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Spreadsheets · head to head

Metabase vs Periscope Data

Metabase logo

Metabase

Spreadsheets

Fast analytics with the friendly UX

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Periscope Data logo

Periscope Data

Business Intelligence

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 aI Service charges $3.75 per 1 million tokens (after 1M free tokens included); 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.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

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 modelfreemiumsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, Self-hosted cloudWeb, Cloud
CategorySpreadsheetsBusiness Intelligence
Founded20142012

Identical on both: 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 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

  • AI Service charges $3.75 per 1 million tokens (after 1M free tokens included)
  • Transforms cost $0.01 per run after 1,000 included runs per month
  • Advanced Transforms cost $0.02 per run after included allocation
  • Storage overages start at $2 per 1M rows (1M rows free)
  • All yearly plans offer 10% discount versus monthly, incentivizing annual commitment

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
  • Open SourceFree
    • Unlimited users
    • Unlimited questions and dashboards
    • AI-powered query generation
  • Starter$90/month
    • Email and chat support
    • $100/month standard monthly billing
    • 20+ data connectors
  • Pro$517.5/month
    • $575/month standard monthly
    • Row/column-level permissions
    • SSO
  • Enterprise$20000/year
    • Dedicated success engineer
    • 1-day support response SLA
    • Air-gapped deployment

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.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Metabase: How much does Metabase cost?

Metabase Open Source is free for self-hosted deployments with unlimited users and dashboards. Cloud-hosted Starter tier costs $90/month annually ($100/month monthly) with Pro at $517.50/month annually ($575/month monthly). Enterprise plans start at $20,000 per year.

Source
Periscope Data: Does Sisense offer a free trial?

Yes. Sisense offers a free trial of their Self-Serve plan. You can try features like data warehouse connectivity, built-in AI for natural-language queries, auto-narratives, and customer assistant features.

Source
Metabase: Does Metabase charge for additional users?

Yes, Metabase charges per-user fees beyond included users. Starter includes 5 users at $6 per additional user per month. Pro includes 10 users at $12 per additional user per month. Enterprise pricing is custom.

Source
Periscope Data: What is the difference between Sisense Self-Serve and Enterprise plans?

The Self-Serve plan is for startups and teams and includes basic connectivity and AI features with iframe embedding. The Enterprise plan is for regulated industries and includes multi-tenant architecture, HIPAA readiness, column-level security, single sign-on, on-premise deployment options, 99.99% SLA, and 30-day backups.

Source
Metabase: What usage-based fees does Metabase charge?

Metabase charges $3.75 per 1 million tokens for AI services (after 1M free tokens), $0.01 per transform run after 1,000 included per month, $0.02 for advanced transforms, and storage overages at $2 per 1M rows beyond the included 1M rows.

Source
Periscope Data: How do I access the Sisense Enterprise plan?

The Enterprise plan requires contacting Sisense for a demo and custom quote. There is no self-service signup for this tier.

Source
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