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Ibis

ibis-project.org

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Spec score 8.5 #12 of 37 in Data Transformation Tools

What it is

Ibis is a free, open-source Python dataframe library that provides a consistent API across more than 20 query backends. It lets users compose SQL and Python dataframe code, bringing data engineering and data science workflows together. For local dataframes, Ibis uses DuckDB by default and also names Polars and DataFusion. The project describes a workflow that can start locally and move to remote execution by changing a single line of code.

Ibis supports and tests Google BigQuery, Snowflake, Databricks Cloud, and Amazon Athena; support for those cloud backends could move to best effort if funding ends. Supported data formats include CSV, TSV, JSON, Parquet, Delta Lake, and Avro. Install Ibis with a supported backend using pip, conda, mamba, or pixi. One package distinction matters: the PyPI package named ibis is separate from ibis-framework, and the two cannot coexist in one Python environment because both use the ibis module name. Operation coverage varies by backend due to differences in SQL dialects and upstream support. The project recommends GitHub and Zulip for help, and Voltron Data offers commercial support.

Spec sheet

Product
Ibis is a portable Python dataframe library that provides one API for more than 20 data backends.Read 9 Oct 2026 · ibis-project.org
Integrations
The documented Python data integrations include pandas and Polars, with visualization tools such as matplotlib, seaborn, Plotly, Vega-Altair and plotnine.Read 9 Oct 2026 · ibis-project.org
Security
The reviewed official pages do not state security certifications or compliance claims.Read 9 Oct 2026 · ibis-project.org
Support
For help, the project points users to GitHub and Zulip, and says Voltron Data offers commercial support for Ibis.Read 9 Oct 2026 · ibis-project.org
Backend switching
The project says users can iterate locally and deploy remotely by changing a single line of code.Read 9 Oct 2026 · ibis-project.org
Backends
Ibis says its API supports more than 20 backends.Read 4 Oct 2026 · ibis-project.org
Cloud backend support
Ibis says it supports and tests BigQuery, Snowflake, Databricks Cloud and Amazon Athena, and those backends may move to best-effort support if funding dries up.Read 9 Oct 2026 · ibis-project.org
Cloud support
Ibis says it supports and tests Google BigQuery, Snowflake, Databricks Cloud, and Amazon Athena, with support potentially moving to best effort if funding ends.Read 4 Oct 2026 · ibis-project.org
Help
The project recommends GitHub and Zulip for help, and says Voltron Data offers commercial support.Read 4 Oct 2026 · ibis-project.org
Installation
Ibis and supported backends can be installed with pip, conda, mamba or pixi.Read 9 Oct 2026 · ibis-project.org
Local execution
Ibis uses DuckDB by default and also supports local execution with Polars or DataFusion.Read 9 Oct 2026 · ibis-project.org
Notable limitation
Support for the full Ibis API varies by backend because SQL dialects and upstream operation support differ.Read 9 Oct 2026 · ibis-project.org
Package conflict
The installation page warns that the PyPI package named ibis is distinct from ibis-framework, and that the two cannot coexist in one Python environment because both use the ibis module name.Read 4 Oct 2026 · ibis-project.org
Production use
Ibis says its API is stable, while breaking changes can occur across major versions and the team aims to make migration easy.Read 4 Oct 2026 · ibis-project.org
Project governance
Ibis is an open-source project that welcomes contributions; Voltron Data is its primary sponsor and employs most of the core development team.Read 9 Oct 2026 · ibis-project.org
Project support
Voltron Data is Ibis's primary sponsor, and the project page says most of the core development team is employed there.Read 4 Oct 2026 · ibis-project.org
Security and compliance
The opened official pages do not state security certifications or compliance claims.Read 4 Oct 2026 · ibis-project.org
SQL and Python
Ibis compiles its dataframe API into the backend’s native language and lets users mix SQL strings with Python dataframe code.Read 9 Oct 2026 · ibis-project.org
Use cases
The project describes Ibis use for exploratory data analysis, analytics, data engineering, machine learning and library development.Read 9 Oct 2026 · ibis-project.org
What it is
Ibis is an open-source portable Python dataframe library that executes on query engines through a consistent API.Read 4 Oct 2026 · ibis-project.org
Who it is for
The Why Ibis page identifies practitioners, data platforms, organizations, and library developers as audiences for Ibis.Read 4 Oct 2026 · ibis-project.org
Workflow
Ibis lets users iterate locally and deploy remotely by changing a single line of code.Read 4 Oct 2026 · ibis-project.org

Plans and prices

Open source Free Open source Python dataframe library; supported backends vary in operation coverage Read 9 Oct 2026 · ibis-project.org

Every Ibis plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Provides one API for more than 20 backends.
  • Supports local execution with DuckDB by default.
  • Can move from local to remote execution with one code-line change.
  • Supports six listed data formats.
  • Open source and free.

Limits

  • Operation coverage varies across backends.
  • Two similarly named packages cannot share one Python environment.
  • Cloud backend support may become best effort if funding ends.

Who it suits

Ibis may suit practitioners, data platforms, organizations, and library developers working with Python dataframes across query engines. It is also relevant to teams combining SQL and Python in analytics, data engineering, or machine learning work.

Verdict

Ibis offers a portable dataframe interface across many query engines, with local and remote workflows. Check backend operation coverage for the features you need and avoid installing the conflicting package named ibis alongside ibis-framework.

Where Specifiction places it

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