Hex vs Metabase
Updated June 2026 · A structured head-to-head comparison.
The verdict
Both Hex and Metabase are credible business intelligence tools, and the right pick comes down to your priorities.
Hex — Collaborative analytics notebooks with AI.
Choose Metabase if you'd rather have broader platform coverage. The simplest, fastest open-source BI.
Hex vs Metabase: side by side
| Dimension | Hex | Metabase |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free – $36/user/mo | Free – $85/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Best for | Data Teams | Startups, Smb |
| Platforms | Web | Web, Self Hosted, ApiWinner |
| Rating | 4.7/5 | 4.6/5 |
Hex key facts
- Vendor
- Hex
- Pricing
- Freemium — Free – $36/user/mo
- Free tier
- Yes
- Platforms
- Web
- Best for
- Data Teams
- Editor rating
- 4.7 / 5
- Founded
- 2019
- Headquarters
- San Francisco, CA, USA
Metabase key facts
- Vendor
- Metabase
- Pricing
- Freemium — Free – $85/mo
- Free tier
- Yes
- Platforms
- Web, Self Hosted, Api
- Best for
- Startups, Smb
- Editor rating
- 4.6 / 5
- Founded
- 2014
- Headquarters
- San Francisco, CA, USA
Frequently asked questions
Is Hex better than Metabase?
Neither is universally better — Hex edges ahead on overall rating, but the best choice depends on price, platforms, and your use case. See the side-by-side table above.
Is Hex or Metabase cheaper?
Hex is the more affordable of the two to get started, at free – $36/user/mo. Hex starts at free – $36/user/mo; Metabase starts at free – $85/mo.
Can Hex replace Metabase?
Yes for most teams — both are business intelligence tools with heavily overlapping features. The main trade-offs are pricing and platform support, covered in the comparison above.