Sema
A governed semantic layer for enterprise AI analytics.
At a glance
- Editor score8.2 / 10
- PricingFree plan · 14-day trial
- Best forTeams prioritizing auditable AI analytics
- Free planYes
- Governed metricsYes
- Founded2025
- Facts checked20 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Verified joins, governed metrics, and a semantic graph
- SQL-backed conversational queries with lineage display
- Signed evidence packs, access controls, and audit logs
Where it doesn't
- Sandbox is limited to one connector, one user, and 100 chat queries monthly
- SSO, advanced governance, and federated joins start on Business
- SAML, SCIM, BYOK, and on-premises deployment require Enterprise
Our verdict on Sema
Sema is a semantic-layer platform for data and analytics teams that need governed AI analytics across databases and warehouses. It profiles schemas, monitors table health, generates an editable business glossary, verifies joins, and defines first-class metrics. Users can ask questions in plain English and receive SQL-backed charts, reports, alerts, and signals. Role-based access, column masking, append-only audit logs, and cryptographically signed evidence packs make it suited to organizations that need traceable answers and controlled access to sensitive data.
The plan structure starts with a free Sandbox for evaluating Sema against your own data. It includes one connector, one user, 100 chat queries per month, and five saved reports, but no alerts or signals. Pro adds unlimited connectors and chat, unlimited reports, schedules, alerts, and signals, plus RBAC, an audit log, email support, and a 14-day trial. Business adds SSO, advanced governance, an AI evaluation harness, federated joins, priority support, and a 99.9% SLA. Enterprise adds SAML, SCIM, custom DPA, BYOK encryption, an on-premises option with Helm, compliance evidence packs for SOC 2, HIPAA, and GDPR, and a named customer success manager.
Sema fits teams that want an auditable path from natural-language questions to SQL, charts, lineage, and evidence. Its hybrid deployment model spans web, API, and self-hosted use, with connectors for PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB, SQLite, ClickHouse, Amazon Redshift, and SQLAlchemy URI, alongside identity integrations for Okta, Microsoft Entra, Auth0, and Google Workspace. The tradeoff is that the most advanced governance, deployment, and support capabilities sit in higher tiers, while Sandbox is intentionally narrow. Teams needing governed AI analytics with evidence and lineage should consider Sema; smaller teams seeking only lightweight querying or reporting may find its governance model more than they need.
Sema pricing
Sema fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Not verified |
| Governed metrics | Yes |
| Dimensions and joins | Yes |
| Row-level security | Yes |
| Certified models | Not verified |
| Query API | Yes |
| Deployment model | Hybrid |
| Free trial | 14 days · no card needed |
| Deployment | Cloud, Self-hosted |
| Platforms | Web |
| Compliance & security | GDPR, HIPAA, SSO/SAML |
| Support | Email, Docs |
| Built for | Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 40+ integrations: PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB, SQLite, ClickHouse, Amazon Redshift … See all → |
| Pricing | Free plan · 14-day trial (source) |
| Website | semalayer.com |
| Facts checked | 20 Sep 2026 |
Sema integrations
Sema lists 40+ integrations on its own site — the 12 named here are the ones its pages call out.
- PostgreSQL
- MySQL
- MariaDB
- SQLite
- ClickHouse
- Amazon Redshift
- SQLAlchemy URI
- MCP
- Okta
- Microsoft Entra
- Auth0
- Google Workspace
Alternatives to Sema
- CubeA governed semantic layer for teams building internal and embedded analytics.8.2
- AtScaleA strong fit for enterprise teams standardizing governed metrics across BI and AI.8.2
- GoodDataA strong fit for teams building governed, embedded analytics across multiple data sources.7.2
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026
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