Metabase vs SAP Analytics Cloud Comparison
Introduction
Choosing the right business intelligence tool is critical for data-driven decision-making. Metabase and SAP Analytics Cloud are both popular options, each offering a unique set of features and capabilities tailored to different business needs.
Metabase is known for its user-friendly interface and simple setup, while SAP Analytics Cloud is recognized for its comprehensive analytics and advanced integration options. When selecting between the two, factors like ease of use, cost, scalability, and the types of insights needed come into play.
In this comparison, we will evaluate the strengths and limitations of Metabase and SAP Analytics Cloud. Additionally, we'll explore how Sourcetable provides a modernized, spreadsheet-like interface that syncs with your data as an alternative for business intelligence tasks like reporting and data analytics.
What is Metabase?
Metabase is an analytics tool designed with a user-friendly UX, making it accessible to all levels of users. It facilitates direct connections to over 20 different data sources, enabling real-time queries without the need for data extracts.
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Metabase is an analytics tool designed with a user-friendly UX, making it accessible to all levels of users. It facilitates direct connections to over 20 different data sources, enabling real-time queries without the need for data extracts.
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Features and Plans
- Offers a free open-source tier suitable for various businesses.
- Includes a pay-as-you-go Pro plan for advanced needs.
- Provides a hosted plan for ease of use and convenience.
- Supports single sign-on for streamlined access management.
- Features permissions and auditing capabilities for security and compliance.
- Enables embedded analytics for integration with other applications.
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Compliance and Trust
Metabase ensures GDPR compliance, addressing privacy and data protection requirements. It has earned the trust of over 50,000 companies globally.
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Deployment Options
Among its deployment options, Metabase includes a docker deployment, catering to containerized environments.
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Enterprise Plan
The platform also provides an Enterprise plan, which includes additional features tailored to the needs of large organizations.
What is SAP Analytics Cloud?
SAP Analytics Cloud is a reporting automation tool that utilizes generative AI to streamline the creation of reports. Its core capabilities include mission-critical analytics and enhancement of business intelligence (BI) functionalities.
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SAP Analytics Cloud is a reporting automation tool that utilizes generative AI to streamline the creation of reports. Its core capabilities include mission-critical analytics and enhancement of business intelligence (BI) functionalities.
Through the integration of Joule copilot, SAP Analytics Cloud aids in the formulation of business plans. It provides a unified platform for financial, supply chain, and operational planning, thereby transforming enterprise planning processes.
The tool offers industry-specific analytics, catering to unique business needs across various sectors. By uniting various planning domains, it supports comprehensive decision-making.
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Metabase Features Overview
Scalability and Self-Service Analytics |
Metabase provides advanced features for scaling and self-service analytics on its paid plans, catering to organizational growth and diverse user needs. |
Authentication Options |
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Permissions |
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Group Management |
Group managers are available to handle user roles and permissions within Metabase. |
Embedding and Customization |
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Dashboard Management |
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Content and Access Control |
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Data Management |
Metabase allows exporting application data for deployment on new instances, facilitating data portability and system migration. |
Key Features of SAP Analytics Cloud
Browser Requirements |
Javascript must be enabled for SAP Analytics Cloud to function. |
Latest Updates |
The newest release of SAP Analytics Cloud introduces additional features, enhanced functions, and notable highlights. |
Generative AI |
SAP Analytics Cloud employs generative AI to streamline reporting processes. |
Industry-Specific Content |
Pre-built business content is available for sector-specific analytical needs. |
Collaborative Planning |
A unified solution is featured for collaborative planning across financial, supply chain, and operational domains. |
Advantages of Metabase Pro for Business Intelligence
Granular Access Control
Metabase Pro enhances data governance with advanced permissions, offering row-level and column-level permissions. This granularity ensures secure access and tailored data views for different user roles.
Embedded Analytics
With embedded analytics, Metabase Pro integrates business intelligence directly into applications. Embedding options for charts, dashboards, or the entire platform expand its utility across business systems.
Customization and White-Labeling
White-labeling capabilities allow for customization of the Metabase instance's appearance, aligning it with the company's branding and enhancing the user experience.
Expert Support
Metabase Pro's success team provides world-class technical support, assisting with onboarding, offboarding, and ongoing operational challenges.
Proactive Insights
The ability to set up subscriptions and alerts enables proactive monitoring of key metrics, ensuring timely decision-making.
Efficient Content Management
Caching mechanisms for slow and unused content and the exportation of configurations as YAML files streamline content management and maintain optimal system performance.
Environment Synchronization
Serialization features facilitate the syncing of multiple environments, simplifying the deployment of consistent settings across different stages of development.
Database Connection Impersonation
Role-based permissions through connection impersonation provide secure and context-specific database access, enhancing data security and compliance.
