Great Expectations
Great Expectations: A flexible choice for repeatable database and pipeline validation. Ranked #2 of 28 in Database Testing Tools by our editors (9.1/10); pricing: Free plan; best for teams wanting open-source data-quality testing.
At a glance
- Editor score9.1 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forTeams wanting open-source data-quality testing
- Free planYes
- Schema migration testsYes
- Founded2018 · Cottonwood Heights, Utah, United States
- Facts checked21 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Free open-source core with Python, SQL, and Spark SQL support
- Schema checks, batch validation, Data Docs, and custom SQL Expectations
- GX Cloud adds web UI, API, RBAC, and hosted deployment options
Where it doesn't
- GX Cloud paid tiers use custom data-asset limits
- The Developer plan supports up to 3 users
- Its configuration depth may exceed the needs of simple checks
Our verdict on Great Expectations
Great Expectations is an open-source Python framework for defining declarative data-quality Expectations and validating data batches. It is designed for data engineering, analytics, and data science teams that need repeatable checks across dataframes, files, SQL databases, and distributed data systems. Its scope covers data quality assertions, schema validation, validation results, Data Docs, custom SQL Expectations, and automated actions in pipelines.
The pricing structure separates the free open-source core from GX Cloud. The Developer plan is a free GX Cloud plan with up to 5 data assets under test per month, up to 3 users, and unlimited rows per data asset. The Team plan is a paid GX Cloud plan with custom data-asset limits and up to 10 users. Enterprise adds custom data-asset limits, unlimited users, a 99.5% SLA, and HIPAA BAA availability. GX Cloud also provides user management and collaboration features, while an optional customer-environment Agent deployment supports hosted use with deployment flexibility.
Great Expectations fits teams working across SQL databases, dataframes, files, and distributed data systems, with integrations including BigQuery, Databricks SQL, Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle, PostgreSQL, Redshift, Amazon S3, Azure Blob Storage, and Google Cloud Storage. It supports both Python and SQL-oriented workflows, while automated actions and orchestrator integration help connect validation to recurring pipelines. Choose it when open-source control, schema checks, and documented validation results matter. Teams wanting only a lightweight, narrowly focused database checker may prefer a simpler tool with less configuration and fewer workflow options.
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Great Expectations pricing
All 3 Great Expectations plans and prices →
Great Expectations fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Not verified |
| Database support | AlloyDB, Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL, Citus, Databricks SQL, Microsoft SQL Server, Neon, Oracle, PostgreSQL, Redshift, Snowflake, SQLite, Trino |
| Schema migration tests | Yes |
| Stored procedure tests | Not verified |
| Data quality checks | Yes |
| Test execution | Both |
| Test language | Python, SQL, Spark SQL |
| Deployment | Cloud, Self-hosted |
| Platforms | Web, macOS, Linux |
| Compliance & security | SOC 2, HIPAA |
| Support | Community, Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 20 integrations: AlloyDB, Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL, Amazon S3, Azure Blob Storage, BigQuery, Citus … |
| Pricing | Free plan (source) |
| Website | greatexpectations.io |
| Facts checked | 21 Sep 2026 |
Great Expectations integrations
Great Expectations lists 20 integrations on its own site.
- AlloyDB
- Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL
- Amazon S3
- Azure Blob Storage
- BigQuery
- Citus
- Databricks SQL
- Google Cloud Storage
- Microsoft Fabric
- Microsoft SQL Server
- Neon
- Oracle
- Pandas
- PostgreSQL
- Redshift
- Snowflake
- Spark
- SQLite
- Trino
- Airflow
Alternatives to Great Expectations
- DatafoldA broad database testing platform for migration validation, CI/CD, and data quality monitoring.9.3
- SodaA broad testing and observability platform for teams managing data contracts.8.9
- QuerySurgeA broad enterprise data-testing suite with substantial licensing costs.8.7
See all Great Expectations alternatives →
Great Expectations vs the competition
- Great Expectations vs Datafold
- Great Expectations vs Soda
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- Great Expectations vs ContextQA Database Testing
- Great Expectations vs DbFit
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Also Ranked In
Great Expectations is ranked in 2 of our directories.
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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