Metabase review

Metabase is the low-cost route to dashboards for a team that already has a SQL database. The Open Source edition is free with unlimited users, unlimited questions and dashboards, 20+ supported data sources and the option to ask questions with AI on your preferred model, and it includes an MCP server. Users can write SQL or build questions by clicking, which suits mixed teams of analysts and managers. The hosted Starter plan costs $100 per month with the first 5 users included and $6 per extra user per month, and adds two-factor authentication and email or chat support. Pro, at $575 per month with 10 users, adds row and column level permissions, SSO, caching controls, usage auditing and multi-tenant embedding. The limits: self-hosting means running the server yourself, governance features cost noticeably more, and Metabase expects clean data in a database rather than preparing it for you.

Who it is for

Small teams with a SQL database that want low-cost dashboards and unlimited users.

Price

Open Source free to self-host; Starter $100 per month with 5 users, then $6 per user.

$100 / month $1,080 / year
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 6, 2026.

Key features

• Write SQL or explore data just by clicking
• Unlimited questions and dashboards
• Ask questions with AI on your preferred model, plus an MCP server
• 20+ supported data sources
• Row and column level permissions, SSO and embedding on Pro

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Open Source edition is free with unlimited users
• Strength: Starter includes 5 users for $100 per month
• Strength: Click-based questions let non-SQL users explore data
• Weakness: Self-hosting means you run and update the server
• Weakness: Row and column permissions and SSO need the $575 Pro plan
• Weakness: Needs a database to connect to; it is not a data pipeline tool

Key facts

• Plans: Open Source free; Starter $100 per month; Pro $575 per month
• Users: Starter includes 5 users, then $6 per user per month; Pro includes 10
• Free trial: 14 days on cloud plans

Where it ranks

Metabase is No. 4 in our Best Business Intelligence Tools verdict.