If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve been using Metabase for a while, but you’re feeling stuck. While the software is renowned for making data accessible, it can come with drawbacks like advanced permission requirements that introduce a paid subscription.
For businesses that have stringent security protocols, the cloud model of most BI tools makes Metabase alternatives essential. As for small teams and startups, there is a growing need for tools that empower non-technical team members to create their own reports without needing to learn SQL or rely on the IT department.
DashboardFox: The Best Metabase Alternative for Secure, Self-Hosted Analytics
DashboardFox is the primary solution for anyone frustrated by Metabase’s free tier limitations and the high cost of its paid plans. This is the best option for any business that wants to fully host its own data but doesn’t want to jump through technical hurdles to do so.
Here are a few reasons why DashboardFox stands out as the best Metabase alternative.
Pay Once, Use Forever
DashboardFox uses a perpetual license pricing model. This means that you pay a one-time fee, no subscription – ever. This allows you to save in the long-term, keep costs predictable, and never stress over changing permissions, removing users, or trading off features to keep your BI tool affordable.
Maintain Full Control of Your Data
Keep your data on-premesis with self-demployment. DashboardFox runs on your network, so you don’t have to worry about third-party access. For companies with security and compliance concerns, such as GDPR and HIPAA regulations, DashboardFox is perfect for keeping data within the private network, without losing any features.
If you’re a healthcare provider that wants to analyze patient data without violating HIPAA, DashboardFox is for you. And if you are a startup that wants to keep all its data secure with no third-party visibility risks, DashboardFox gives you total control.
Empower Your Entire Team with Data
Say goodbye to endless training videos, technical errors, and IT tickets. DashboardFox provides the non-technical code-free solution to data visualization that your team needs to thrive. Marketing managers, financial professionals, and even HR can use the software to create ad-hoc reports and interactive dashboards in minutes.
See a live demo of our no-code report builder
Quick Comparison: DashboardFox vs. Metabase
| Feature | DashboardFox | Metabase |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | One-time perpetual license | Free (limited) or Recurring Subscription |
| Deployment | Self-hosted on your servers | Self-hosted or Cloud-hosted |
| Data Security | Full control of your infrastructure | Dependent on hosting choice |
| Ideal User | Non-technical business users | Analysts and developers |
| Support | Included for one year | Community or Enterprise-level (paid) |
Other Metabase Alternatives to Consider
While DashboardFox is the best fit for small to mid-size businesses looking for a more affordable Metabase alternative, there are some other options out there that could suit different organizations. These three alternatives present unique benefits worth exploring, particularly if you’re in need of enterprise solutions.
Power BI
Overview: Microsoft's business analytics tool that integrates deeply with other Microsoft products like Excel and Azure.
Best For: Large enterprises already committed to the Microsoft ecosystem and that have dedicated data analysts.
Limitations to Know: It operates on a per-user, per-month subscription model that becomes costly when providing access to many users. The desktop designer can be complex for casual users, and the on-premises version is a feature of the expensive Premium plan.
Pricing: Check out this article for more on Power BI pricing.
Tableau
Overview: A market leader in data visualization, known for creating beautiful, complex charts and graphs.
Best For: Data scientists and BI specialists who require advanced visualization capabilities and whose organizations are not sensitive to high costs.
Limitations to Know: Tableau has a steep learning curve and is one of the more expensive options. Its pricing is subscription-based, with different tiers for creating, exploring, and just viewing reports, which can create significant recurring expenses.
Pricing: Check out this article for more on Tableau pricing.
Looker
Overview: A browser-based BI platform, part of Google Cloud, that uses a proprietary modeling language (LookML) to define business logic.
Best For: Tech-focused companies with engineering resources to manage the LookML layer and who are already invested in the Google Cloud ecosystem.
Limitations to Know: It is not a self-service tool for non-technical users due to the reliance on LookML. The pricing is opaque, highly customized, and geared toward enterprise-level budgets, making it inaccessible for most SMBs.
Pricing: Pricing is custom and requires contacting the Google Sales Team.
How to Choose the Right Metabase Alternative
Consider these factors when choosing the right BI tools for your company. It’s a big decision, and you want to make sure you pick the best option that will last for years. Cost calculations and data structuring will help you determine which software is truly right for your organization.
How much do you want to spend over the next three years?
Calculate the total cost of a per-user monthly subscription for your team over 36 months versus a one-time purchase. Include the cost of adding [X] new users each year. A perpetual license helps you avoid the growing fees by offering a one-time payment solution.
Who is responsible for data security in your organization?
Do you have compliance rules or a company policy that requires business data to remain on your own private network? If so, a fully self-hosted solution is your only option. But the good news is DashboardFox doesn’t require a huge IT team to set up your network. Deployment is fast, easy, and non-technical, but if you need assistance, you have easy access to a team of support specialists.
Who needs to build the reports?
Will your BI dashboards be built by developers, or do you need your operations, marketing, and sales managers to answer their own questions without technical help? DashboardFox offers a non-technical solution that allows more people in your company to benefit from BI.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is DashboardFox a good replacement for the free version of Metabase?
DashboardFox is a powerful, reliable replacement for both free and paid Metabase. It provides the security and flexibility you need to create reports and visualize data without the add-on expenses.
How difficult is the set-up and migration process?
It’s not difficult to set up DashboardFox, with most users only taking a few minutes to complete the process. Connecting to data sources like SQL databases and spreadsheets is straightforward, and there’s support to guide you.
Contact us to schedule a free setup consultation with one of our experts.
Can DashboardFox handle the same amount of data as Metabase?
DashboardFox is entirely self-hosted, so its capabilities depend on the user’s hardware. It’s more than capable of handling the same amount of data as Metabase.
Ready to Take Control of Your BI Solution?
If you’re looking for a cost-effective, secure, and fully self-hosted business intelligence platform, DashboardFox is built for you. Make the switch from expensive subscriptions and never worry about recurring fees again.
Want to see DashboardFox in action?
Book a free live demo now or contact us for more details—discover how easy it is to empower your team with powerful analytics you truly own.