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Head-to-head · Realtime Dashboards

Metabase vs Databox

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 1 check side by side
Higher score Metabase #5 in Realtime Dashboards 8.7/10 Free plan · 14-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 0 of 3 features Visit Metabase
Databox #8 in Realtime Dashboards 8.3/10 Free plan · 14-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 0 of 3 features Visit Databox

Metabase leads on 0 checks, Databox on 0, and 1 is even. Who comes out ahead on the 1 yes/no, price and count check where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreMetabase · 8.7/10
  • Free planboth
  • Free trialboth

Metabase scores higher on our rubric for realtime dashboards: 8.7 against 8.3 out of 10; our editors rank them #5 and #8.

Metabase is the better fit for budget-conscious teams needing flexible BI. Databox is the better fit for teams and agencies consolidating performance metrics.

  • Metabase fits best

    Budget-conscious teams needing flexible BI

  • Databox fits best

    Teams and agencies consolidating performance metrics

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Metabase 8.7/10 Visit ↗ Databox 8.3/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.7 8.3
Ranking #5 in Realtime Dashboards #8 in Realtime Dashboards
Best for Budget-conscious teams needing flexible BI Teams and agencies consolidating performance metrics
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price $65/user/yr $71/mo
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial 14 days 14 days
Free trial length 14 days 14 days · no card needed
Deployment Cloud, Self-hosted Cloud
Platforms Web Web
Support Email, Tickets, Community Live chat, Email, Docs
Compliance SOC 2, SSO/SAML SOC 2, GDPR, SSO/SAML, 2FA
Integrations 237+ integrations 130+ integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market
Features Metabase 0/3 · Databox 0/3
Streaming data sources Not checked yet Not checked yet
Custom data sources Not checked yet Not checked yet
Metric alerts Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Minimum refresh interval Not checked yet Not checked yet
Dashboard sharing Not checked yet Not checked yet
Data retention Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Choose a graphical query builder or write queries in the native SQL editor.
  • Deploy on your own infrastructure or use managed Metabase Cloud hosting.
  • Build interactive dashboards with automatic refresh at one-minute intervals.
  • Connects data from 130+ tools, spreadsheets, databases, and APIs
  • Interactive dashboards support goals, forecasts, filters, and drill-downs
  • Scheduled reports, embeds, and AI analysis support sharing and insight
Cons
  • The Open Source edition is self-hosted, so teams manage their own deployment.
  • Advanced permissions and SSO are available on Pro, not Starter.
  • Enterprise pricing is custom rather than a fixed per-user price.
  • Free plan is limited to one user, three data sources, and one dashboard
  • Free plan syncs daily at most; hourly maximum sync starts with Analyst
  • Analyst has one user; broader team capacity requires higher plans
Our verdict

Metabase is an open-source business intelligence product for teams that need to query databases, create charts and dashboards, share reports, or embed analytics in an application. Its graphical query builder gives non-SQL users a way to…

Read the review →

Databox brings business metrics from tools, spreadsheets, databases, and APIs into customizable cloud dashboards. It is aimed at individuals, growing businesses, teams, and agencies that want to monitor performance, set goals and…

Read the review →
  1. MetabaseRealtime Dashboards 8.7Free plan · 14-day trial
  2. DataboxRealtime Dashboards 8.3Free plan · 14-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Metabase — where it wins

    • Choose a graphical query builder or write queries in the native SQL editor.
    • Deploy on your own infrastructure or use managed Metabase Cloud hosting.
    • Build interactive dashboards with automatic refresh at one-minute intervals.

    Where it doesn't

    • The Open Source edition is self-hosted, so teams manage their own deployment.
    • Advanced permissions and SSO are available on Pro, not Starter.
    • Enterprise pricing is custom rather than a fixed per-user price.

  • Databox — where it wins

    • Connects data from 130+ tools, spreadsheets, databases, and APIs
    • Interactive dashboards support goals, forecasts, filters, and drill-downs
    • Scheduled reports, embeds, and AI analysis support sharing and insight

    Where it doesn't

    • Free plan is limited to one user, three data sources, and one dashboard
    • Free plan syncs daily at most; hourly maximum sync starts with Analyst
    • Analyst has one user; broader team capacity requires higher plans
  • Metabase8.7/10 · Free plan · 14-day trial

    Flexible BI with real-time dashboards, open-source self-hosting, and paid cloud plans.

    Visit MetabaseFull verdict →
  • Databox8.3/10 · Free plan · 14-day trial

    A flexible dashboard and reporting hub, with hourly refresh starting on paid plans.

    Visit DataboxFull verdict →

More comparisons

All realtime dashboards comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update