self-hostable and free. Enterprise features and AI agents ship under separate licensing.

Source
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