Decision comparison
Metabase vs Redash
Both products document querying and dashboards. Metabase documents self-service querying, plain-English AI queries, semantic-layer governance, granular permissions, and embedded analytics components. Redash documents SQL-focused querying, a range of visualization formats, dashboard sharing, embedding widgets, API access, and broad data-source categories. Metabase publishes plan and trial information; Redash's public documentation identifies it as open source but does not list a public price.
Redash is maintained by volunteers, not by its owner
Databricks acquired Redash in June 2020 and shut the hosted Redash Cloud service down on 30 November 2021. Databricks-funded development on the open-source project wound down afterwards, and since late 2023 it has been maintained by a small group of volunteers. It still ships: v26.3.0 was released on 2 March 2026, at roughly one release a year. Redash remains free, Apache-2.0 and self-hostable; what changed is who decides its direction and how fast it follows the databases it connects to.
Direct comparison. These are reviewed substitutes bought for the same job, so the differences below are the ones that decide between them.
All 2 are BI platforms.
Quick Comparison
| Decision factor | Metabase | Redash |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Self-service analytics, governed semantic-layer workflows, and embedded analytics | SQL querying, data visualization, dashboard sharing, and API access |
| Pricing | Community Edition is free, open-source and self-hosted, with unlimited users. Paid Metabase Cloud plans start with Starter at $100/month, or $90/month billed annually, including the first 5 users, then $6 per user/month. Pro is $575/month, or $517.50/month annually, including the first 10 users, then $12 per user/month. Enterprise is custom pricing starting at $20,000/year. Both paid plans offer a 14 days free trial. | Self-hosted free (BSD-2-Clause license) |
| Ease of Use | Visual query builder for queries without SQL, plus a SQL editor | Online SQL editor with schema browsing, click-to-insert, reusable snippets, live auto-complete, and keyboard shortcuts |
| Data Source Support | Over 20 data sources | SQL, NoSQL, Big Data, and API data sources |
| Community Size | Not available: Redash's documentation does not include comparable community metrics. | Not available: Redash's documentation does not include comparable community metrics. |
| Deployment Options | Self-hosted or Metabase Cloud; air-gapped deployment is available on Enterprise only | Not available: Redash's documentation does not describe deployment options. |
Metabase
- Best For:
- Self-service analytics, governed semantic-layer workflows, and embedded analytics
- Pricing:
- Community Edition is free, open-source and self-hosted, with unlimited users. Paid Metabase Cloud plans start with Starter at $100/month, or $90/month billed annually, including the first 5 users, then $6 per user/month. Pro is $575/month, or $517.50/month annually, including the first 10 users, then $12 per user/month. Enterprise is custom pricing starting at $20,000/year. Both paid plans offer a 14 days free trial.
- Ease of Use:
- Visual query builder for queries without SQL, plus a SQL editor
- Data Source Support:
- Over 20 data sources
- Community Size:
- Not available: Redash's documentation does not include comparable community metrics.
- Deployment Options:
- Self-hosted or Metabase Cloud; air-gapped deployment is available on Enterprise only
Redash
- Best For:
- SQL querying, data visualization, dashboard sharing, and API access
- Pricing:
- Self-hosted free (BSD-2-Clause license)
- Ease of Use:
- Online SQL editor with schema browsing, click-to-insert, reusable snippets, live auto-complete, and keyboard shortcuts
- Data Source Support:
- SQL, NoSQL, Big Data, and API data sources
- Community Size:
- Not available: Redash's documentation does not include comparable community metrics.
- Deployment Options:
- Not available: Redash's documentation does not describe deployment options.
Public signals
Verified factual signals only. Bars appear only for like-for-like metrics with five weekly assessments for every tool; missing evidence stays explicit. These signals do not establish enterprise adoption, product quality, or total cost.
| Metric | Metabase | Redash |
|---|---|---|
| Docker Hub pulls(Product adoption) | 279.2M | 103.6M |
| GitHub commits, 90d(Product adoption) | 2.3k | 76 |
| GitHub stars(Product adoption) | 50,000+ | 28,000+ |
| Search interest(Market interest) | 1 | 0 |
| Hacker News mentions, 90d(Community interest) | 11 | 1 |
| npm weekly downloads(Developer adoption) | 80.6k | Not available |
| Product Hunt comments(Community interest) | 30 | 1 |
| Product Hunt rating(Community interest) | 4.9/5 | Unavailable |
| Product Hunt reviews(Community interest) | 24 | 0 |
| Product Hunt votes(Community interest) | 314 | 9 |
| Stack Overflow questions(Community interest) | 374 | 133 |
| PyPI weekly downloads(Developer adoption) | Not available | 15.4k |
As of November 9, 2026 — updated weekly.
Health & risk evidence
Observed public-source checks for mapped package versions and repositories.
