Looker vs Redash: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Looker and Redash 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 8.2/10)
- • Embedded analytics for your product
- • White-label dashboards in your app
Redash
Open-source data visualization and dashboards
Best for you if:
- • You want to try before committing
- • Redash is an open-source tool for querying databases and visualizing data
- • It connects to any data source and creates dashboards with SQL
| At a Glance |  Looker |  Redash |
|---|---|---|
Price | Paid | Free + Paid |
Best For | Business Intelligence | Business Intelligence |
Rating | 86/100 | 82/100 |
| Feature | Looker | Redash |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | 86 | 82 |
| 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 Redash Compare
Looker
Business intelligence platform
Paid · 86/100 score
Redash
Open-source data visualization and dashboards
Free tier available · 82/100 score
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Redash has a free tier. Looker is paid only.
Go with: Redash
Want the highest-rated option?
Looker: 86/100. Redash: 82/100.
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. Redash is freemium. Redash 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 82/100.
Key Takeaways
Looker
- Higher score: 86/100 vs 82
- Our pick for this comparison
Redash
- Has a free tier
The Bottom Line
Looker (86/100) is our pick. Redash has a free tier if you want to test without paying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Looker or Redash better?
Looker scores 86/100 in our evaluation. Looker is paid and Redash is freemium.
What are Looker and Redash used for?
Looker: Business intelligence platform. Redash: Open-source data visualization and dashboards.
What does Looker cost vs Redash?
Looker is a paid tool. Redash is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.