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Head-to-head · Dashboards

Tableau vs Metabase

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 3 checks side by side
Higher score Tableau #1 in Dashboards 9.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 3 features Visit Tableau
Metabase #6 in Dashboards 8.8/10 Free plan · 14-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 2 of 3 features Visit Metabase

Tableau leads on 0 checks, Metabase on 0, and 3 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 scoreTableau · 9.4/10
  • Free planboth
  • Free trialonly Metabase

Tableau scores higher on our rubric for dashboards: 9.4 against 8.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #6.

Tableau is the better fit for teams needing flexible visual analytics at scale. Metabase is the better fit for small teams seeking affordable self-service analytics.

  • Tableau fits best

    Teams needing flexible visual analytics at scale

  • Metabase fits best

    Small teams seeking affordable self-service analytics

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 Tableau 9.4/10 Visit ↗ Metabase 8.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.4 8.8
Ranking #1 in Dashboards #6 in Dashboards
Best for Teams needing flexible visual analytics at scale Small teams seeking affordable self-service analytics
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price $15/user/mo $65/user/yr
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — 14 days
Deployment Cloud, Self-hosted, Desktop, Mobile Cloud, Self-hosted
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android Web
Support Tickets, Community, Docs Email, Tickets, Community
Compliance SOC 2, GDPR, HIPAA, PCI DSS SOC 2, SSO/SAML
Integrations 10 integrations 237+ integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Tableau 2/3 · Metabase 2/3
Embedded analytics ✓ ✓
Natural-language queries ✓ ✓
Self-hosted option Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Data connectors Not checked yet Not checked yet
Dashboard sharing Not checked yet Not checked yet
Data refresh Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Connects to cloud and on-premises data with live or scheduled refreshes
  • Supports interactive dashboards, web authoring, and embedded analytics
  • Offers cloud, self-managed, desktop, and mobile deployment options
  • Graphical query builder and native SQL editor serve different skill levels.
  • Starter includes managed hosting and unlimited queries, charts, and dashboards.
  • Pro adds advanced permissions, single sign-on, and interactive embedding.
Cons
  • Creator and viewer capabilities are priced as separate roles
  • Tableau+ requires contacting sales
  • Tableau Agent in Pulse is limited to Pulse metrics and is a Tableau+ feature
  • Advanced permissions and SSO require the Pro plan.
  • Starter embedding is limited to basic dashboards and visualizations.
  • Enterprise pricing is custom rather than a set per-user price.
Our verdict

Tableau is a business intelligence and visual analytics platform for analysts, data scientists, executives, and business users. It brings data connections, preparation, interactive dashboards, web authoring, collaboration, governance, and…

Read the review →

Metabase brings database queries, charts, and dashboards together in an open-source business intelligence product. Its graphical query builder makes analysis accessible to people who do not write SQL, while a native SQL editor gives…

Read the review →
  1. TableauDashboards 9.4Free plan
  2. MetabaseDashboards 8.8Free plan · 14-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Tableau — where it wins

    • Connects to cloud and on-premises data with live or scheduled refreshes
    • Supports interactive dashboards, web authoring, and embedded analytics
    • Offers cloud, self-managed, desktop, and mobile deployment options

    Where it doesn't

    • Creator and viewer capabilities are priced as separate roles
    • Tableau+ requires contacting sales
    • Tableau Agent in Pulse is limited to Pulse metrics and is a Tableau+ feature

  • Metabase — where it wins

    • Graphical query builder and native SQL editor serve different skill levels.
    • Starter includes managed hosting and unlimited queries, charts, and dashboards.
    • Pro adds advanced permissions, single sign-on, and interactive embedding.

    Where it doesn't

    • Advanced permissions and SSO require the Pro plan.
    • Starter embedding is limited to basic dashboards and visualizations.
    • Enterprise pricing is custom rather than a set per-user price.
  • Tableau9.4/10 · Free plan

    Flexible dashboards and data connections, with role-based plans for creators, editors, and viewers.

    Visit TableauFull verdict →
  • Metabase8.8/10 · Free plan · 14-day trial

    A flexible dashboard tool with a free self-hosted edition and cloud plans from $6 per user monthly.

    Visit MetabaseFull verdict →

More comparisons

All dashboards comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update