At a glance
| Database connectors | 18 official, including PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB, SQL Server, Oracle, SQLite, Snowflake, BigQuery, Redshift, Databricks, ClickHouse, MongoDB; community drivers for others |
| Dashboards | Dashboards with filters, auto-refresh and click behaviour |
| Reporting | Alerts and scheduled subscriptions (email, Slack, webhook) |
| Embedding | Guest-authenticated modular embeds on all plans; SSO embedding on Pro and Enterprise; full app embedding; public links |
| Semantic layer or modeling | Models with metadata; transforms that write scheduled persistent tables |
| Deployment | Self-hosted (JAR on Java 25 or Docker, PostgreSQL application database) or Metabase Cloud |
| Licensing | AGPL open source edition; commercial licence for Starter, Pro and Enterprise |
Metabase suits teams where business users and SQL analysts share one BI tool and the team wants something quick to self-host. The open source edition covers questions, dashboards, SQL and subscriptions; SSO, row and column-level permissions and interactive embedding need the paid Pro plan, so price that in if you need governance.
Overview
Metabase is a business intelligence tool from Metabase, Inc. One GitHub repository holds both the open source edition, released under the AGPL, and the commercial editions under the Metabase Commercial Software License. Business users ask questions with a graphical query builder; analysts use the native SQL editor; results go into dashboards with filters, alerts and scheduled subscriptions.
Self-hosted Metabase runs as one Java service (the docs recommend Java 25 from Eclipse Temurin) or the Docker image. The bundled H2 application database is for local use only, so production needs PostgreSQL or another supported application database. Metabase Cloud is the managed option, and the README says you can move between cloud and self-hosted.
Key features
- Graphical query builder for non-SQL users alongside a native SQL editor
- Models: curated datasets built from a SQL query or a builder question, with column metadata; the docs say transforms (scheduled persistent tables) are replacing them
- Dashboards with filters, auto-refresh and custom click behaviour
- Alerts and dashboard subscriptions by email, Slack or webhook
- Modular embedding with guest authentication on all plans; SSO-based modular embedding on Pro and Enterprise
- 18 officially supported databases, plus community drivers
- Metabot AI assistance and an MCP server, listed on the open source plan
Pros and cons
Pros
- Usable by people who do not write SQL, while still offering a native SQL editor
- Simple to self-host: one Java service plus an application database
- Published plan prices, so costs can be calculated without a quote
- Open source edition has unlimited users and includes subscriptions and alerts
Cons
- Row and column-level permissions, SSO and SSO embedding are on Pro or higher
- AGPL obligations apply if you modify the open source edition and offer it to others over a network
- No pixel-perfect paginated report layout
Pricing
The open source edition is free to self-host with unlimited users. Paid plans listed on Metabase's pricing page (USD, excluding tax): Starter USD 100 per month or USD 1,080 per year with 5 users included, then USD 6 per extra user per month (USD 65 per year); Pro USD 575 per month or USD 6,210 per year with 10 users included, then USD 12 per extra user per month (USD 130 per year); Enterprise is custom, from USD 20,000 per year. Starter and Pro have a 14-day free trial. Optional usage-based add-ons (Metabase's AI service, transforms on cloud, storage) are billed separately.
Pricing checked on the vendor's official page on 7 November 2026. Prices change; confirm before buying.
Who it is best for
Teams that want self-service BI for business users and SQL analysts in one tool, either self-hosted for free or on a published-price cloud plan.
Who should look elsewhere
- Teams that need a fully permissive licence or the deepest SQL IDE: see Metabase vs Apache Superset.
- Operational, time-series monitoring dashboards: see Metabase vs Grafana.
Verdict
Metabase is one of the easiest BI tools to put in front of business users and to self-host, and its open source edition goes further than many free tiers. Governance features such as SSO and row-level permissions sit on the Pro plan, so teams that need them should compare its published prices with commercial suites.
Frequently asked questions
Is Metabase free?
The open source edition is free to self-host with unlimited users under the AGPL. Metabase Cloud and paid features need the Starter, Pro or Enterprise plan; Starter starts at USD 100 per month with 5 users included (November 2026).
Which databases does Metabase connect to?
Metabase lists 18 officially supported databases, including PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB, SQL Server, Oracle, SQLite, Snowflake, BigQuery, Redshift, Databricks, ClickHouse and MongoDB. Community drivers cover others.
Can I embed Metabase dashboards in my app on the free edition?
Yes, with guest authentication: view-only charts and dashboards via modular embedding are available on all plans. Embedding where viewers sign in through SSO and can query is a Pro or Enterprise feature.
Sources
- Metabase pricing
- Metabase on GitHub (licences, releases)
- Metabase: connecting to databases
- Metabase: running the JAR file
- Metabase: embedding overview
- Metabase: models
Checked November 2026.
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