Summary
Apache Superset and Metabase are two popular data analytics tools that help businesses visualize and analyze their data. While both tools offer similar features, they differ in terms of user interface, ease of use, and data visualization capabilities.
Apache Superset is a more advanced tool that is better suited for experienced data analysts, while Metabase is a simpler tool that is ideal for beginners.
If you’re looking for a business intelligence tool to help you visualize and explore your data, then Apache Superset and Metabase might be the one for you.
Both are open-source data visualization tools that offer a range of features for creating charts and dashboards. Let’s find out which one is right for you!
To start with, Apache Superset is the more popular of the two, with a large community of contributors and a comprehensive set of features for slicing, dicing, and visualizing data.
It’s also highly customizable, with a flexible architecture that allows you to add your own visualizations and integrations.
Metabase, on the other hand, is more lightweight and easier to set up, making it a good choice for smaller organizations or those with limited resources.
It offers a simple, user-friendly interface that allows you to quickly generate charts and dashboards without a lot of technical expertise.
Apache Superset and Metabase
If you are looking for a powerful data visualization tool to help you make sense of your data, you may be considering Apache Superset and Metabase. Both tools are open-source and offer robust features for business intelligence and data visualization.
What is Apache Superset?
Apache Superset is a modern, enterprise-ready business intelligence web application that makes it easy to explore and visualize your data. It was created by Airbnb and is now an Apache Software Foundation project.
Superset allows you to create interactive dashboards and charts, slice and dice your data, and share your insights with others. It supports a wide range of data sources, including SQL databases, Druid, and CSV files.
Superset has a user-friendly interface that allows you to create charts and dashboards with just a few clicks. It offers a wide range of visualization options, including bar charts, line charts, scatter plots, and more.
Image source: Apache Superset
You can also customize your charts and dashboards with a variety of options, such as colors, labels, and tooltips. Superset also offers advanced features such as SQL Lab, which allows you to write and execute SQL queries directly in the tool.
What is Metabase?
Metabase is an open-source business intelligence and data visualization tool that makes it easy to explore and analyze your data. It was created by Metabase Inc. and is designed to be user-friendly and accessible to non-technical users.
Metabase allows you to connect to a wide range of data sources, including SQL databases, MongoDB, and Google Analytics.
Metabase offers a simple, intuitive interface that allows you to create charts and dashboards quickly and easily. It offers a range of visualization options, including bar charts, line charts, and pie charts.
Image source: Metabase
You can also customize your charts and dashboards with a variety of options, such as colors, labels, and tooltips. Metabase also offers advanced features such as SQL queries and custom expressions.
Both Apache Superset and Metabase are powerful data visualization tools that can help you make sense of your data. They offer similar features and capabilities, but there are some differences between them that may make one more suitable for your needs than the other.
If you want to learn more about business intelligence (BI), I recommend our post Introduction to business intelligence (BI), or check out all of our posts related to business intelligence
In the following sections, we’ll dive deeper into the features and capabilities of each tool
Features Comparison For Metabase And Apache Superset
When choosing a business intelligence tool, it’s important to compare features to determine which one is best suited for your organization’s needs. Here’s a comparison of some of the key features of Metabase and Apache Superset.
Data Visualization
Both Metabase and Apache Superset offer interactive dashboards and charts for data visualization. However, Superset offers a wider variety of chart types, giving users more options for representing their data.
Additionally, Superset provides a rich set of visualization features for representing data for analysis, while the free version of Metabase offers only basic visualizations.
Example of some available data visualizations in Apache Superset
Image source: Apache Superset
Security Model
Metabase and Apache Superset both offer a granular security model to ensure that users only have access to the data they are authorized to view. However, Superset provides more advanced security features, such as role-based access control, which allows for more fine-grained control over user permissions.
Interface
Both Metabase and Apache Superset offer a user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate. However, Superset’s interface is more customizable, allowing users to create their own custom dashboards and reports.
Example of Apache Superset user interface
Image source: Apache Superset
Example of Metabase user interface
Image source: Metabase
Alerts
Apache Superset offers more advanced alerting capabilities, allowing users to set up alerts based on specific conditions or thresholds. Metabase, on the other hand, offers only basic alerting capabilities.
