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Head to head · 2026

Metabase vs Mode

Pricing, free plans, ratings, features, pros and cons, side by side. Where one comes out ahead, we mark it.

Metabase

Metabase AI answers natural-language questions on every tier - including the free, self-hosted open-source edition -…

3.8Free

Visit Metabase (opens Metabase in a new tab)

Mode

Now a ThoughtSpot subsidiary, following a 2023 acquisition

4.3Free

Visit Mode (opens Mode in a new tab)

Who comes out ahead

Based only on the facts in our directory. The right pick still depends on the job you need done.

  • Lower starting price

    Not comparable

    Not comparable: Metabase does not list a price

  • Free plan

    Tie

    Both have one

  • Higher rating

    Mode

    3.8 against 4.3

  • Same job?

    Yes

    Both are Data and Analytics tools

Side by side

Compared onMetabaseMode
Our rating3.84.3Better
Starts atFreeFree
Free planYesYes
CategoryData and AnalyticsData and Analytics
PlansFreeFree
Key features
  • Metabase AI - natural-language querying on every tier, including free
  • AI-guided exploration with drill-through root-cause analysis
  • MCP server integration for broader AI workflows
  • Semantic layer (Data Studio) grounding both human and AI queries
  • 50+ database connectors with no-code builder plus full SQL editor
  • SQL and Python notebooks for code-first analysis
  • Acquired by ThoughtSpot in 2023 for $200 million
  • Now a wholly owned ThoughtSpot subsidiary
  • Combined with ThoughtSpot's natural-language exploration capabilities
  • Free tier for individual use
Pros
  • AI querying available even on the free, self-hosted open-source tier
  • Inspectable, verifiable queries address the black-box trust problem in AI analytics
  • Broad database connector support avoids vendor lock-in
  • Long-established, proven code-first analyst workflow
  • Now backed by ThoughtSpot's broader platform and resources
  • Free tier available for individual use
Cons
  • Pro and Enterprise tier pricing isn't shown on the landing page
  • Self-hosted open source requires your own infrastructure and maintenance
  • Full semantic-layer value requires upfront metric curation work in Data Studio
  • No longer an independent company, product direction now follows ThoughtSpot's roadmap
  • Team-scale features require a paid plan
  • Overlaps with ThoughtSpot's own platform, worth comparing both directly
CompanyMetabaseMode Analytics, founded 2013

Prices come from each vendor's pricing page, last checked 20260824. Check the vendor before you buy.

FAQ

Questions people ask

Is Metabase better than Mode?

In our reviews Metabase scores 3.8 and Mode scores 4.3. The better pick depends on the job. Metabase: Metabase AI answers natural-language questions on every tier - including the free, self-hosted open-source edition - with inspectable, verifiable queries. Mode: Now a ThoughtSpot subsidiary, following a 2023 acquisition.

Which is cheaper, Metabase or Mode?

Metabase: free. Mode: free.

Do Metabase and Mode have free plans?

Yes, both have a free plan.

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