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Software · head to head

Metabase vs Sisense

Metabase logo

Metabase

Software

Fast analytics with the friendly UX

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Sisense logo

Sisense

Software

Infuse analytics everywhere

From
$10000/year
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; Sisense pricing lacks transparency with opaque scaling costs and hidden fees for onboarding and training
  • They diverge on capability: Metabase covers No-code Query Builder, Sisense covers Embedded Analytics.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Metabase and Sisense actually diverge.

Attributes where Metabase and Sisense differ
AttributeMetabaseSisense
Starting priceFree$10000/year
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, Self-hosted cloudWeb, Cloud, On-premises
Founded20142004

Identical on both: pricing model (Unknown), 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
  • SQL Editor
  • Interactive Dashboards
  • Alerts
  • Embedding
  • PostgreSQL
  • MySQL
  • MongoDB

Only in Sisense

  • Embedded Analytics
  • AI/ML Integration
  • In-chip Technology
  • White-labeling
  • REST API
  • AWS
  • Azure
  • Google Cloud

Both cover

  • Snowflake
  • Web 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 Sisense
  • Embedded analytics for SaaS applicationsnot Sisense
  • Self-service reporting and dashboard creationnot Sisense
  • Integration with 40+ data sources including cloud warehousesnot Sisense

Sisense

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

Sisense

  • Pricing lacks transparency with opaque scaling costs and hidden fees for onboarding and training
  • Limited connector ecosystem compared to competitors; missing native connectors to many data sources
  • Dashboard customization options are limited; widgets cannot span multiple rows, restricting layout possibilities
  • Performance issues reported with large datasets and stability problems with data cubes

Pricing, plan by plan

Metabase

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Metabase review.

Sisense

$10000/year
  • Small Team$10000/year minimum
    • Basic analytics dashboards
    • Limited data sources
  • Mid-Market$null/custom
    • Advanced analytics
    • Multiple data sources
    • Custom integrations
  • Enterprise$60000/year+
    • Advanced AI analytics
    • Premium support
    • Custom development

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 sql editor.
Metabase review

Choose Sisense if

  • You need embedded analytics.
  • You work on Web, Cloud, On-premises.
  • You also want ai/ml integration.
Sisense review

Questions people ask

Is Metabase or Sisense better?
Neither clearly leads. Metabase starts at Free and Sisense at $10000/year, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Metabase or Sisense?
Metabase has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Metabase and $10000/year for Sisense.
Does Metabase or Sisense run on more platforms?
Metabase runs on Web, Self-hosted cloud. Sisense runs on Web, Cloud, On-premises.
Can I use Metabase for free?
Yes. Metabase has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Sisense starts at $10000/year.
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 Sisense is typically brought in for.
What can Metabase do that Sisense cannot?
Metabase covers No-code Query Builder, SQL Editor, Interactive Dashboards, Alerts. Sisense covers Embedded Analytics, AI/ML Integration, In-chip Technology, White-labeling. Both handle Snowflake, Web support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Sisense: What is Sisense primarily used for?

Sisense is an embedded analytics platform that combines data ingestion, modeling, and dashboarding, allowing organizations to embed analytics and insights directly into their applications and workflows.

Source
Sisense: Does Sisense have a transparent pricing model?

Sisense pricing is not publicly listed and requires contacting sales. Typical costs start at $10,000 per year for small teams but can scale to $60,000+ annually depending on users, data volume, number of data sources, and complexity. AI capabilities typically add 20-30% to base costs.

Source
Sisense: What data sources can Sisense connect to?

Sisense provides pre-built connectors for popular applications including Salesforce, Google Analytics, Zendesk, and others. It also supports custom connections through APIs and SDKs for specialized data sources.

Source
Sisense: Is Sisense easy to use for non-technical users?

Sisense requires significant technical expertise to set up, particularly for creating Elasticubes (database caches) which often need SQL code. While it promotes codeless reporting, typical implementations require a technical resource.

Source
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