Metabase vs Microsoft Power BI
Updated June 2026 · A structured head-to-head comparison.
Business analytics by Microsoft.
The verdict
Both Metabase and Microsoft Power BI are credible business intelligence tools, and the right pick comes down to your priorities.
Metabase — The simplest, fastest open-source BI.
Microsoft Power BI — Business analytics by Microsoft.
Metabase vs Microsoft Power BI: side by side
| Dimension | Metabase | Microsoft Power BI |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free – $85/mo | Free – $10/user/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Subscription |
| Best for | Startups, Smb | Smb, Enterprise, Microsoft 365 Users |
| Platforms | Web, Self Hosted, Api | Web, Windows |
| Rating | 4.6/5 | 4.5/5 |
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
Microsoft Power BI key facts
- Vendor
- Microsoft
- Pricing
- Subscription — Free – $10/user/mo
- Free tier
- Yes
- Platforms
- Web, Windows
- Best for
- Smb, Enterprise, Microsoft 365 Users
- Editor rating
- 4.5 / 5
- Founded
- 2015
- Headquarters
- Redmond, WA, USA
Frequently asked questions
Is Metabase better than Microsoft Power BI?
Neither is universally better — Metabase 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 Metabase or Microsoft Power BI cheaper?
Metabase is the more affordable of the two to get started, at free – $85/mo. Metabase starts at free – $85/mo; Microsoft Power BI starts at free – $10/user/mo.
Can Metabase replace Microsoft Power BI?
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.