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Software · head to head

Metabase vs Periscope Data

Metabase logo

Metabase

Software

Fast analytics with the friendly UX

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Periscope Data logo

Periscope Data

Software

SQL and Python analytics platform

From
$1000/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Metabase has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Metabase row and column level permissions and SSO available only in Pro tier and above; Periscope Data the periscopedata.com domain now redirects to sisense.com, so Periscope Data is no longer sold as a standalone product
  • They diverge on capability: Metabase covers No-code Query Builder, Periscope Data covers Python/R Integration.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Metabase and Periscope Data actually diverge.

Attributes where Metabase and Periscope Data differ
AttributeMetabasePeriscope Data
Starting priceFree$1000/month
Pricing modelUnknownsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, Self-hosted cloudWeb, Cloud
Founded20142012

Identical on both: 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 Metabase

  • No-code Query Builder
  • Interactive Dashboards
  • Alerts
  • Embedding
  • MongoDB
  • Self-hosted support

Only in Periscope Data

  • Python/R Integration
  • Version Control
  • Caching
  • Dashboards
  • Presto

Both cover

  • SQL Editor
  • PostgreSQL
  • MySQL
  • BigQuery
  • Snowflake
  • Redshift
  • Web support
  • Cloud support

What people use each for

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

Metabase

  • Business intelligence and data exploration for non-technical usersnot Periscope Data
  • Embedded analytics for SaaS applicationsnot Periscope Data
  • Self-service reporting and dashboard creationnot Periscope Data
  • Integration with 40+ data sources including cloud warehousesnot Periscope Data

Periscope Data

  • SQL-based analytics and dashboards over a data warehousenot Metabase
  • Python and R analysis alongside SQL in one workflownot Metabase
  • Shared dashboards for data teamsnot Metabase

Where each one falls short

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

Metabase

  • Row and column level permissions and SSO available only in Pro tier and above
  • Advanced analytics features like multi-tenant embedded analytics require Pro tier or higher
  • AI-powered features incur additional usage-based costs: $3.75 per 1M tokens
  • Self-hosted deployment on Free/Open Source tier requires infrastructure management

Periscope Data

  • The periscopedata.com domain now redirects to sisense.com, so Periscope Data is no longer sold as a standalone product
  • No Periscope Data pricing, plan or seat rate remains published at the original domain
  • Buyers must now purchase through Sisense, whose own pricing is not published as a rate card

Pricing, plan by plan

Metabase

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Metabase review.

Periscope Data

$1000/month
  • Team$1000/month
    • SQL Analytics
    • Python/R
    • Dashboards
  • EnterpriseFree
    • Advanced Features
    • Custom Integrations
    • Premium Support

Which should you pick?

Choose Metabase if

  • You need no-code query builder.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Self-hosted cloud.
  • You also want interactive dashboards.
Metabase review

Choose Periscope Data if

  • You need python/r integration.
  • You work on Web, Cloud.
  • You also want version control.
Periscope Data review

Questions people ask

Is Metabase or Periscope Data better?
Neither clearly leads. Metabase starts at Free and Periscope Data at $1000/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Metabase or Periscope Data?
Metabase has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Metabase and $1000/month for Periscope Data.
Does Metabase or Periscope Data run on more platforms?
Metabase runs on Web, Self-hosted cloud. Periscope Data runs on Web, Cloud.
Can I use Metabase for free?
Yes. Metabase has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Periscope Data starts at $1000/month.
What is Metabase best used for?
Metabase is most often used for business intelligence and data exploration for non-technical users, embedded analytics for saas applications, self-service reporting and dashboard creation, integration with 40+ data sources including cloud warehouses. Of those, business intelligence and data exploration for non-technical users and embedded analytics for saas applications are not what Periscope Data is typically brought in for.
What can Metabase do that Periscope Data cannot?
Metabase covers No-code Query Builder, Interactive Dashboards, Alerts, Embedding. Periscope Data covers Python/R Integration, Version Control, Caching, Dashboards. Both handle SQL Editor, PostgreSQL, MySQL, BigQuery.
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