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Apache Superset logo

Apache Superset

Open-source data exploration and dashboard platform from the Apache Software Foundation.

Open sourceSelf-hostableBusiness intelligence tools

Updated · AppBreakup editorial · Web, Self-hosted

Is Apache Superset free?

Yes, free and open source

License:
Apache-2.0

Checked on Apache Superset's site Nov 3, 2026

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About Apache Superset

Apache Superset is a free, open-source business intelligence platform maintained under the Apache Software Foundation. It began at Airbnb and is now used by many companies as a self-hosted alternative to Tableau or Looker. Superset connects to almost any SQL database or query engine, and offers two ways to work: a no-code chart builder with dozens of visualization types, from simple line charts to geospatial maps, and SQL Lab, a full SQL editor for writing queries and browsing database metadata. Charts are combined into interactive dashboards with cross-filtering, caching and CSS theming. It has no paid tier of its own; you run it yourself with Docker or Kubernetes, or buy hosting from third-party vendors. That freedom comes with setup and maintenance work, and the interface assumes some comfort with SQL and data modelling, so it suits data teams more than non-technical business users.

Best for: Data teams comfortable with SQL who want a free, self-hosted Tableau-style platform.

Pros and cons

What works

  • Completely free under the Apache 2.0 licence
  • 40+ built-in chart types, including geospatial maps
  • Built-in SQL Lab editor alongside a no-code chart builder

Why people leave

  • You must deploy and maintain it yourself, or pay a third-party host
  • Less approachable for non-technical users than Metabase
  • No official vendor support from the project itself

Apache Superset vs Metabase, Grafana and Tableau

From each app's listing and the prices verified on its own site. A dash means we haven't verified it yet.

AttributeApache SupersetMetabaseGrafanaTableau
PricingOpen sourceOpen sourceOpen sourceFree plan + paid
Verified price—$100/month (Starter)From $19/month + usage—
Free planFree appOpen Source, unlimited users10k metric series, 50 GB logs, 14-day retentionYes
Open sourceYesYesYesNo
Self-hostableYesYesYesYes
PlatformsWeb, Self-hostedWeb, Self-hostedWeb, Self-hostedWeb, Windows, macOS, Self-hosted

Full Apache Superset vs Tableau comparison

Top Apache Superset alternatives

See all 6
  1. 1Metabase logo
    Metabase

    Also open source, but easier for non-technical users to ask questions without SQL.

    83.8
  2. 2Grafana logo
    Grafana

    Open-source dashboards that query SQL databases too, and shine for time-series and monitoring data.

    65.0
  3. 3Tableau logo
    Tableau

    Commercial, polished visual analytics with vendor support and hosted options.

    62.6
  4. 4Microsoft Power BI logo
    Microsoft Power BI

    Managed service with strong data modelling, priced per user.

    61.8
  5. 5Da
    Data Studio (Looker Studio)

    Free hosted dashboards from Google with no server to run, good for teams already using Google data.

    59.4

Why people left Apache Superset

In reviewers' own words, from reviews of the apps they moved to. These are their opinions, not ours.

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Apache Superset: common questions

What is Apache Superset?

Apache Superset: Open-source data exploration and dashboard platform from the Apache Software Foundation. Best for data teams comfortable with SQL who want a free, self-hosted Tableau-style platform. Available for Web, and you can host it yourself.

Is Apache Superset free?

Yes. Apache Superset is free, open-source software that you can host yourself.

Is Apache Superset open source?

Yes. The source code is on GitHub at apache/superset. You can also run it on your own server.

What platforms does Apache Superset run on?

Apache Superset is available for Web and Self-hosted.

What are the best alternatives to Apache Superset?

The highest-ranked Apache Superset alternatives right now are Metabase, Grafana and Tableau. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.

Apache Superset vs Metabase: what's the difference?

Both Apache Superset and Metabase are free and open source. Both run on Web.

See all 6 Apache Superset alternatives