All comparisons

Metricly vs Lightdash

Both are built for dbt teams, but Metricly is AI-first with managed hosting while Lightdash offers open-source flexibility. Choose based on your priorities.

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M

Metricly

AI-native BI platform built on MetricFlow. Ask questions in natural language, get instant dashboards. Works with your existing dbt semantic layer at a fraction of the cost.

L

Lightdash

Open-source BI tool built for dbt users. Offers self-hosted deployment and its own metrics layer. Popular with teams who want full control over their BI infrastructure.

Feature comparison

Feature
Metricly
Lightdash
dbt integration

Both built for dbt users

MetricFlow support

Lightdash uses its own metrics layer

Natural language queries

Ask questions in plain English

AI-generated insights

Automatic trend detection

Self-service dashboards
Open source option

Lightdash is Apache 2.0 licensed

Self-hosted option

Lightdash can be self-hosted

Managed cloud hosting
Version-controlled dashboards

Git-based workflow

Setup time

Time to first dashboard

< 1 hour
1-2 hours
BigQuery support
Snowflake support

Why teams choose Metricly

Metricly combines the power of your dbt semantic layer with AI-native analytics, making data accessible to everyone on your team.

AI-native experience

Ask questions in natural language and get instant answers. Metricly understands your data model and generates accurate queries - no SQL or chart-building required.

Native MetricFlow support

Metricly uses the official dbt semantic layer (MetricFlow), so your metrics stay in sync with dbt Labs standards. Lightdash uses a separate metrics layer.

Zero infrastructure overhead

Fully managed cloud service. No Docker, Kubernetes, or DevOps required. Connect your data and start building dashboards immediately.

Faster time to value

With AI-powered queries and pre-built templates, teams get insights faster. No need to train business users on SQL or chart configuration.

Pricing comparison

M

Metricly

From $49/user/mo

Fully managed cloud service with AI features included. Team plan at $99/user/mo includes unlimited users. No infrastructure to manage.

L

Lightdash

Free (self-hosted)

Open source and free to self-host (you manage infrastructure). Lightdash Cloud starts at $350/month for 10 users. Enterprise features require higher tiers.

When to choose each tool

Choose Metricly if you...

  • Want AI-powered natural language queries
  • Prefer fully managed cloud hosting
  • Use MetricFlow for your semantic layer
  • Want the fastest path to insights
  • Need to empower non-technical users
  • Value simplicity over customization

Choose Lightdash if you...

  • Need to self-host for compliance reasons
  • Want an open-source solution you can modify
  • Have DevOps resources to manage infrastructure
  • Prefer to avoid any vendor lock-in
  • Already use Lightdash and are happy with it
  • Need features specific to the open-source version

Metricly vs Lightdash FAQ

No, Metricly is a managed SaaS product. While we use open-source MetricFlow for the semantic layer, the Metricly platform itself is proprietary. This allows us to focus on AI features and managed infrastructure rather than open-source maintenance.
Currently, Metricly is cloud-only. We offer enterprise deployments with dedicated infrastructure and SOC 2 compliance. If you need on-premise deployment, Lightdash self-hosted may be a better fit.
Both tools integrate with dbt, but differently. Metricly uses MetricFlow, the official dbt semantic layer. Lightdash has its own metrics layer that reads from your dbt models. Metricly approach means your metrics work the same way as dbt Cloud.
Both are relatively easy. Metricly is slightly faster since there is no infrastructure to deploy. Lightdash self-hosted requires Docker or Kubernetes setup. Lightdash Cloud is comparable to Metricly for initial setup.
Metricly is built AI-first with natural language queries, automatic insights, and smart suggestions. Lightdash is more traditional BI focused on chart-building and dashboards. If AI-powered analytics is important, Metricly has a significant advantage.
For a 5-person team: Lightdash self-hosted is free (but requires your infrastructure and maintenance time). Lightdash Cloud is about $175/month. Metricly is $245/month with AI features included. The value depends on whether you need AI and managed hosting.

Ready to see the difference?

Start your free trial today and experience AI-native analytics built on your dbt semantic layer.

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