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Lightdash vs Redash(2026)

Lightdash is better for teams that need best for dbt-first data teams. Redash is the stronger choice if sql-native. Lightdash is open-source (from $0) and Redash is open-source (from $0).

Full feature breakdown, pricing details, and pros & cons below.

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Lightdash logo

Lightdash

open-source

Lightdash is an open-source BI tool that reads your dbt project as its semantic layer — turning your dbt models and metrics into dashboards with zero metric duplication.

Starting at $0

Visit Lightdash
Redash logo

Redash

open-source

Redash is an open-source BI tool for teams who prefer SQL — connect to any database, write queries, visualize results, and share dashboards without a no-code abstraction layer.

Starting at $0

Visit Redash

How Do Lightdash and Redash Compare on Features?

FeatureLightdashRedash
Pricing modelopen-sourceopen-source
Starting price$0$0
dbt integration (semantic layer)
Metrics catalog
Dashboards
SQL runner
Scheduled deliveries
Slack alerts
Self-hostable or cloud
SQL-first
Multiple data source connectors
Scheduled queries
Alerts
API
Self-hostable

Lightdash Pros and Cons vs Redash

L

Lightdash

+Best for dbt-first data teams
+No metric duplication
+Open source
+Fast setup for dbt users
Requires dbt
Smaller community than Metabase
Less polished for non-dbt teams
R

Redash

+SQL-native
+Free open source
+Simple concept
+Good connector support
Development slowed (Databricks acquisition)
No no-code query builder
UI dated vs modern alternatives

Should You Use Lightdash or Redash?

Choose Lightdash if…

  • Best for dbt-first data teams
  • No metric duplication
  • Open source

Choose Redash if…

  • SQL-native
  • Free open source
  • Simple concept

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