Metabase vs Power BI: Choosing a data visualization system

Hi there! I'm Evgeniya Novosiletskaya. I've been an analyst at Epoch8 for over three years, diving deep into analytical solutions, data analysis, and visualization.

Every time we start a new project, we face the same question: which visualization tool should we use? Today, we’ll look at the main contenders — Power BI and Metabase. And we'll figure out how to choose between them.

There are tons of visualization tools out there, and picking the best one is like finding a needle in a haystack. Usually, we don't choose the "best" tool but the one that fits our needs. Features of one system can be both blessings and curses, depending on the task at hand.

From our experience, all systems can be split into two groups:

In our projects, we've used different tools, but we love two: Power BI and Metabase. Power BI is like an all-you-can-eat buffet of features, while Metabase is like a fast food joint — quick and easy.

In this article, we won’t declare a winner. Instead, we'll look at what makes them similar and what sets them apart. This will help us understand which tool is better for which tasks.

Metabase is an open-source tool that you can set up on your own servers. This gives you full control over the setup. It doesn't store data but connects to an existing Data Warehouse (DWH). This makes it easier to fit into your current data setup. Metabase works with many databases like MySQL, PostgreSQL, ClickHouse, BigQuery, and more. Metabase also has cloud options, but those cost extra.

Power BI is a cloud service from Microsoft. The main setup is done through a web interface using cloud resources:

Power BI easily hooks up with other Microsoft products like Azure, SQL Server, Excel, and more. It can also be set up on local servers using Power BI Report Server for companies with strict data security needs.

Metabase is free if self-hosted, but there's a paid version with more features.

Power BI is a paid tool and can be pricey, especially for big organizations with lots of users.

It's no secret: the better the source data, the easier it is to visualize in any system.

Metabase offers a range of simple visualizations like bar and pie charts, funnels, trends, etc. So, making common graphs is a breeze.

But for more complex stuff, like comparing periods, you'll need to do more work on the source data. Metabase has what you need for high-level analysis. However, if you need to highlight details on a dashboard or customize a graph, it could use some upgrades.

For example, in Metabase, you can’t compare YTD and MTD periods unless you prepare the data set or SQL query in advance, or place the periods on two separate graphs side by side.

Interactive dashboard features are also limited.

But hey, there’s good news! Metabase is always improving. The latest update lets you customize trend visualizations. Now, you can compare the current value (like the number of users or orders) with any period, custom value, goal, or formula. This feature was much needed.

Power BI is a beast when it comes to visualization. Some features might be more user-friendly in Tableau, but Power BI has a vast market for custom visualizations, allowing for almost anything. You can create complex, interactive dashboards with detailed and customizable visualizations in Power BI.

We love Metabase because you can jump from the dashboard to the source data with just one click. From any graph, you can view the source data, explore sections, calculate results with any formula, and select the best visualization—all with a few clicks, not long processes. Working with source data is easier here: you can get answers by clicking a query in Metabase without writing it manually.

Metabase has built-in functions for analysis—from average and sum to Case, Countif/Sumif, and Share for custom formulas. Advanced users can write SQL queries with variables and model data directly in Metabase.

Power BI lets you set up interactive dashboards, but analysts will likely be limited to the visualizations they build. Doing self-analysis in Power BI isn’t as straightforward.

Metabase is made for users without deep technical knowledge. The interface is easy to use, and setting up visualizations isn’t rocket science. If you’ve used similar tools before, you’ll get it from the first click. If not, an hour of training should do the trick.

Power BI is a different story. The learning curve is steep, and you’ll need time and training to use all its features.

With its simple interface and easy visualization settings, you can whip up a dashboard in Metabase in a couple of hours. Sometimes, if your data set is ready to go, it can take just minutes. Making changes is a breeze, so preparing a dashboard to answer business questions is quick and painless.

Building a dashboard in Power BI takes more time because of its rich features and many settings. At the start of a project, we often create a layout in Metabase and then move to Power BI for more complex visualizations. Development in Power BI takes 2-3 times longer than in Metabase.

The simpler the system, the easier it is to support and control. Testing dashboards in Metabase is straightforward—there are no complex structures or data connections like in Power BI. The results depend on configured formulas and filters.

Making changes is easy: build a graph and add it to the dashboard without affecting other graphs. Business users can change text, graph names, field names, or comments on their own.

In Power BI, dashboards are more complex with many interconnected features and data connections. Adding a new source or visualization can impact the entire dashboard. Thorough testing is required for each feature, from filters to visualization interactions.

Business users will need help from analysts here.

We’ve listed the main points to consider when choosing a visualization system. It’s important to think about your business goals and technical needs.

If you’re a fast-growing business needing quick answers and flexibility, Metabase might be your best buddy. If you’re already using Microsoft tools or need powerful visualization and customization, complex dashboards, and deep analysis, then Power BI is the way to go.