SQL Support
Both Metabase and Apache Superset support SQL databases, making it easy to connect to and analyze data from a wide variety of sources. However, Apache Superset also supports NoSQL databases, giving users even more flexibility in terms of data analysis.
Natural Language
Metabase offers natural language querying capabilities, allowing users to ask questions in plain English and receive answers in real-time. Apache Superset, on the other hand, does not currently offer this feature.
Overall, both Metabase and Apache Superset offer powerful business intelligence tools with a variety of features to help users analyze and visualize their data. When choosing between the two, it’s important to consider your organization’s specific needs and requirements to determine which tool is best suited for your use case.
Pricing and Deployment of Apache Superset And Metabase
When it comes to choosing between Apache Superset and Metabase, pricing and deployment are two important factors to consider.
Apache Superset Pricing and Deployment
Apache Superset is an open-source platform that offers free data visualization solutions to its community of users. This means that you can download and use the software for free. However, if you need additional features and support, you can opt for the Starter or Pro plans.
The Starter plan costs $85 per month and includes 5 users. After that, you pay $5 per user per month. The Pro plan costs $500 per month and includes all the features of the Starter plan, plus additional features and support.
As for deployment options, Apache Superset can be deployed on-premise or in the cloud. You can deploy it on your own servers or use a cloud-hosted service like AWS or Google Cloud. Apache Superset can also be deployed using product preset cloud, managed private cloud, or preset embedded dashboards.
Metabase Pricing and Deployment
Metabase offers community and enterprise versions of its platform. The community version is open-source and free, while the enterprise version offers additional features and support.
Metabase Cloud is a cloud-hosted service that costs $85 per month and includes 5 users. After that, you pay $5 per user per month. You can save money by choosing annual billing, which gives you a discount of at least $102 per year.
The Pro plan is an upgrade for growing teams and startups. It includes everything in the Starter plan, plus single sign-on via SAML, JWT, or advanced LDAP, advanced embedding, and whitelabeling. The pricing for the Pro plan is not publicly available and you need to contact Metabase for a quote.
Metabase can be deployed on-premise or in the cloud. You can deploy it on your own servers or use a cloud-hosted service like AWS or Google Cloud. Metabase can also be deployed using product preset cloud, managed private cloud, or preset embedded dashboards. Additionally, Metabase offers a preset API for developers who want to integrate Metabase with their own applications.
In summary, both Apache Superset and Metabase offer free and paid plans, as well as various deployment options. Depending on your needs and budget, you can choose the one that suits you best.
Documentation and Resources
When choosing between Apache Superset and Metabase, one important factor to consider is the documentation and resources available for each platform.
Apache Superset Documentation and Resources
Apache Superset has comprehensive documentation available on their website, including a Getting Started guide, User Guide, Developer Guide, and more. The documentation is well-organized and easy to navigate, making it simple for users to find the information they need. Additionally, the Superset community is active and supportive, with a Slack channel and mailing list available for users to ask questions and get help.
In addition to the official documentation, there are also a number of resources available for learning more about Apache Superset. These include blog posts, events, and podcasts. The Superset community hosts regular meetups and webinars, providing users with opportunities to connect with other users and learn more about the platform.
Metabase Documentation and Resources
Metabase also has extensive documentation available on their website, including a User Guide, Admin Guide, and API Guide. The documentation is well-written and easy to follow, making it simple for users to get started with the platform. Additionally, Metabase has a helpful community forum where users can ask questions and get support.
In addition to the official documentation, there are also a number of resources available for learning more about Metabase. These include blog posts, events, and podcasts. The Metabase team hosts regular webinars and workshops, providing users with opportunities to learn more about the platform and connect with other users.
Overall, both Apache Superset and Metabase have strong documentation and resources available for users. When choosing between the two platforms, it’s important to consider which resources will be most helpful for your specific needs.
