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Analytics comparison

Metabase vs Apache Superset: which should you self-host in 2026?

Pick Metabase for the easiest setup and a query builder non-technical users love; pick Apache Superset for SQL-first teams that need many chart types and a permissive Apache license.

Both are open source and run on your own server. Below: a side-by-side of license, stack and features, live GitHub activity, and our verdict on who should pick which.

Metabase

metabase/metabase

50k GitHub starsLast commit Oct 6, 2026

Easy way for everyone in your company to ask questions and learn from data.

  • AGPL-3.0
  • Clojure
  • Docker
  • Actively maintained
Metabase details

Head-to-head

Metabase vs Apache Superset, side by side

Hand-checked differences first, then live numbers from GitHub, refreshed with every catalog update.

Metabase compared with Apache Superset
AspectMetabaseApache Superset
LicenseAGPL-3.0 outside the enterprise directory, which is under the Metabase Commercial LicenseApache-2.0, an Apache Software Foundation project
Language/stackClojure on the JVM, React frontendPython (Flask) backend, React frontend
ArchitectureSingle JAR or container; app database H2 by default, PostgreSQL for productionWeb app plus metadata database, with Redis and Celery workers for caching and async queries
Standout featuresPoint-and-click question builder, models, scheduled email and Slack reportsSQL Lab IDE, dozens of chart types, semantic layer, row-level security
Learning curveLow for business usersModerate to high, aimed at analysts comfortable with SQL
GitHub stars49,54775,048
Commits, last 12 months6,3785,509
Last commitOct 6, 2026Oct 6, 2026
Latest releasev0.63.19Oct 1, 20266.1.0May 13, 2026
Main languageClojurePython
Official Docker imageYesNo
Repositorymetabase/metabaseapache/superset

Swipe the table sideways to see both apps. GitHub figures come from the public API. Highlighted values are the higher of the two.

Verdict

Metabase is quicker to deploy, a single container, and friendlier for business users who do not write SQL. Superset is more powerful for data teams, with a SQL IDE, a large chart library and fine-grained security, but it needs more components to run and more expertise to use.

Best for

Choose Metabase for

Small teams that want self-serve analytics running in minutes.

Best for

Choose Apache Superset for

Data teams that write SQL and need advanced visualizations.

Deploy either in minutes

Not sure yet? Spin up a small VPS or a managed instance, try both for a week, and keep the one that fits.

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FAQ

Metabase vs Apache Superset: FAQ

Still curious? Email info@appsgit.com.

Is Superset harder to install than Metabase?

Yes. Metabase runs as a single container, while a production Superset setup usually adds a metadata database, Redis and Celery workers.

Which has more chart types?

Superset ships a larger visualization library. Metabase focuses on a smaller set of common charts that are easy to configure.

Can non-technical users use Superset?

They can explore existing dashboards and charts, but building new ones works best for people who know SQL. Metabase is easier for self-serve questions.

Which is more popular on GitHub, Metabase or Apache Superset?

Apache Superset has 75,048 GitHub stars against 49,547 for Metabase. Over the last twelve months Metabase received 6,378 commits and Apache Superset received 5,509, so Metabase is the more actively developed of the two right now. Stars measure interest, not fit, so weigh them against the differences above.

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