# Apache Superset vs Looker

**Leader by Vioscale score:** Apache Superset

| Attribute | Apache Superset | Looker |
|---|---|---|
| **Vioscale score** | 59.8 (62% (medium)) | 47.1 (56% (medium)) |
| activity.commits_last_30d | 100 | - |
| adoption.dependent_repos | 328 | - |
| adoption.github_stars | 74,470 | - |
| adoption.stackoverflow_questions | - | 2,000 |
| content.faq | - | `[{"answer":"Looker is a business intelligence and embedded analytics platform owned by Google Cloud that helps organizations explore, visualize, and analyze data to support decision-making. It serves business analysts, data teams, and enterprises seeking to build dashboards, create reports, and embed analytics capabilities into custom applications.","source":"https://cloud.google.com/looker","question":"What is Looker and what is it used for?","confidence":0.95},{"answer":"LookML is Looker's proprietary data modeling language that allows developers to define semantic layers, transformations, and business logic on top of raw data. It enables organizations to create a governed, reusable data model that ensures consistent definitions and metrics across all analytics within the platform.","source":"https://docs.cloud.google.com/looker/docs/intro","question":"What is LookML and why does Looker use it?","confidence":0.9},{"answer":"Looker uses a subscription-based pricing model with three platform editions (Standard, Enterprise, and Embed) requiring annual commitments. Pricing includes both a platform fee and per-user licensing costs based on user type (Developer, Standard, or Viewer). New customers can access a free trial with 300 dollars in Google Cloud credits.","source":"https://cloud.google.com/looker/pricing","question":"What is the pricing model for Looker?","confidence":0.92},{"answer":"Looker does not offer a permanent free tier, but new users can start with a free trial that includes 300 dollars in Google Cloud credits to explore the platform's capabilities. After the trial period, a paid subscription is required to continue using the platform.","source":"https://cloud.google.com/looker/pricing","question":"Can you use Looker for free?","confidence":0.9},{"answer":"No, Looker is a commercial, proprietary software product owned by Google Cloud. The platform is not open source and requires a paid subscription license to use. Google acquired Looker in 2019 and integrates it as part of its cloud analytics offerings.","source":"https://cloud.google.com/looker","question":"Is Looker open source?","confidence":0.95},{"answer":"Embedded analytics refer to integrating Looker dashboards and visualizations directly into third-party applications or custom software, rather than accessing analytics through a separate analytics interface. Organizations use this capability to provide analytics features to end users without requiring them to log into Looker directly, enabling analytics to be embedded in customer-facing applications or internal business systems.","source":"https://docs.cloud.google.com/looker/docs/intro","question":"What are embedded analytics in Looker and when would you use them?","confidence":0.88},{"answer":"Looker provides REST APIs that developers can use to build custom applications, automate workflows, and integrate Looker functionality with other tools. Developers can work with LookML for data modeling and use the SQL Runner tool to write custom SQL queries. The APIs enable programmatic access to dashboards, queries, and user management features.","source":"https://docs.cloud.google.com/looker/docs","question":"What programming languages and APIs does Looker support for developers?","confidence":0.87},{"answer":"Looker is primarily deployed as a cloud-based service (SaaS) running on Google Cloud Platform, with customers accessing it through web browsers and mobile applications. The platform is not designed for traditional on-premises self-hosting, positioning it as a fully managed cloud solution.","source":"https://cloud.google.com/looker","question":"Is Looker cloud-only or can it be self-hosted?","confidence":0.9}]` |
| deployment.options | `{"cloud":true,"self_hosted":true}` | `{"cloud":true}` |
| description.long | An open-source business intelligence platform that enables teams to create dashboards, charts, and alerts to visualize and analyze data across multiple database and data warehouse connections. | Looker transforms static dashboards into governed, agentic analytics experiences. It combines natural language interactions powered by Gemini with a semantic layer to enable organizations to explore data conversationally and automate business decisions through AI agents. |
| features.capabilities | `{"nlq_ai":false,"rls_sso":true,"paradigm":"governed_dashboards","free_tier":true,"dbt_native":false,"managed_cloud":true,"self_hostable":true,"semantic_layer":"built_in","warehouse_native":true,"connector_breadth":"Multiple database and data warehouse connections supported","scheduled_reports":true,"embedded_analytics":false,"transparent_pricing":false}` | `{"nlq_ai":true,"paradigm":"nlq_search","free_tier":true,"managed_cloud":true,"semantic_layer":"built_in","warehouse_native":true,"connector_breadth":"Cloud data warehouses (Snowflake confirmed), OAuth-authenticated data sources","scheduled_reports":true,"embedded_analytics":true,"transparent_pricing":false}` |
