Metabase vs Redash
Metabase and Redash are both strong open-source BI tools, but they serve different audiences. Metabase delivers a polished, enterprise-ready platform with a no-code query builder, embedded analytics, advanced permissions, and a growing AI layer. Redash remains a focused, SQL-first tool that excels at connecting to diverse data sources and letting technical teams query and visualize data with minimal overhead. Your choice depends on whether you need self-service BI for mixed-skill teams or a lean query tool for SQL-fluent analysts.
Metabase4.4Redash4.3
Business Intelligence
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Metabase | Redash |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Teams needing self-service BI with embedded analytics | SQL-proficient teams needing a lightweight query and visualization tool |
| Pricing | Starter $100/mo, Pro $575/mo, Enterprise $20 | Self-hosted free (BSD-2-Clause license) |
| Ease of Use | No-code query builder plus SQL editor for power users | SQL-first interface with browser-based query editor |
| Data Source Support | 20+ native database connectors including PostgreSQL, MySQL, Redshift, BigQuery | Broad SQL, NoSQL, Big Data, and API data source support including PostgreSQL, MySQL, BigQuery, Redshift, Snowflake, Athena |
| Community Size | 46,900+ GitHub stars, 66 user reviews (8.4/10 rating) | 28,500+ GitHub stars, 17 user reviews (8.1/10 rating) |
| Deployment Options | Self-hosted (Docker, JAR) or Metabase Cloud | Self-hosted via Docker |
Metabase
- Best For:
- Teams needing self-service BI with embedded analytics
- Pricing:
- Starter $100/mo, Pro $575/mo, Enterprise $20
- Ease of Use:
- No-code query builder plus SQL editor for power users
- Data Source Support:
- 20+ native database connectors including PostgreSQL, MySQL, Redshift, BigQuery
- Community Size:
- 46,900+ GitHub stars, 66 user reviews (8.4/10 rating)
- Deployment Options:
- Self-hosted (Docker, JAR) or Metabase Cloud
Redash
- Best For:
- SQL-proficient teams needing a lightweight query and visualization tool
- Pricing:
- Self-hosted free (BSD-2-Clause license)
- Ease of Use:
- SQL-first interface with browser-based query editor
- Data Source Support:
- Broad SQL, NoSQL, Big Data, and API data source support including PostgreSQL, MySQL, BigQuery, Redshift, Snowflake, Athena
- Community Size:
- 28,500+ GitHub stars, 17 user reviews (8.1/10 rating)
- Deployment Options:
- Self-hosted via Docker
Community & Adoption Signals
| Metric | Metabase | Redash |
|---|---|---|
| GitHub stars | 47.5k | 28.6k |
| TrustRadius rating | 8.4/10 (66 reviews) | 8.1/10 (17 reviews) |
| PyPI weekly downloads | 126 | — |
| Docker Hub pulls | 257.8M | 91.7M |
| Search interest | 3 | 0 |
| Product Hunt votes | 290 | 9 |
As of 2026-06-01 — updated weekly.
Interface Preview
Metabase
Redash
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Metabase | Redash |
|---|---|---|
| Query & Data Exploration | ||
| Visual Query Builder (No-Code) | Full no-code query builder with drag-and-drop | Not available; SQL-only query interface |
| SQL Editor | Built-in SQL editor with variable support | Powerful SQL editor with auto-complete and snippets |
| Query Result Caching | Granular result and model caching built-in | Results cached with configurable auto-refresh schedules |
| Visualization & Dashboards | ||
| Dashboard Creation | Interactive dashboards with drill-through and cross-filtering | Drag-and-drop dashboard builder with resize support |
| Visualization Types | Charts, maps, pivot tables, funnels, and automatic x-ray reports | Charts, cohort, pivot table, boxplot, map, counter, sankey, sunburst, word cloud, funnel |
| Scheduled Reports & Alerts | Email and Slack alerts with scheduled delivery and custom filters | Alert system with scheduled refresh from data sources |
| Embedded Analytics & Sharing | ||
| Embedded Analytics | Full embedded analytics with React SDK and iframe options, white-labeling | Public link sharing and embeddable widgets via URL |
| White-Labeling | Available on Pro and Enterprise plans with dynamic styling | Not available as a built-in feature |
| API Access | REST API for programmatic access | Full REST API for queries, dashboards, and data sources |
| Security & Administration | ||
| SSO Integration | SAML, LDAP, JWT, and Google SSO with group mapping | SSO support with access control |
| Row/Column-Level Permissions | Granular row-level, column-level, and collection-level permissions | Basic user management and access control |
| Multi-Tenant Data Segregation | Native support for one-database-per-tenant architecture | Not available as a built-in feature |
| Platform & Ecosystem | ||
| AI Features | Metabot AI for natural language SQL generation (add-on) | No built-in AI features |
| Data Modeling / Semantic Layer | Data Studio with models, metrics, segments, SQL/Python transforms | No built-in data modeling layer |
| Primary Language | Clojure (backend) | Python (backend) |
Query & Data Exploration
Visual Query Builder (No-Code)
MetabaseFull no-code query builder with drag-and-drop
RedashNot available; SQL-only query interface
SQL Editor
MetabaseBuilt-in SQL editor with variable support
RedashPowerful SQL editor with auto-complete and snippets
Query Result Caching
MetabaseGranular result and model caching built-in
RedashResults cached with configurable auto-refresh schedules
Visualization & Dashboards
Dashboard Creation
MetabaseInteractive dashboards with drill-through and cross-filtering
RedashDrag-and-drop dashboard builder with resize support
Visualization Types
MetabaseCharts, maps, pivot tables, funnels, and automatic x-ray reports
RedashCharts, cohort, pivot table, boxplot, map, counter, sankey, sunburst, word cloud, funnel
Scheduled Reports & Alerts
MetabaseEmail and Slack alerts with scheduled delivery and custom filters
