Dynamically query APIs, code, and cloud resources with SQL for Zero-ETL insights.
Visit WebsiteFreeVisit Website
Tracked since2026
0 reviews trackedThe Bottom Line
Entry price
Free, no paid tier
Biggest pro
SQL for cloud APIs
Biggest con
Learning curve
TL;DR - Steampipe
- Queries cloud APIs and other data sources using SQL.
- Provides a Zero-ETL approach for real-time data access.
- Offers a vast plugin library for diverse data integrations.
Pricing: Free forever
Best for: Individuals & startups
What is Steampipe?
Steampipe is an open-source data-access layer that allows users to query cloud APIs, code, and other data sources using standard SQL. It eliminates the need for complex ETL processes by providing a 'Zero-ETL' approach, treating live cloud configurations and other data as a dynamic database. This enables developers, security professionals, and operations teams to gain real-time insights without syncing or relying on outdated data.
The platform leverages a vast library of plugins (over 500) to connect to various services like AWS, Azure, GCP, and many others, organizing their metadata into discoverable SQL tables. This unified SQL interface simplifies tasks such as compliance auditing, security posture assessment, cost optimization, and operational troubleshooting. Steampipe can be used as a CLI tool, or integrated as a PostgreSQL FDW or SQLite extension, making it a versatile tool for anyone needing to analyze and manage their cloud infrastructure and API data efficiently.
Available on: Web, macOS, Linux, Windows
Pros & Cons
Pros
- SQL for cloud APIs
- Good plugins
- Open source
- Active development
- Good documentation
Cons
- Learning curve
- Niche use case
- Resource usage
- Plugin quality varies
- Still maturing
Key Features
Cloud SQL queriesMulti-cloudAPI as tablesDashboardsCompliance checksOpen source
Pricing Plans
Free TrialPricing checked Jul 11, 2026
Open Source
Free
- Self-hosted
- SQL for cloud APIs
- 140+ plugins
- Full community support
Turbot Pipes Developer
Free
- Free cloud hosting
- No credit card required
- Personal workspaces
- Community support
Turbot Pipes Team
Custom
- Team workspaces
- Usage-based pricing
- 800+ dashboards
- Priority support
Reviews
$99Free with your review
Write a reviewReview Steampipe, get a free AI guide
Share your experience and we will send you Improve Your Thinking Patterns Using ChatGPT, free.
Best Steampipe Alternatives
Top alternatives based on features, pricing, and user needs.
TableauPaid
See and understand data with beautiful, drag-and-drop visualizations
Microsoft Power BIFreemium
Visualize data, share insights, and ask questions with natural language
MetabaseFreemium
Business intelligence for everyone
Apache SupersetFree
Open-source business intelligence and data visualization
CloudQueryFreemium
Open-source cloud asset inventory
Still deciding?
Most buyers shortlist 2 or 3 tools before committing. Pull a side-by-side comparison or browse the full alternatives shortlist below.
Explore More
Steampipe FAQ
How does Steampipe facilitate compliance auditing for cloud resources?
Steampipe allows users to query live cloud configurations and other data using standard SQL, which simplifies tasks like compliance auditing. By organizing metadata into discoverable SQL tables, it enables real-time insights for assessing security posture and ensuring adherence to policies.
Which teams benefit most from using Steampipe?
Developers, security professionals, and operations teams are the primary beneficiaries of Steampipe. It helps them gain real-time insights into cloud infrastructure and API data for tasks such as security posture assessment, cost optimization, and operational troubleshooting.
How does Steampipe compare to CloudQuery?
Steampipe, like CloudQuery, allows users to query cloud APIs and resources using SQL. However, Steampipe emphasizes a 'Zero-ETL' approach by treating live cloud configurations as a dynamic database, eliminating the need for complex ETL processes.
What kind of limitations should users be aware of when adopting Steampipe?
Users should be aware that Steampipe has a learning curve and can be resource-intensive. Additionally, while it offers a vast library of plugins, the quality of these plugins can vary, and the product is still maturing.
How is Steampipe priced?
Steampipe is free to use, as it is an open-source data-access layer. There is no paid plan required to utilize its features for querying cloud APIs, code, and other data sources with SQL.
Can Steampipe integrate with existing database systems?
Yes, Steampipe can be integrated as a PostgreSQL FDW (Foreign Data Wrapper) or a SQLite extension. This versatility allows it to connect with existing database systems and extend their querying capabilities to cloud resources and APIs.
How does Steampipe achieve 'Zero-ETL' insights?
Steampipe achieves 'Zero-ETL' by treating live cloud configurations and other data as a dynamic database. This approach eliminates the need for traditional ETL processes, allowing users to gain real-time insights without syncing or relying on outdated data.
Source: steampipe.io