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Spreadsheets · head to head

Looker vs Redash

Looker logo

Looker

Spreadsheets

Modern business intelligence platform by Google

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Redash logo

Redash

Spreadsheets

Connect and visualize your data

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Redash has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Looker no pricing published on website; quote-based model requires contacting Google Cloud sales; Redash pricing model not disclosed on dedicated pricing page
  • They diverge on capability: Looker covers LookML Data Modeling, Redash covers SQL Query Editor.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Looker and Redash actually diverge.

Attributes where Looker and Redash differ
AttributeLookerRedash
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelUnknownfreemium
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWeb, Cloud (Google Cloud Platform)Web, Self-hosted, Cloud
Founded20082013

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 Looker

  • LookML Data Modeling
  • Embedded Analytics
  • API Access
  • Version Control
  • Data Actions
  • Snowflake
  • Salesforce
  • Mobile support

Only in Redash

  • SQL Query Editor
  • Multiple Data Sources
  • Visualizations
  • Dashboards
  • Alerts
  • Presto
  • MongoDB
  • Self-hosted support

Both cover

  • BigQuery
  • Redshift
  • PostgreSQL
  • MySQL
  • Web support

What people use each for

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

Looker

  • Business intelligence and interactive dashboards for data-driven decision makingnot Redash
  • Embedded analytics for integrating BI capabilities into third-party applicationsnot Redash

Redash

  • Data visualization and business intelligence for analyticsnot Looker
  • Query result sharing and collaborative dashboard creationnot Looker

Where each one falls short

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

Looker

  • No pricing published on website; quote-based model requires contacting Google Cloud sales
  • Pricing typically based on user count, deployment type, and feature requirements with no transparency

Redash

  • Pricing model not disclosed on dedicated pricing page
  • Open-source offering may require self-hosting technical expertise
  • Managed hosting or commercial support pricing not published

Pricing, plan by plan

Looker

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Looker review.

Redash

Free
  • Open SourceFree
    • Full Features
    • Self-hosted
    • Community Support
  • Cloud$49/month
    • Managed Hosting
    • Automatic Updates
    • Support

Which should you pick?

Choose Looker if

  • You need lookml data modeling.
  • You work on Web, Cloud (Google Cloud Platform).
  • You also want embedded analytics.
Looker review

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.
Redash review

Questions people ask

Is Looker or Redash better?
Neither clearly leads. Looker starts at On request and Redash at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Looker or Redash?
Redash has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Looker and Free for Redash.
Does Looker or Redash run on more platforms?
Looker runs on Web, Cloud (Google Cloud Platform). Redash runs on Web, Self-hosted, Cloud.
Can I use Redash for free?
Yes. Redash has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Looker starts at On request.
What is Looker best used for?
Looker is most often used for business intelligence and interactive dashboards for data-driven decision making, embedded analytics for integrating bi capabilities into third-party applications. Of those, business intelligence and interactive dashboards for data-driven decision making and embedded analytics for integrating bi capabilities into third-party applications are not what Redash is typically brought in for.
What can Looker do that Redash cannot?
Looker covers LookML Data Modeling, Embedded Analytics, API Access, Version Control. Redash covers SQL Query Editor, Multiple Data Sources, Visualizations, Dashboards. Both handle BigQuery, Redshift, PostgreSQL, MySQL.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Looker: How much does Looker cost?

Looker does not publish pricing on its website. The platform uses a custom quote model where organizations contact Google Cloud sales for personalized pricing. Pricing is typically based on factors including user count, deployment type (cloud-hosted versus self-hosted), and required feature set.

Source
Redash: What is Redash's pricing?

Redash is a popular open-source project with no pricing tiers listed on the pricing page. The project emphasizes no vendor lock-in and community contribution. Paid managed hosting or commercial support options may be available but are not published on this page.

Source
Looker: What are Looker's pricing tiers?

Looker offers subscription-based tiers typically including Standard with core BI capabilities, Advanced with enhanced features and integrations, and Premium with enterprise-grade features. Specific pricing and feature distinctions require contacting Google Cloud sales.

Source
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