Overview
Metabase is a business intelligence tool with an open-source core, available self-hosted or as a managed cloud service. It connects to common databases and warehouses such as PostgreSQL, MySQL, BigQuery and Snowflake.
Teams use it to give non-analysts a query builder for everyday questions while analysts write SQL for more complex work. Dashboards can be shared internally or embedded in other applications.
Key features
- Query builderGraphical interface for filtering, summarising and joining data without SQL.
- SQL editorNative queries with variables and reusable snippets.
- DashboardsInteractive dashboards with filters, drill-through and subscriptions.
- Models and metricsCurated datasets and shared definitions for consistent reporting.
- EmbeddingEmbed charts and dashboards in other applications.
Best for
- Startups that want a free, self-hosted BI layer on top of their database
- Teams giving non-technical colleagues self-serve access to data
- Products that need embedded customer-facing analytics
Pricing
Open source. Free open-source edition for self-hosting; paid cloud and self-hosted plans add features and support.
| Plan | What you get |
|---|---|
| Open Source | Self-hosted core product at no cost. |
| Starter | Managed cloud hosting for small teams, billed per user. |
| Pro | Advanced permissions, embedding and SSO, cloud or self-hosted. |
| Enterprise | Custom terms and dedicated support. |
Prices and plan limits change often. Check the official website for current pricing. Last reviewed Oct 3, 2026.
Pros & cons
Pros
- Free self-hosted edition is fully usable for many teams
- Approachable query builder for non-SQL users
- Quick to set up against an existing database
Cons
- Less suited to complex semantic modelling than heavier enterprise BI tools
- Self-hosting requires maintaining the application and its metadata database
- Some governance and embedding features require paid plans
Metabase alternatives
-
Data Usage-based Visit
Snowflake
Cloud data platform for warehousing, data engineering and data sharing.
-
Data Open source Visit
dbt
SQL-based data transformation with testing, documentation and version control.
-
Data Usage-based Visit
PostHog
Open-source product analytics, session replay, feature flags and experiments.
Related resources
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How early-stage teams can assemble product analytics, web analytics, BI and a warehouse in stages, without building more data infrastructure than they need.
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Try Metabase
Free open-source edition for self-hosting; paid cloud and self-hosted plans add features and support.