dbt vs Lightdash: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between dbt and Lightdash comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
By Toolradar Team · Last updated February 28, 2026 · Methodology
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
dbt
Transform data in your warehouse with SQL
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (9.2/10 vs 8.0/10)
- • You need data visualization features specifically
- • Data transformation tool for analytics engineers
- • SQL-based modeling with version control
Lightdash
Open-source BI for dbt projects
Best for you if:
- • You need business intelligence features specifically
- • Lightdash is an open-source BI tool that connects to dbt projects
- • It creates dashboards and visualizations directly from dbt metrics
| At a Glance |  dbt |  Lightdash |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Free + Paid |
Best For | Data Visualization | Business Intelligence |
Rating | 92/100 | 80/100 |
| Feature | dbt | Lightdash |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | 92 | 80 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Data VisualizationVersion Control | Business IntelligenceData Visualization |
How dbt and Lightdash Compare
dbt
Transform data in your warehouse with SQL
Free tier available · 92/100 score
Lightdash
Open-source BI for dbt projects
Free tier available · 80/100 score
dbt is a data visualization tool. Lightdash is in business intelligence.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are freemium. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: dbt
Want the highest-rated option?
dbt: 92/100. Lightdash: 80/100.
Go with: dbt
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: dbt
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are freemium. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
dbt is a data visualization tool. Lightdash is in business intelligence. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
dbt scores higher: 92/100 vs 80/100.
Key Takeaways
dbt
- Higher score: 92/100 vs 80
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Lightdash
- Better fit for business intelligence
The Bottom Line
dbt (92/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is dbt or Lightdash better?
dbt scores 92/100 in our evaluation. Both are freemium.
What are dbt and Lightdash used for?
dbt: Transform data in your warehouse with SQL. Lightdash: Open-source BI for dbt projects.
What does dbt cost vs Lightdash?
dbt is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Lightdash is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.