Looker vs Lightdash: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Looker 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:
Looker
Business intelligence platform
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.6/10 vs 8.0/10)
- • Embedded analytics for your product
- • White-label dashboards in your app
Lightdash
Open-source BI for dbt projects
Best for you if:
- • You want to try before committing
- • Lightdash is an open-source BI tool that connects to dbt projects
- • It creates dashboards and visualizations directly from dbt metrics
| At a Glance |  Looker |  Lightdash |
|---|---|---|
Price | Paid | Free + Paid |
Best For | Business Intelligence | Business Intelligence |
Rating | 86/100 | 80/100 |
| Feature | Looker | Lightdash |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | 86 | 80 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Business IntelligenceData Visualization | Business IntelligenceData Visualization |
How Looker and Lightdash Compare
Looker
Business intelligence platform
Paid · 86/100 score
Lightdash
Open-source BI for dbt projects
Free tier available · 80/100 score
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Lightdash has a free tier. Looker is paid only.
Go with: Lightdash
Want the highest-rated option?
Looker: 86/100. Lightdash: 80/100.
Go with: Looker
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Looker
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Looker is paid. Lightdash is freemium. Lightdash lets you start free.
What's your use case?
Both are business intelligence tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Looker scores higher: 86/100 vs 80/100.
Key Takeaways
Looker
- Higher score: 86/100 vs 80
- Our pick for this comparison
Lightdash
- Has a free tier
The Bottom Line
Looker (86/100) is our pick. Lightdash has a free tier if you want to test without paying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Looker or Lightdash better?
Looker scores 86/100 in our evaluation. Looker is paid and Lightdash is freemium.
What are Looker and Lightdash used for?
Looker: Business intelligence platform. Lightdash: Open-source BI for dbt projects.
What does Looker cost vs Lightdash?
Looker is a paid tool. Lightdash is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.