Apache Superset vs Metabase
Apache Superset
superset.apache.orgMetabase
metabase.comSide by side
| Figure | Apache Superset | Metabase |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | $6/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | Yes |
| Web | Yes | — |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| API | Yes | — |
| Self-hosted | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 6 |
| Spec score · Bi Platforms | 8.8 (#1) | 8.7 (#3) |
| Spec score · Business Analytics | 8.7 (#1) | 8.7 (#3) |
| Spec score · Business Intelligence & Analytics - Midmarket Software | 8.8 (#1) | 8.7 (#3) |
| Spec score · Business Intelligence & Analytics - Enterprise Software | 8.7 (#2) | 8.7 (#4) |
| Spec score · Self Service Analytics | 8.7 (#2) | 8.6 (#4) |
| Spec score · Dashboards | 8.7 (#4) | 8.7 (#6) |
| Spec score · Realtime Dashboards | 8.7 (#3) | 8.4 (#5) |
| Spec score · Data Visualization Software | 8.7 (#16) | 9.0 (#7) |
| Spec score · Business Intelligence Tools | 8.7 (#15) | 8.9 (#11) |
| Spec score · Data Analytics Software | 8.7 (#6) | 8.6 (#8) |
| Deployment | self-hosted | hybrid |
| Deployment options | Official installation methods include Docker Compose, Kubernetes, and installation as a Python package from PyPI. | Metabase can be self-hosted or deployed on Metabase Cloud. |
| Embedded analytics | Yes | Metabase supports embedded dashboards, visualizations, self-serve reporting, and customizable SDK components. |
| Founded | 2015 | 2015 |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Natural-language queries | Yes | Yes |
| Row-level security | Yes | Yes |
| Scheduled reports | Yes | Yes |
Plans
Metabase
- Open SourceFree
- Starter$6 a month
- Pro$12 a month
- EnterprisePrice not published
- Starter annual$1,080 a year
- Pro annual$6,210 a year
In their own words
Apache Superset
Apache Superset is a free, open-source platform for exploring data and creating visualizations. Users can build charts with a no-code tool or work in a SQL IDE, then assemble charts and tables into interactive dashboards with drag-and-drop tools. It includes more than 40 visualization types and supports custom visualizations through plug-ins. Dashboard features include filters, cross-filters, drill-to-detail, and drill-by; other listed tools include caching, Jinja templating, CSS templates, and a semantic layer. The database guide lists 81 supported databases, with each engine requiring a separately installed driver; examples include Trino, Apache Hive, Apache Spark SQL, PostgreSQL, and Google BigQuery. Superset is self-hosted and can be installed through Docker Compose, Kubernetes, or as a Python package from PyPI. Kubernetes is described as the production best-practice option and requires Kubernetes expertise. Superset also lists row-level security, scheduled reports, embedded analytics, and natural-language queries. Its OpenAPI-specification REST API supports automation and integrations, and most endpoints require JWT authentication. Community support is available through Slack, GitHub, a mailing list, and meetups.