Metabase vs Qlik Sense
Updated June 2026 · A structured head-to-head comparison.
Associative analytics and BI.
The verdict
Both Metabase and Qlik Sense are credible business intelligence tools, and the right pick comes down to your priorities.
Choose Metabase if you want a lower starting price (free – $85/mo), a free plan to start on and a higher overall rating (4.6/5). The simplest, fastest open-source BI.
Choose Qlik Sense if you'd rather have a longer free trial (30 days). Associative analytics and BI.
Metabase vs Qlik Sense: side by side
| Dimension | Metabase | Qlik Sense |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free – $85/moWinner | Custom |
| Free plan | YesWinner | No |
| Free trial | — | 30 daysWinner |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Subscription |
| Best for | Startups, Smb | Enterprise, Data Teams |
| Platforms | Web, Self Hosted, Api | Web, Windows |
| Rating | 4.6/5Winner | 4.3/5 |
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
Qlik Sense key facts
- Vendor
- Qlik
- Pricing
- Subscription — Custom
- Free tier
- Free trial (30 days)
- Platforms
- Web, Windows
- Best for
- Enterprise, Data Teams
- Editor rating
- 4.3 / 5
- Founded
- 1993
- Headquarters
- King of Prussia, PA, USA
Frequently asked questions
Is Metabase better than Qlik Sense?
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 Metabase or Qlik Sense cheaper?
Metabase is the more affordable of the two to get started, at free – $85/mo. Metabase starts at free – $85/mo; Qlik Sense starts at custom.
Can Metabase replace Qlik Sense?
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.