Microsoft Power BI Desktop vs Metabase Comparison
Microsoft Power BI Desktop
Starting at Contact for pricing
- Free Trial
- Enterprise
- Large Enterprises
Microsoft Power BI Desktop helps you uncover hidden business value by quickly accessing actionable insights. Streamline your data-preparation tasks with powerful modeling tools while regaining hours in your day through t…
Metabase
Starting at $100 /Month
- Free Trial
- Large Enterprises
- Medium Business
Metabase helps brands access comprehensive insights on their business performance. Through tables, bar graphs and other visualisations, users can zoom in on the data, monitor subscriptions and review it interactively wit…
Metabase leads on user satisfaction with a 4.4-star rating across 116 reviews.
Microsoft Power BI Desktop vs Metabase — at a glance
| Feature | Microsoft Power BI Desktop | Metabase |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.3 / 5 | 4.4 / 5 |
| Reviews | 1,137 | 116 |
| Starting price | Contact for pricing | $100 /Month |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Free version | No | No |
| Best for | Enterprise, Large Enterprises | Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business |
| Category | Business Intelligence Software | Analytics Platforms Software |
| Platforms | — | SaaS/Web/Cloud, Installed - Mac |
| API | — | Available |
| Support modes | — | Online |
| Certifications | SOC 2 | GDPR |
| Data residency | Global | US |
Key differences between Microsoft Power BI Desktop and Metabase
- Pricing: Metabase starts at $100 /Month. Microsoft Power BI Desktop pricing is not publicly listed.
- Target audience: Microsoft Power BI Desktop is built for Enterprise and Large Enterprises, while Metabase targets Large Enterprises and Medium Business.
- User satisfaction: Metabase scores higher with a 4.4-star average.
Microsoft Power BI Desktop vs Metabase — find the better fit before you commit.
Which tool fits your team best
Which is actually cheaper for your team size
Where each product wins, per real buyers
Most Business Intelligence Software tools look identical on paper. This comparison cuts to the differences that matter — pricing structure, team fit, and what real buyers found after signing up.
Biggest differences
Features
Pricing
Buying details
Security
Buyer feedback
Integrations
Product tour
Other options
Talk to an expert Talk to an expert |
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Biggest differences
Start here before you go deeper into features.
Enterprise, Large Enterprises
Best for flexible, open-source BI with interactive dashboards and SQL querying.
- You need an open-source analytics platform customizable via community contributions.
- Your team requires integration with multiple external databases like MySQL or Redshift.
- You want interactive dashboards with audit logs to monitor data usage and changes.
- Your organization demands advanced analytics or predictive modeling capabilities.
- You require enterprise-grade security, compliance features, or extensive vendor support.
Microsoft Power BI Desktop typically suits Enterprise and Large Enterprises. Metabase tends to fit Large Enterprises and Medium Business better. The right choice depends on your team size, workflow, and whether a free trial matters.
Description | Microsoft Power BI Desktop helps you uncover hidden business value by quickly accessing actionable insights. Streamline your data-preparation tasks with powerful modeling tools while ... Read More about Microsoft Power BI Desktop | Metabase helps brands access comprehensive insights on their business performance. Through tables, bar graphs and other visualisations, users can zoom in on the data, monitor subscriptions ... Read More about Metabase |
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Entry Level Pricing |
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Free Trial Availability |
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SpotScoreWhat's this? ↗ | 8.1/10 | Not Available |
User RatingsBased on verified Spotsaas reviews | ||
Best Company Size | — | Small BusinessMedium Business |
Get pricing help | Get pricing help |
Software Demo
Demo |
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How do Microsoft Power BI Desktop and Metabase Compare on Features?
Total Features | 5 Features | 9 Features |
|---|---|---|
Unique Features | No unique features | No unique features |
Get Quote | Get Quote |
Compare Microsoft Power BI Desktop and Metabase on pricing
Review starting price, plan structure, and free-trial access side by side so you can see which option fits your budget and buying process.
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Pricing Page | Pricing information not available |  |
Other Details
Organization Types supported |
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Platforms Supported |
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Modes of support |
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API Support |
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Get help choosing | Get help choosing |
Security & Compliance
Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.
SOC 2 | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
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HIPAA | ✗ No | ✗ No |
GDPR | — | ✓ Yes |
ISO 27001 | — | ✗ No |
Single Sign-On (SSO) | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Multi-Factor Auth (MFA) | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
Data Encryption | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Audit Logs | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Data Residency | 🌐 Global | 🇺🇸 US |
Microsoft Power BI Desktop User Reviews & Rating Comparison
User Ratings | ||
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Rating Distribution | ||
Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI | Buyer sentiment Buyer sentiment is positive across 25 reviews, with strong overall satisfaction. What buyers like
Common complaints
| Buyer sentiment Users appreciate Metabase's ease of use and flexibility but note limitations in advanced features and occasional complexity for non-technical users. What buyers like
Common complaints
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Pros and Cons |
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Positive Reviews | No reviews available for the product | No reviews available for the product |
List of Customers
Customers |  OSIsoft  Fordham University |  Thomson Reuters  gojek  Bill |
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Media and Screenshots
Screenshots |  3 Screenshots |  2 Screenshots |
|---|---|---|
Videos |  1 Videos |  1 Videos |
Top Alternatives to Microsoft Power BI Desktop and Metabase in 2026
Alternatives |
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Disclaimer: This research has been collated from a variety of authoritative sources. We welcome your feedback at [email protected].
Frequently asked questions
- Which is better, Microsoft Power BI Desktop or Metabase?
- Metabase edges out the other on user ratings (4.4 vs 4.3). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
- Do Microsoft Power BI Desktop and Metabase offer a free trial?
- Yes, both Microsoft Power BI Desktop and Metabase offer a free trial.
- What is the starting price of Microsoft Power BI Desktop vs Metabase?
- Microsoft Power BI Desktop starts at Contact for pricing. Metabase starts at $100 /Month.
- What are the top alternatives to Microsoft Power BI Desktop?
- Top alternatives to Microsoft Power BI Desktop include Entrinsik Informer, Tableau, Microsoft Power BI, Dundas BI, QlikView.
- What are the top alternatives to Metabase?
- Top alternatives to Metabase include DashThis, Grafana, Tableau, Looker, Microsoft Power BI.