Metabase is a popular open-source BI tool with a friendly question builder. Its open-source edition is free to self-host; paid plans add features and hosting. Dashboard Builder takes a different route: a PHP application you install on a normal web server, with dashboards you can embed straight into PHP apps.
Short answer: if your team runs Java services and wants a free, open-source question builder, Metabase is a strong choice. If you run PHP hosting, need Excel and PDF files alongside databases, or want to embed dashboards in a PHP app with a one-time licence, choose Dashboard Builder.
Dashboard Builder vs Metabase at a glance
| Metabase | Dashboard Builder | |
|---|---|---|
| Hosting | Self-hosted (Java app) or Metabase Cloud | Self-hosted (Windows, Linux, macOS; PHP 7.4+), cloud, or Windows desktop |
| Pricing model | Free open-source edition; paid plans monthly or yearly | One-time: Essential $119, Professional $399, Enterprise $1,499. Cloud from $9/month |
| Setup | Runs as a Java application or container | Unzip into a PHP web folder, or use Composer |
| Files | Mainly databases; CSV upload to some databases | Excel, CSV and PDF |
| Building dashboards | Question builder and SQL editor | Drag-and-drop designer, SQL builder, AI generator |
| Embedding | Static embedding free; interactive embedding on paid plans | Generated PHP/HTML5 code; WordPress, Joomla and Laravel exports; share links |
| Licence | Open-source edition under the AGPL; paid editions commercial | Commercial; full source in Professional and Enterprise |
Price comparison
| Plan | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Metabase Open Source | $0 | Free, self-hosted |
| Metabase Starter | $100/month | First 5 users included, then $6 per user/month |
| Metabase Pro | $575/month | First 10 users included, then $12 per user/month |
| Metabase Enterprise | From $20,000/year | Custom |
| Dashboard Builder Professional (self-hosted) | $399 once | 3 users, full source code |
| Dashboard Builder Enterprise (self-hosted) | $1,499 once | Unlimited users, may modify and redistribute |
Metabase also lists yearly prices: Starter $1,080/year and Pro $6,210/year.
Competitor prices checked on 17 October 2026 on the vendors’ own pages: Metabase pricing. Prices are list prices in US dollars and can change; check the vendor’s page before you buy.
Which one to choose
Choose Metabase if…
- You want a free, open-source tool and can run a Java service.
- Your team likes asking questions with a point-and-click query builder.
- You plan to use Metabase Cloud.
Choose Dashboard Builder if…
- Your servers run PHP (Apache or Nginx) and you’d rather not run a Java service.
- You need Excel and PDF files on dashboards next to databases.
- You want to embed dashboards in a PHP, Laravel, WordPress or Joomla app.
- You prefer a one-time licence over a monthly plan.
Moving from Metabase to Dashboard Builder
List the dashboards people actually use. Start with the 3 to 5 most-viewed ones.
Connect the same sources. Point Dashboard Builder at the same databases, or upload the Excel, CSV or PDF files behind the reports.
Rebuild the key charts. Use the drag-and-drop designer, or let the AI Dashboard Generator draft them from a file.
Share or embed. Send links, or embed the dashboards in your intranet or PHP app.
Other comparisons: Power BI, Tableau, Data Studio (Looker Studio), Grafana.
Frequently asked questions
Build your first dashboard in minutes
Upload Excel, CSV or PDF to the free AI Dashboard Generator, or download the self-hosted free trial and connect your database.
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