Looker vs Metabase
Updated June 2026 · A structured head-to-head comparison.
The verdict
Both Looker and Metabase are credible business intelligence tools, and the right pick comes down to your priorities.
Looker — Modern BI and embedded analytics by Google Cloud.
Choose Metabase if you'd rather have a lower starting price (free – $85/mo) and a free plan to start on. The simplest, fastest open-source BI.
Looker vs Metabase: side by side
| Dimension | Looker | Metabase |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Custom | Free – $85/moWinner |
| Free plan | No | YesWinner |
| Pricing model | Subscription | Freemium |
| Best for | Enterprise, Data Teams | Startups, Smb |
| Platforms | Web, Api | Web, Self Hosted, Api |
| Rating | 4.4/5 | 4.6/5 |
Looker key facts
- Vendor
- Pricing
- Subscription — Custom
- Free tier
- No
- Platforms
- Web, Api
- Best for
- Enterprise, Data Teams
- Editor rating
- 4.4 / 5
- Founded
- 2012
- Headquarters
- Santa Cruz, CA, USA
Metabase key facts
- Vendor
- Metabase
- Pricing
- Freemium — Free – $85/mo
- Free tier
- Yes
- Platforms
- Web, Self Hosted, Api
- Best for
- Startups, Smb
- Editor rating
- 4.6 / 5
- Founded
- 2014
- Headquarters
- San Francisco, CA, USA
Frequently asked questions
Is Looker better than Metabase?
Neither is universally better — Metabase edges ahead on overall rating, but the best choice depends on price, platforms, and your use case. See the side-by-side table above.
Is Looker or Metabase cheaper?
Metabase is the more affordable of the two to get started, at free – $85/mo. Looker starts at custom; Metabase starts at free – $85/mo.
Can Looker replace Metabase?
Yes for most teams — both are business intelligence tools with heavily overlapping features. The main trade-offs are pricing and platform support, covered in the comparison above.