Looker vs Metabase: Complete Comparison (2026)
Updated: March 7, 20268 min read
VS
Quick Comparison
Looker
Metabase
Starting Price
Custom pricing
$500/mo (cloud)
Free Plan
No
Yes
Users
2.5K+ orgs
100K+
Founded
2012
2014
Rating
4.4/5
4.5/5
Best For
Data-driven companies wanting a governed, consiste...
Startups and teams wanting free, easy BI without a...
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
LookerMetabase
87Ease of Use92
92Features94
86Value for Money94
83Customer Support85
85Integrations87
86Mobile App88
AI Verdict
Metabase leads with a ToolScout Score of 90 vs 88 for Looker. Metabase is best suited for Startups and teams wanting free, easy BI without a data engineering team, while Looker excels for Data-driven companies wanting a governed, consistent metrics platform. Both are strong options in the Analytics & BI space.
CHOOSE LOOKER IF:
Data-driven companies wanting a governed, consistent metrics platform.
CHOOSE METABASE IF:
Startups and teams wanting free, easy BI without a data engineering team.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Looker better than Metabase?
Metabase scores 90/100 on ToolScout compared to Looker's 88/100. However, the best choice depends on your specific needs. Looker is best for Data-driven companies wanting a governed, consistent metrics platform. Metabase is best for Startups and teams wanting free, easy BI without a data engineering team.
Does Looker have a free plan?
No, Looker does not offer a free plan. Plans start from Custom pricing.
Does Metabase have a free plan?
Yes, Metabase offers a free plan. Paid plans start from $500/mo (cloud).
Can I migrate from Looker to Metabase?
Migration between Looker and Metabase depends on the specific features you use. Both tools are in the Analytics & BI category. Check each tool's import/export options for data portability before switching.