Metabase
November 9, 2026Package vulnerabilities
npm · @metabase/embedding-sdk-react@0.65.2
0 vulnerabilities
across 1 package
Repository security score
github.com/metabase/metabase
7.1/10
Redash
November 9, 2026Package vulnerabilities
PyPI · redash-toolbelt@0.1.9
0 vulnerabilities
across 1 package
Repository security score
github.com/getredash/redash
6.0/10
Interface Preview
Metabase
Redash
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Metabase | Redash |
|---|---|---|
| Querying and data sources | ||
| Query interfaces | Visual query builder and SQL editor | Online SQL editor with schema browsing, click-to-insert, snippets, live auto-complete, and keyboard shortcuts |
| Documented data-source coverage | Over 20 data sources | SQL, NoSQL, Big Data, and API data sources |
| Cross-database workflow | Not available: Redash's documentation does not describe this workflow | Query results can be used as data sources to join different databases |
| Dashboards and sharing | ||
| Dashboards | Interactive dashboards with drill-through | Dashboards that can gather information from multiple sources |
| Embedding and sharing | Embedded dashboards and analytics components; SDK for advanced setups | Dashboard secret URLs and embeddable widgets |
| API | APIs for working with data and tools | Product API access |
| Security and governance | ||
| Access controls | Granular permissions with table, row, and column access controls | SSO, access control, and user management are documented |
| Row and column security | Row- and column-level security | Not available: Redash's documentation does not specify row- or column-level security |
| Semantic layer | Governed semantic layer for canonical tables and metrics | Not available: Redash's documentation does not describe a semantic layer |
| AI and product plans | ||
| AI querying | Plain-English data queries with AI | Not available: Redash's documentation does not describe AI querying |
| Published plan information | Free Open Source, Starter, Pro, and custom-priced Enterprise plans | Open-source project; Redash's documentation does not list plans or prices |
| Trial | 14-day trial for Starter and Pro | Not available: Redash's documentation does not list a trial |
Querying and data sources
Query interfaces
Documented data-source coverage
Cross-database workflow
Dashboards and sharing
Dashboards
Embedding and sharing
API
Security and governance
Access controls
Row and column security
Semantic layer
AI and product plans
AI querying
Published plan information
Trial
Which to choose
Both products document querying and dashboards. Metabase documents self-service querying, plain-English AI queries, semantic-layer governance, granular permissions, and embedded analytics components. Redash documents SQL-focused querying, a range of visualization formats, dashboard sharing, embedding widgets, API access, and broad data-source categories. Metabase publishes plan and trial information; Redash's public documentation identifies it as open source but does not list a public price.
Best-fit scenarios
Choose Metabase if:
Metabase documents a visual query builder alongside a SQL editor, interactive dashboards, drill-through, alerts, and reports delivered through Slack, email, or HTTP. Its product information also describes a governed semantic layer for canonical tables and metrics, granular permissions, row- and column-level access controls, and multi-tenant data segregation. For product analytics, Metabase documents embedded dashboards, analytics components, and an SDK for advanced embedded setups. Its published plans include a free Open Source edition, Starter, Pro, and custom-priced Enterprise; a 14-day trial is listed for Starter and Pro.
Choose Redash if:
Redash documents an online SQL editor with schema browsing, click-to-insert, reusable snippets, live auto-complete, and keyboard shortcuts. It supports SQL, NoSQL, Big Data, and API data sources, and can use query results as data sources for joining different databases. Its documented dashboard and sharing options include visualizations, scheduled result updates, alerts, a product API, secret dashboard URLs, and embeddable widgets. Redash also identifies the product as open source.
These scenarios reflect the available product evidence. Your requirements, existing stack, and team expertise should guide the final decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Redash's documentation establish about the project?
Redash identifies itself as an open-source project. Its official product material describes a SQL editor, dashboard creation, API access, alerts, user management, and support for SQL, NoSQL, Big Data, and API data sources. Our research does not establish acquisition, release, license, or maintenance-status details.
Can Metabase be used for free?
Yes. Metabase lists an Open Source plan as Free, with unlimited users, questions, and dashboards. Its pricing page also lists more than 20 supported data sources and says users include both an internal analytics team and people using embedded analytics through a product.
Which tool has better data source support?
A like-for-like connector comparison cannot be established from the vendors' documentation. Metabase states that it connects with over 20 data sources. Redash states that it supports SQL, NoSQL, Big Data, and API data sources, and its product material says query results can be used as data sources to join different databases.
Which tool is better for embedding analytics into a SaaS product?
The public documentation describes embedded capabilities for both products, but does not support a universal ranking. Metabase documents embedded dashboards, analytics components, and an SDK for advanced setups; its Pro plan lists unlimited embedded charts and dashboards with tailored interactivity, multi-tenant analytics, and white-label readiness. Redash documents sharing dashboards by URL and embedding widgets.