Metabase vs Lightdash: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Metabase 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:
Metabase
Business intelligence for everyone
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.5/10 vs 8.0/10)
- • You need web analytics features specifically
- • Open-source BI for business users to explore data
- • Visual question builder requiring no SQL
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 |  Metabase |  Lightdash |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Free + Paid |
Best For | Web Analytics | Business Intelligence |
Rating | 85/100 | 80/100 |
| Feature | Metabase | Lightdash |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | 85 | 80 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Web AnalyticsBusiness Intelligence | Business IntelligenceData Visualization |
How Metabase and Lightdash Compare
Metabase
Business intelligence for everyone
Free tier available · 85/100 score
Lightdash
Open-source BI for dbt projects
Free tier available · 80/100 score
Metabase is a web analytics tool. Lightdash is in business intelligence.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are freemium. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Metabase
Want the highest-rated option?
Metabase: 85/100. Lightdash: 80/100.
Go with: Metabase
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Metabase
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?
Metabase is a web analytics tool. Lightdash is in business intelligence. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Metabase scores higher: 85/100 vs 80/100.
Key Takeaways
Metabase
- Higher score: 85/100 vs 80
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Lightdash
- Better fit for business intelligence
The Bottom Line
Metabase (85/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Metabase or Lightdash better?
Metabase scores 85/100 in our evaluation. Both are freemium.
What are Metabase and Lightdash used for?
Metabase: Business intelligence for everyone. Lightdash: Open-source BI for dbt projects.
What does Metabase cost vs Lightdash?
Metabase is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Lightdash is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.