Google Data Studio vs Metabase: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Google Data Studio and Metabase? Both are popular bi & dashboards tools. Below we compare them on pricing, free tiers, features, and pros & cons so you can pick the right fit for your stack.
Quick verdict
Both are solid bi & dashboards options. Google Data Studio is cheaper to start, but the right choice depends on the specific features and integrations you need. In our catalog, Metabase rates slightly higher (4.6 vs 4.3 out of 5).
Google Data Studio vs Metabase — Side by Side
| Google Data Studio | Metabase | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | BI & Dashboards | BI & Dashboards |
| Pricing | Free · paid from $9/user/mo | Free · paid from $100/user/mo |
| Starting price | Free tier available | Free tier available |
| Free tier | ||
| Rating | 4.3 | 4.6 |
| Best for | BI & Dashboards — bi, dashboards | BI & Dashboards — bi, dashboards |
Pros & Cons
- Free, with no user or report limits
- Best connectors for Google Analytics, Ads and Search Console
- Easy sharing for clients and teams
- Slow on large or blended data sources
- Non-Google sources often need paid partner connectors
- Limited modelling and permissions
- Non-technical people can build their own questions
- Free self-hosted edition with unlimited users
- Easy embedding in your own product
- Row-level permissions and SSO need Pro at $575/month
- Self-hosting means running and upgrading it yourself
- Less suited to heavy modelling than code-first tools
Key Features Compared
Google Data Studio
- Unlimited reports and viewers
- Google Analytics, Ads, Sheets, BigQuery connectors
- Share like Google Docs
Metabase
- Hosted by Metabase
- Email and Slack support
- 14-day free trial
Choose Google Data Studio if…
- You want a free tier to validate before paying.
- Budget is tight — paid plans start lower ($9/mo vs $100/mo).
- Free, with no user or report limits
- Best connectors for Google Analytics, Ads and Search Console
Choose Metabase if…
- You want a free tier to validate before paying.
- Non-technical people can build their own questions
- Free self-hosted edition with unlimited users
- Easy embedding in your own product
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Google Data Studio better than Metabase?⌄
Both are solid bi & dashboards options. Google Data Studio is cheaper to start, but the right choice depends on the specific features and integrations you need. In our catalog, Metabase rates slightly higher (4.6 vs 4.3 out of 5).
What is the difference between Google Data Studio and Metabase?⌄
Google Data Studio — Google's free report and dashboard builder, formerly Looker Studio, with native connectors to Google Analytics, Ads, Sheets and BigQuery. Metabase — Open-source BI that non-technical people can use: ask questions without SQL, build dashboards and embed them, self-hosted for free. Both are bi & dashboards tools; the comparison table above breaks down pricing, free tiers, and what each is best for.
Google Data Studio vs Metabase: which is cheaper?⌄
Google Data Studio pricing: Free · paid from $9/user/mo. Metabase pricing: Free · paid from $100/user/mo. Confirm current pricing on each tool's official site, as plans change.
Which is rated higher, Google Data Studio or Metabase?⌄
In our catalog, Google Data Studio rates 4.3 out of 5 and Metabase rates 4.6 out of 5, so Metabase has a slight edge on reviews.
See more options in our guide to the best bi & dashboards tools for startups.
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