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Head-to-head · Bi Platforms

Looker vs Apache Superset

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 3 checks side by side
Higher score Looker #2 in Bi Platforms 9.1/10 Pricing on request ✓ 2 of 4 features Visit Looker
Apache Superset #6 in Bi Platforms 8.6/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 4 features Try Apache Superset

Looker leads on 0 checks, Apache Superset on 1, and 2 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 3 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreLooker · 9.1/10
  • Free planonly Apache Superset

Looker scores higher on our rubric for bi platforms: 9.1 against 8.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #6.

Apache Superset offers free plan; Looker doesn't.

Looker is the better fit for organizations needing governed analytics and embedding. Apache Superset is the better fit for teams wanting free, self-hosted BI with SQL control.

  • Looker fits best

    Organizations needing governed analytics and embedding

  • Apache Superset fits best

    Teams wanting free, self-hosted BI with SQL control

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Side by side

Feature Looker 9.1/10 Visit ↗ Apache Superset 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.1 8.6
Ranking #2 in Bi Platforms #6 in Bi Platforms
Best for Organizations needing governed analytics and embedding Teams wanting free, self-hosted BI with SQL control
Pricing model Paid Free
Starting price — Free plan
Free plan — ✓ (best)
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Self-hosted Self-hosted
Platforms Web Web, Linux, macOS
Support Live chat, Phone, Tickets, Docs · 24/7 Community, Docs
Compliance SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA, SSO/SAML, 2FA SSO/SAML, 2FA
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Looker 2/4 · Apache Superset 2/4
Data modeling Not checked yet Not checked yet
Row-level security ✓ ✓
Embedded analytics ✓ ✓
Scheduled data refresh Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Deployment Hybrid Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • LookML provides a semantic model for governed data exploration.
  • Access filters and user attributes support row-level security.
  • Analytics can be embedded and delivered through scheduled reports.
  • SQL Lab supports querying alongside a no-code chart builder.
  • Offers 40+ pre-installed visualizations and interactive dashboard filters.
  • Includes row-level security, scheduled reports, and embedded dashboards.
Cons
  • Quote-based pricing makes costs less transparent.
  • Each listed edition includes one production instance and set user counts.
  • LookML and governance may be more than teams need for simple dashboards.
  • Self-hosted deployment leaves hosting and operational costs to the deploying team.
  • Setup and ongoing operation require managing the deployment environment.
  • Support is through community resources and documentation.
Our verdict

Looker is Google Cloud’s business intelligence platform for organizations that need governed data exploration, dashboards, scheduled reporting, or analytics embedded in websites and applications. Teams model data with LookML, then use…

Read the review →

Apache Superset is an open-source business intelligence and data visualization platform for analysts, data teams, and organizations exploring SQL-based data. Its self-hosted deployment and SQL Lab suit teams that want direct query control,…

Read the review →
  1. LookerBi Platforms 9.1Pricing on request
  2. Apache SupersetBi Platforms 8.6Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Looker — where it wins

    • LookML provides a semantic model for governed data exploration.
    • Access filters and user attributes support row-level security.
    • Analytics can be embedded and delivered through scheduled reports.

    Where it doesn't

    • Quote-based pricing makes costs less transparent.
    • Each listed edition includes one production instance and set user counts.
    • LookML and governance may be more than teams need for simple dashboards.

  • Apache Superset — where it wins

    • SQL Lab supports querying alongside a no-code chart builder.
    • Offers 40+ pre-installed visualizations and interactive dashboard filters.
    • Includes row-level security, scheduled reports, and embedded dashboards.

    Where it doesn't

    • Self-hosted deployment leaves hosting and operational costs to the deploying team.
    • Setup and ongoing operation require managing the deployment environment.
    • Support is through community resources and documentation.

More comparisons

All bi platforms comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update