Comparison

Apache Superset vs Looker

On the evidence we track, Apache Superset leads this comparison with a composite score of 63/100. Scores are only directly comparable because these tools share a category; the full breakdown and every source is below.

Machine formatsMarkdownJSONGraphQLMarkdown is open. JSON and GraphQL need a free key.
★Apache Superset63
Looker52
Score
vioscaleAI score
Apache Superset63 / 100medium · 62%
Looker52 / 100medium · 53%
Pricing
Free tier
Apache Superset✓
Looker✗
Model
Apache Supersetopen_source
Price level
Apache Supersetfree
Looker–
Transparent
Apache Superset–
Looker✗
Integrations
Count
Apache Superset8
Looker6
Security
Certifications
Apache Superset–
Disclosure policy
Apache Superset✓
Looker–
Gdpr
Apache Superset–
Looker✓
Iso27001
Apache Superset–
Looker✓
Scorecard
Apache Superset5.5
Looker–
Soc2
Apache Superset–
Looker✓
Reliability
Sla pct
Apache Superset–
Looker99.9
Status page
Apache Superset–
Looker✓
Adoption
Dependent repos
Apache Superset328
Looker–
Github stars
Apache Superset75,145
Looker–
Stackoverflow questions
Apache Superset–
Looker2,000
Activity
Commits last 30d
Apache Superset100
Looker–
Release
Cadence days
Apache Superset3
Looker30
History
Apache Superset20 items
Looker–
License
Spdx
Apache SupersetApache-2.0
Looker–
Language
Primary
Apache SupersetPython
Looker–
Market
Availability
Apache Superset–
Content
Faq
Apache Superset6 items
Looker8 items

Capabilities

Feature-by-feature on the axes that matter for bi software. “-” means undocumented, not absent.

Core
BI paradigm
Apache SupersetGoverned dashboards
LookerNLQ / search
Semantic / modelling layer
Apache SupersetBuilt-in
LookerBuilt-in
Engine
Warehouse-native (SQL push-down)
Apache Superset✓
Looker✓
Deployment
Self-hostable / OSS core
Apache Superset✓
Looker✓
Managed cloud available
Apache Superset✓
Looker✓
Intelligence
Natural-language query / AI copilot
Apache Superset✗
Looker✓
Delivery
Embedded / white-label analytics
Apache Superset✓
Looker✓
Scheduled reports / alerting
Apache Superset✓
Looker✓
Governance
Row-level security & SSO/SAML
Apache Superset✓
Looker✓
Commercial
Per-seat pricing published
Apache Superset✗
Looker✗
Free tier / free desktop
Apache Superset✓
Looker✓
Ecosystem
dbt-native integration
Apache Superset✗
Looker-
Data-source connector breadth
Apache SupersetMultiple database and data warehouse connections supported
LookerCloud data warehouses (Snowflake confirmed), OAuth-authenticated data sources

What each one is

The product in its own terms, so the numbers below have context.

Apache Superset

Leader

An enterprise-ready web application that helps teams connect to various SQL databases and data engines to build visualizations, create dashboards, and query data through a web-based SQL editor. Includes features like a built-in semantic layer, query optimization, caching, and row-level security.

Independently observed

Looker

A business intelligence and analytics platform offering self-service dashboards, data exploration through LookML models, and embedded analytics capabilities with support for cloud and self-hosted deployment.

Independently observed

Pricing

List pricing as published by each vendor, with the date we read it. Always verify at the source before you buy.

Apache Superset

Leader
Open sourceFree tier
as of verify ↗

Looker

Pricing not documented yet.

Platform & deployment

Where each product runs and how it can be hosted. A dash means undocumented, not unsupported.

Platforms
Web
Apache Superset✓
Looker✓
Deployment
Cloud / SaaS
Apache Superset✓
Looker✓
Self-hosted
Apache Superset✓
Looker✓

Integrations

What each product connects to. Counts come from the vendor's own integration directory where one exists.

In common (1)
  • BigQuery

Apache Superset

Leader
9 total - 8 not shared
  • Presto
  • Trino
  • Athena
  • Slack
  • PostgreSQL
  • Aurora
  • Redshift
  • Webhooks
Independently observed

Looker

10 total - 9 not shared
  • Snowflake
  • GitHub
  • GitLab
  • Bitbucket
  • Dataplex
  • Cloud Storage
  • GitHub Actions
  • GitLab CI
  • Bitbucket Pipelines
Independently observed
Still deciding?

Apache Superset or Looker: which one depends on you

A composite score cannot know your constraints. Describe them and both get re-weighted against what you actually need, with the evidence behind every position.

Free to run, no account needed to start. How the evaluation works

Comparison generated from independently-sourced facts. Every value links to its source and retrieval date. See the method.