Spreadsheet & Data · head to head
Redash vs Apache Superset
Apache Superset
Spreadsheet & Data
Modern data exploration and visualization platform
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Redash a basic self-hosted deployment needs a minimum of 4GB of RAM, and more RAM and CPU as background workers and API processes grow; Apache Superset distributed under Apache License 2.0 with no official vendor-hosted SaaS; deploying it requires self-managed infrastructure since the Apache Software Foundation does not sell a managed offering.
- They diverge on capability: Redash covers SQL Query Editor, Apache Superset covers 40+ Visualizations.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Redash and Apache Superset actually diverge.
| Attribute | Redash | Apache Superset |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | freemium | open-source |
| Platforms | Web, Self-hosted, Cloud | Web, Self-hosted, Docker |
| Founded | 2013 | 1999 |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Spreadsheet & Data).
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 Redash
- SQL Query Editor
- Multiple Data Sources
- Visualizations
- Dashboards
- Alerts
- BigQuery
- Redshift
- MongoDB
Only in Apache Superset
- 40+ Visualizations
- SQL IDE
- Semantic Layer
- Caching
- Security
- Druid
- ClickHouse
- Snowflake
Both cover
- PostgreSQL
- MySQL
- Presto
- Web support
- Self-hosted support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Redash
- Self-hosted SQL query editor and dashboarding over existing databasesnot Apache Superset
- Sharing scheduled query results with a team without buying a BI licencenot Apache Superset
Apache Superset
- Self-service analyticsnot Redash
- Data explorationnot Redash
- Ad-hoc reportingnot Redash
- Collaborative analysisnot Redash
- Embedded analyticsnot Redash
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Redash
- A basic self-hosted deployment needs a minimum of 4GB of RAM, and more RAM and CPU as background workers and API processes grow
- The official Docker images were not updated for V10, so the documented route is to deploy a V8 instance and then upgrade it
- Anyone not using a provided cloud image has to configure the environment variables and secrets by hand
Apache Superset
- Distributed under Apache License 2.0 with no official vendor-hosted SaaS; deploying it requires self-managed infrastructure since the Apache Software Foundation does not sell a managed offering.
Pricing, plan by plan
Redash
Free- Open SourceFree
- Full Features
- Self-hosted
- Community Support
- Cloud$49/month
- Managed Hosting
- Automatic Updates
- Support
Apache Superset
Free- Open SourceFree
- Full Features
- Self-hosted
- Community Support
Which should you pick?
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.
Choose Apache Superset if
- You need 40+ visualizations.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, Self-hosted, Docker.
- You also want sql ide.
Questions people ask
- Is Redash or Apache Superset better?
- Neither clearly leads. Redash starts at Free and Apache Superset at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Redash or Apache Superset?
- Redash starts at Free and Apache Superset at Free.
- Does Redash or Apache Superset run on more platforms?
- Redash runs on Web, Self-hosted, Cloud. Apache Superset runs on Web, Self-hosted, Docker.
- Can I use Redash for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Redash best used for?
- Redash is most often used for self-hosted sql query editor and dashboarding over existing databases, sharing scheduled query results with a team without buying a bi licence. Of those, self-hosted sql query editor and dashboarding over existing databases and sharing scheduled query results with a team without buying a bi licence are not what Apache Superset is typically brought in for.
- What can Redash do that Apache Superset cannot?
- Redash covers SQL Query Editor, Multiple Data Sources, Visualizations, Dashboards. Apache Superset covers 40+ Visualizations, SQL IDE, Semantic Layer, Caching. Both handle PostgreSQL, MySQL, Presto, Web support.