RedashAlert system with scheduled refresh from data sources
Embedded Analytics & Sharing
Embedded Analytics
MetabaseFull embedded analytics with React SDK and iframe options, white-labeling
RedashPublic link sharing and embeddable widgets via URL
White-Labeling
MetabaseAvailable on Pro and Enterprise plans with dynamic styling
RedashNot available as a built-in feature
API Access
MetabaseREST API for programmatic access
RedashFull REST API for queries, dashboards, and data sources
Security & Administration
SSO Integration
MetabaseSAML, LDAP, JWT, and Google SSO with group mapping
RedashSSO support with access control
Row/Column-Level Permissions
MetabaseGranular row-level, column-level, and collection-level permissions
RedashBasic user management and access control
Multi-Tenant Data Segregation
MetabaseNative support for one-database-per-tenant architecture
RedashNot available as a built-in feature
Platform & Ecosystem
AI Features
MetabaseMetabot AI for natural language SQL generation (add-on)
RedashNo built-in AI features
Data Modeling / Semantic Layer
MetabaseData Studio with models, metrics, segments, SQL/Python transforms
RedashNo built-in data modeling layer
Primary Language
MetabaseClojure (backend)
RedashPython (backend)
Our Verdict
Metabase and Redash are both strong open-source BI tools, but they serve different audiences. Metabase delivers a polished, enterprise-ready platform with a no-code query builder, embedded analytics, advanced permissions, and a growing AI layer. Redash remains a focused, SQL-first tool that excels at connecting to diverse data sources and letting technical teams query and visualize data with minimal overhead. Your choice depends on whether you need self-service BI for mixed-skill teams or a lean query tool for SQL-fluent analysts.
When to Choose Each
Choose Metabase if:
We recommend Metabase when you need a BI platform that serves both technical and non-technical users. The no-code visual query builder lets business stakeholders explore data independently, while the SQL editor gives analysts full control for complex queries. Metabase stands out with its embedded analytics capabilities, including a React SDK and white-labeling, making it the stronger choice for SaaS companies that need customer-facing dashboards. The granular permission system with row-level, column-level, and collection-level security gives administrators fine control over data access. Metabase Cloud offers a fully managed deployment path, and the recently introduced Data Studio provides a semantic layer with models, metrics, and transforms. With 46,900+ GitHub stars and an 8.4/10 user rating, Metabase has a larger community and a faster release cadence.
Choose Redash if:
We recommend Redash when your team is comfortable writing SQL and you want a no-frills tool to query, visualize, and share data. Redash connects to a wide range of SQL, NoSQL, Big Data, and API data sources, making it a strong fit for organizations with heterogeneous data stacks. The browser-based SQL editor with auto-complete, snippets, and schema browsing provides a productive query workflow. Redash offers a broader set of visualization types out of the box, including sankey diagrams, sunburst charts, and word clouds. As a fully open-source tool under the BSD-2-Clause license with no paid tiers, Redash has zero licensing cost for self-hosted deployments. With 28,500+ GitHub stars and backing from Databricks (which acquired Redash in 2020), the project continues to receive active development. Redash is the better pick for data teams that want a straightforward, cost-free query and dashboard tool without the overhead of a full BI platform.
This verdict is based on general use cases. Your specific requirements, existing tech stack, and team expertise should guide your final decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Redash still actively maintained after the Databricks acquisition?
Yes. Databricks acquired Redash in June 2020, and the project remains actively maintained as open-source software under the BSD-2-Clause license. The latest release (v26.3.0) shipped in March 2026, and the GitHub repository shows recent commit activity. Databricks continues to invest in Redash while integrating its technology into the broader Databricks platform.
Can Metabase be used for free?
Yes. Metabase offers a fully functional open-source edition that you can self-host at no cost. The open-source version includes the visual query builder, SQL editor, dashboards, and core security features. Paid cloud plans start at $100/mo for the Starter tier. The Enterprise plan adds priority support, advanced permissions, and additional Data Studio features at per-user pricing.
Which tool has better data source support?
Both tools support a wide range of databases, but they approach connectivity differently. Metabase offers 20+ native database connectors covering PostgreSQL, MySQL, Redshift, BigQuery, MongoDB, and other major databases. Redash supports SQL, NoSQL, Big Data, and API data sources including PostgreSQL, MySQL, BigQuery, Redshift, Snowflake, Athena, Spark SQL, and MariaDB. Redash also lets you use query results as a data source to join data across different databases, which is useful for cross-database analysis.
Which tool is better for embedding analytics into a SaaS product?
Metabase is the stronger choice for embedded analytics. It provides a dedicated React SDK for deep integration, iframe-based embedding for quick setup, and white-labeling to match your product branding. Paid plans include dynamic styling, custom click behaviors, and interactive controls ranging from view-only mode to full data discovery. Redash supports public link sharing and embeddable widgets via secret URLs, but it lacks a dedicated embedding SDK and white-labeling capabilities.