Customers and Use Cases
When it comes to choosing between Apache Superset and Metabase, it’s important to consider the customers and use cases of each platform. Here’s a breakdown of each platform’s typical users and applications:
Apache Superset Customers and Use Cases
Apache Superset is a popular choice for data analysts, data scientists, and business intelligence (BI) professionals. It’s often used by larger organizations that have a dedicated data team. Some of the most common use cases for Apache Superset include:
- Analyzing large amounts of data to identify trends and patterns
- Creating custom visualizations to communicate data insights
- Developing dashboards to track key performance indicators (KPIs)
- Building data pipelines to automate data collection and analysis
- Integrating with other tools and platforms to create a comprehensive data ecosystem
Some of the notable customers of Apache Superset include Airbnb, Lyft, and Udemy.
Metabase Customers and Use Cases
Metabase, on the other hand, is designed with a broader user base in mind. It’s often used by smaller organizations or teams that don’t have a dedicated data team. Some of the most common use cases for Metabase include:
- Creating simple, user-friendly dashboards for non-technical users
- Generating basic reports and visualizations to communicate data insights
- Integrating with other tools and platforms to create a comprehensive data ecosystem
Metabase is known for its ease of use and low barrier to entry, making it a popular choice for startups and smaller businesses. Some of the notable customers of Metabase include Stack Overflow, Mattermost, and Appen.
Overall, both Apache Superset and Metabase have their strengths and weaknesses when it comes to customers and use cases. It’s important to carefully consider your organization’s needs and goals before making a decision between the two platforms.
Conclusion: Apache Superset Vs Metabase
When it comes to choosing between Apache Superset and Metabase, it ultimately depends on your specific needs and preferences. Both tools have their pros and cons, and it’s important to consider them carefully before making a decision.
If you’re looking for a tool that is easy to use and has a simple setup process, Metabase may be the better choice for you. Reviewers have noted that it’s easier to set up and has a more user-friendly interface overall.
On the other hand, if you need a tool that offers more advanced features and customization options, Apache Superset may be the better choice. It has a wider range of data sources and more robust visualization options, making it a great choice for more complex data analysis needs.
Here’s a quick summary of the key differences between the two tools:
| Feature | Apache Superset | Metabase |
|---|---|---|
| Data Sources | Wide range, including relational and non-relational databases | Limited to relational databases |
| Visualization Options | More advanced, with more customization options | Simpler, more limited options |
| Ease of Use | Steeper learning curve, but more advanced features | Easier to use, with a simpler setup process |
Ultimately, the choice between Apache Superset and Metabase comes down to your specific needs and preferences. Consider the features and capabilities of each tool carefully before making a decision, and choose the one that best meets your needs.
FAQ: Metabase Vs Apache Superset
Which one of Metabase and Apache Superset is easier to set up?
Metabase is known for being easy to set up. It has a simple installation process and can be up and running in a matter of minutes.
On the other hand, Apache Superset requires a bit more technical expertise to set up and configure. However, once it is set up, it offers more advanced features and customization options.
Which one of Apache Superset and Metabase has better data connectivity?
Metabase offers a larger number of data sources than Apache Superset. It is considered better for its connectivity to a range of relational and nonrelational databases, including Amazon Redshift, Google BigQuery, MongoDB, Microsoft SQL Server, and more.
Apache Superset has fewer data sources but offers more advanced options for customization and integration.
Which one of Apache Superset and Metabase is more user-friendly?
Both Metabase and Apache Superset offer user-friendly interfaces and dashboards. However, users have reported that Metabase is more intuitive and easier to use overall. It has a simpler interface and requires less technical knowledge to operate.
Apache Superset, on the other hand, offers more advanced features and customization options, which may require more technical expertise to use effectively.
Apache Superset and Metabase is more popular?
Apache Superset is the most popular open-source business intelligence platform in the world, with more GitHub stars than any other BI platform. However, Metabase also has a strong following and is widely used by businesses of all sizes.
Which one of Apache Superset and Metabase is better for small businesses?
For small businesses with limited technical expertise and data sources, Metabase may be the better option. It is easy to set up and use, offers a wide range of data sources, and is free to use.
Apache Superset, on the other hand, may be better for larger businesses with more complex data needs and a team of technical experts to manage the platform.
