Metabase vs Tableau: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Metabase and Tableau 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 to try before committing
- • Open-source BI for business users to explore data
- • Visual question builder requiring no SQL
Tableau
Visual analytics platform
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (9.0/10 vs 8.5/10)
- • Visual analytics platform for business intelligence
- • Drag-and-drop interface for creating visualizations
| At a Glance |  Metabase |  Tableau |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Paid |
Best For | Web Analytics | Web Analytics |
Rating | 85/100 | 90/100 |
| Feature | Metabase | Tableau |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Paid |
| Editorial Score | 85 | 90 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Web AnalyticsBusiness Intelligence | Web AnalyticsBusiness Intelligence |
How Metabase and Tableau Compare
Metabase
Business intelligence for everyone
Free tier available · 85/100 score
Tableau
Visual analytics platform
Paid · 90/100 score
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Metabase has a free tier. Tableau is paid only.
Go with: Metabase
Want the highest-rated option?
Metabase: 85/100. Tableau: 90/100.
Go with: Tableau
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Tableau
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Metabase is freemium. Tableau is paid. Metabase lets you start free.
What's your use case?
Both are web analytics tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Tableau scores higher: 90/100 vs 85/100.
Key Takeaways
Tableau
- Higher score: 90/100 vs 85
- Our pick for this comparison
Metabase
- Has a free tier
The Bottom Line
Tableau (90/100) is our pick. Metabase has a free tier if you want to test without paying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Metabase or Tableau better?
Tableau scores 90/100 in our evaluation. Metabase is freemium and Tableau is paid.
What are Metabase and Tableau used for?
Metabase: Business intelligence for everyone. Tableau: Visual analytics platform.
What does Metabase cost vs Tableau?
Metabase is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Tableau is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.