| integrations.count | 3 | 1 |
| integrations.list | `[{"name":"Presto"},{"name":"Trino"},{"name":"Athena"}]` | `[{"name":"Snowflake"}]` |
| language.primary | Python | - |
| license.spdx | Apache-2.0 | - |
| market.availability | - | `{"source":"https://cloud.google.com/looker","hqCountry":"US","confidence":0.85,"primaryMarkets":["US","GB","DE","JP","AU"],"availabilityScope":"global","availableCountries":[],"notAvailableCountries":[]}` |
| platform.support | `{"web":true}` | `{"web":true}` |
| pricing | `{"type":"open_source","sourceUrl":"https://superset.apache.org","retrievedAt":"2026-08-05T14:07:02.783Z"}` | - |
| pricing.free_tier | yes | no |
| pricing.model | open_source | commercial |
| pricing.price_level | free | - |
| pricing.transparent | - | no |
| release.cadence_days | 3 | 30 |
| release.history | `[{"url":"https://github.com/apache/superset/releases/tag/superset-helm-chart-0.22.6","date":"2026-08-13T20:05:07Z","type":"stable","version":"superset-helm-chart-0.22.6"},{"url":"https://github.com/apache/superset/releases/tag/superset-helm-chart-0.22.5","date":"2026-08-10T05:08:02Z","type":"stable","version":"superset-helm-chart-0.22.5"},{"url":"https://github.com/apache/superset/releases/tag/superset-helm-chart-0.22.4","date":"2026-07-27T17:14:59Z","type":"stable","version":"superset-helm-chart-0.22.4"},{"url":"https://github.com/apache/superset/releases/tag/superset-helm-chart-0.22.3","date":"2026-07-24T14:22:06Z","type":"stable","version":"superset-helm-chart-0.22.3"},{"url":"https://github.com/apache/superset/releases/tag/superset-helm-chart-0.22.2","date":"2026-07-23T00:09:33Z","type":"stable","version":"superset-helm-chart-0.22.2"},{"url":"https://github.com/apache/superset/releases/tag/superset-helm-chart-0.22.1","date":"2026-07-21T23:28:59Z","type":"stable","version":"superset-helm-chart-0.22.1"},{"url":"https://github.com/apache/superset/releases/tag/superset-helm-chart-0.22.0","date":"2026-07-18T20:00:54Z","type":"stable","version":"superset-helm-chart-0.22.0"},{"url":"https://github.com/apache/superset/releases/tag/superset-helm-chart-0.21.1","date":"2026-07-18T17:31:02Z","type":"stable","version":"superset-helm-chart-0.21.1"},{"url":"https://github.com/apache/superset/releases/tag/superset-helm-chart-0.21.0","date":"2026-07-17T21:45:35Z","type":"stable","version":"superset-helm-chart-0.21.0"},{"url":"https://github.com/apache/superset/releases/tag/superset-helm-chart-0.20.0","date":"2026-07-11T17:51:38Z","type":"stable","version":"superset-helm-chart-0.20.0"},{"url":"https://github.com/apache/superset/releases/tag/superset-helm-chart-0.19.0","date":"2026-07-02T17:28:12Z","type":"stable","version":"superset-helm-chart-0.19.0"},{"url":"https://github.com/apache/superset/releases/tag/superset-helm-chart-0.18.0","date":"2026-06-28T05:45:25Z","type":"stable","version":"superset-helm-chart-0.18.0"},{"url":"https://github.com/apache/superset/releases/tag/superset-helm-chart-0.17.3","date":"2026-06-24T08:29:40Z","type":"stable","version":"superset-helm-chart-0.17.3"},{"url":"https://github.com/apache/superset/releases/tag/superset-helm-chart-0.17.2","date":"2026-06-23T17:34:33Z","type":"stable","version":"superset-helm-chart-0.17.2"},{"url":"https://github.com/apache/superset/releases/tag/superset-helm-chart-0.17.1","date":"2026-06-23T16:21:54Z","type":"stable","version":"superset-helm-chart-0.17.1"},{"url":"https://github.com/apache/superset/releases/tag/superset-helm-chart-0.17.0","date":"2026-06-22T21:46:11Z","type":"stable","version":"superset-helm-chart-0.17.0"},{"url":"https://github.com/apache/superset/releases/tag/superset-helm-chart-0.16.2","date":"2026-06-17T17:41:00Z","type":"stable","version":"superset-helm-chart-0.16.2"},{"url":"https://github.com/apache/superset/releases/tag/superset-helm-chart-0.16.1","date":"2026-06-17T00:45:58Z","type":"stable","version":"superset-helm-chart-0.16.1"},{"url":"https://github.com/apache/superset/releases/tag/superset-helm-chart-0.16.0","date":"2026-06-09T17:19:22Z","type":"stable","version":"superset-helm-chart-0.16.0"},{"url":"https://github.com/apache/superset/releases/tag/superset-helm-chart-0.15.5","date":"2026-05-04T22:55:08Z","type":"stable","version":"superset-helm-chart-0.15.5"}]` | - |
| reliability.sla_pct | - | 99.9 |
| reliability.status_page | - | yes |
| security.disclosure_policy | yes | - |
| security.gdpr | - | yes |
| security.iso27001 | - | yes |
| security.scorecard | 5.5 | - |
| security.soc2 | - | yes |
| security.vulnerabilities | `{"count":0,"source":"https://advisories.ecosyste.ms/api/v1/advisories?ecosystem=npm&package_name=%40superset-ui%2Fcore&per_page=100","last_12m":0,"max_severity":null}` | - |

## Capabilities (BI Software)

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

*Source: Vioscale. Generated 2026-09-01T15:05:42.873Z. "-" = undocumented, not absent.*