Metabase connects to a database and lets non-technical people build charts and dashboards through a point-and-click query builder, while still allowing SQL for anyone who wants it. It is open source and self-hostable, which makes it the default choice for small teams needing internal reporting without a BI contract.
Who it is for
A 20-person company that wants internal reporting on its Postgres database without buying a BI contract.
Key features
- Point-and-click query builder for non-SQL users
- Native SQL editor for analysts
- Dashboards with filters and scheduled pulses
- Self-hosted via Docker or JAR
- Alerts sent to Slack or email
- SSO and sandboxing on paid plans
Where it falls short
It is a query and visualisation layer, not a data warehouse, so performance depends entirely on how your data is modelled.
Pricing
Open source edition is free to self-host; the cloud Starter plan is per user, and SSO, row-level sandboxing, and audit logs are the gates that push teams to Pro.
Prices move; the tier structure is the part that stays true. Check current pricing on Metabase.
Alternatives to Metabase
Frequently asked
Is Metabase free?
Partly. Open source edition is free to self-host; the cloud Starter plan is per user, and SSO, row-level sandboxing, and audit logs are the gates that push teams to Pro.
What is Metabase best for?
A 20-person company that wants internal reporting on its Postgres database without buying a BI contract.
What are the best alternatives to Metabase?
The closest substitutes we list are Grafana, Supabase and Looker Studio. They sit in a similar price bracket but make a different trade-off, so read the weaknesses section of each review before switching.
Which platforms does Metabase run on?
Metabase is available on Web and Docker.