Looker vs dbt: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Looker and dbt 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:
Looker
Business intelligence platform
Best for you if:
- • You need business intelligence features specifically
- • Embedded analytics for your product
- • White-label dashboards in your app
dbt
Transform data in your warehouse with SQL
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (9.2/10 vs 8.6/10)
- • You want to try before committing
- • You need data visualization features specifically
- • Data transformation tool for analytics engineers
- • SQL-based modeling with version control
| At a Glance |  Looker |  dbt |
|---|---|---|
Price | Paid | Free + Paid |
Best For | Business Intelligence | Data Visualization |
Rating | 86/100 | 92/100 |
| Feature | Looker | dbt |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | 86 | 92 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Business IntelligenceData Visualization | Data VisualizationVersion Control |
How Looker and dbt Compare
Looker
Business intelligence platform
Paid · 86/100 score
dbt
Transform data in your warehouse with SQL
Free tier available · 92/100 score
Looker is a business intelligence tool. dbt is in data visualization.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
dbt has a free tier. Looker is paid only.
Go with: dbt
Want the highest-rated option?
Looker: 86/100. dbt: 92/100.
Go with: dbt
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: dbt
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Looker is paid. dbt is freemium. dbt lets you start free.
What's your use case?
Looker is a business intelligence tool. dbt is in data visualization. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
dbt scores higher: 92/100 vs 86/100.
Key Takeaways
dbt
- Higher score: 92/100 vs 86
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Looker
- Better fit for business intelligence
The Bottom Line
dbt (92/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Looker or dbt better?
dbt scores 92/100 in our evaluation. Looker is paid and dbt is freemium.
What are Looker and dbt used for?
Looker: Business intelligence platform. dbt: Transform data in your warehouse with SQL.
What does Looker cost vs dbt?
Looker is a paid tool. dbt is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.