kitio.aiLooker vs Lightdash
A side-by-side look at pricing plans, free tiers, features, pros and cons, updated for 2026. Looker starts at See pricing page and Lightdash starts at $3000/mo. Check both pricing pages for current plans.
At a glance
Best for
Category
Pricing model
Starting price
Free plan
Made by
Based in
Rating
Key features
- LookML semantic model
- Gemini conversational analytics
- Dashboards and explores
- Embedded analytics
- API access
- dbt-based semantic layer
- Self-serve explores
- AI analyst agents
- Slack integration
- Dashboards as code
| Feature | Looker | Lightdash |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Google Cloud's semantic-layer BI with Gemini conversational analytics | Open-source BI built on dbt with AI analyst agents |
| Category | Data & analytics | Data & analytics |
| Pricing model | Paid | Freemium |
| Starting price | See pricing page | $3000/mo |
| Free plan | No | Yes |
| Made by | Lightdash | |
| Based in | United States | – |
| Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Key features |
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Pricing compared
Looker starts at See pricing page and Lightdash starts at $3000/mo. Check both pricing pages for current plans.
Free plan
Cheapest paid plan
Top plan
Free trial
3 plans
Standard
Contact sales
- Entry edition for smaller teams
- Semantic modeling layer
Enterprise
Contact sales
- Advanced security and governance
- For larger internal BI deployments
Embed
Contact sales
- Embedded analytics in your apps
- For external-facing deployments
3 plans
Open Source
Free
- Self-hosted core BI
- Manage your own infrastructure
- Community Slack support
Cloud Pro
$3000/mo
- Hosted by Lightdash
- Unlimited users and charts
- Native dbt semantic layer
- Scheduled reports and alerts
Enterprise
Custom
- US and EU hosting
- HIPAA BAA available
- SOC2 report
Prices in USD, checked Oct 28, 2026 or later. Plans change often, so confirm on each tool's site before you buy.
Pros and cons
Looker
- Consistent governed metrics
- Strong for embedded analytics
- Native BigQuery integration
- LookML requires developers
- Pricing only through sales
Lightdash
- Reuses existing dbt work
- Metrics stay consistent
- Open-source option
- Requires dbt
- Fewer visual options than big BI tools
Which one should you choose?
Choose Looker if you want:
- Consistent governed metrics
- Strong for embedded analytics
- Native BigQuery integration
Watch out: lookml requires developers.
Choose Lightdash if you want:
- Reuses existing dbt work
- Metrics stay consistent
- Open-source option
Watch out: requires dbt.
Looker vs Lightdash FAQ
What is the difference between Looker and Lightdash?
Looker: Google Cloud's semantic-layer BI with Gemini conversational analytics. Lightdash: Open-source BI built on dbt with AI analyst agents. Both are data & analytics tools.
Is Looker or Lightdash cheaper?
Looker starts at See pricing page and Lightdash starts at $3000/mo. Check both pricing pages for current plans.
Do Looker and Lightdash have free plans?
Looker: No. Lightdash: Yes.
Who makes Looker?
Looker is made by Google, based in United States.
Who makes Lightdash?
Lightdash is made by Lightdash.
Which should I choose, Looker or Lightdash?
Choose Looker if you value consistent governed metrics and strong for embedded analytics. Choose Lightdash if you value reuses existing dbt work and metrics stay consistent.