Disadvantages of Using Metabase for Business Intelligence
Complex Queries and Data Linking
Metabase presents challenges in linking data which complicates the process of executing complex queries essential for in-depth analysis.
Performance Issues
When multiple team members access Metabase simultaneously, the software experiences performance slowdowns, impacting overall productivity.
Versioning and Data Governance
The absence of code versioning and limited data governance capabilities restrict Metabase's utility in maintaining data integrity and compliance.
Software Updates and Maintenance
Difficulties in updating Metabase software can lead to additional maintenance challenges for businesses.
Dashboard Creation and Database Integration
Metabase is not well-suited for creating dynamic dashboards or for integrating multiple databases, limiting its versatility.
Scalability and Load Management
Handling large data loads is problematic for Metabase, resulting in significant delays, latency, and slow report generation.
Data Visualization
The platform offers limited options for chart customization, reducing the ability to tailor data visualization to specific business needs.
Single Sign-On (SSO) Support
Metabase's free edition does not support Azure SSO, potentially complicating user access management for organizations using Azure services.
Frequently Asked Questions About Metabase
Can I use Metabase to filter data by date?
Yes, you can use the trend widget in Metabase to filter data by date.
Why am I getting a 550 5.7.60 SMTP error in Metabase?
The 550 5.7.60 SMTP error can occur due to issues with the SMTP setup in Metabase.
Is it possible to edit data in Snowflake or Athena using Metabase?
No, Metabase does not allow editing of data in Snowflake and Athena.
Does Metabase provide a way to execute SQL on its metadata?
Yes, Metabase has a metadata SQL feature for executing SQL on its metadata.
What type of license does Metabase use?
Metabase uses the AGPL license.
Use Cases for Metabase
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Bringing company-wide transparency to customer care
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Helping every team get insights from their data
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Transforming data analysis processes
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Embedding analytics in SaaS platforms
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Democratizing data access for data-driven decision-making
Advantages of SAP Analytics Cloud for Business Intelligence
Cloud-based Business Intelligence
SAP Analytics Cloud is a cloud-based solution that provides flexibility and scalability for business intelligence (BI) tasks. It offers the convenience of accessing analytics capabilities remotely, ensuring data can be analyzed anytime, anywhere.
Generative AI in Reporting and Analytics
The incorporation of generative AI in SAP Analytics Cloud automates reporting, discovers insights, and assists in the creation and development of business plans. This technology enhances the speed and efficiency of data analysis and reporting processes.
Enhanced BI Capabilities
SAP Analytics Cloud elevates BI capabilities by delivering mission-critical analytics that are essential for informed decision-making. It also provides industry-specific analytics with pre-built business content, tailored to meet the unique needs of different sectors.
Unified Planning Solution
By unifying financial, supply chain, and operational planning, SAP Analytics Cloud transforms enterprise planning into a single integrated solution. This unification streamlines planning processes and fosters collaboration across different business units.
Disadvantages of SAP Analytics Cloud for Business Intelligence
Performance Limitations
SAP Analytics Cloud users may experience delays due to lags between acquired data and live data, which can hinder real-time analysis. The system can slow down significantly when handling large volumes of data, and performance issues emerge if limitations on the number of cells are removed.
User Interface and Accessibility
The platform's user interface lacks intuitiveness, which can steepen the learning curve for users. The mobile app's performance is also suboptimal, requiring enhancements to speed and overall resource usage.
Integration and Customization Challenges
Integrating SAP Analytics Cloud with existing legacy systems can be a complex process. The platform's limited customization capabilities further restrict users from tailoring it to their specific business needs.
Collaboration and Data Management
There is a notable deficiency in teamwork and collaboration features within SAP Analytics Cloud, impacting coordinated efforts. Additionally, model rebuilding can result in the loss of data validation, necessitating extensive rework.
Dependency and Connectivity
The effectiveness of SAP Analytics Cloud is highly reliant on integration with other SAP products. Users also face difficulties connecting to various data sources, and adding sequences to the Predictive Analytics server can be challenging.
Cost Considerations
Aside from the operational drawbacks, SAP Analytics Cloud is considered expensive, which may not align with the budget constraints of all businesses seeking BI solutions.
Frequently Asked Questions About SAP Analytics Cloud
What is SAP Analytics Cloud?
SAP Analytics Cloud is a solution for business intelligence, augmented and predictive analytics, and enterprise planning.
Can SAP Analytics Cloud connect to various data sources?
Yes, SAP Analytics Cloud can connect to a variety of on-premise and cloud data sources, including SAP HANA, SAP BW, SAP BPC, OData, Google BigQuery, SQL, and SAP Universes.
Is SAP Analytics Cloud available only in the cloud?
Yes, SAP Analytics Cloud is only accessible in the cloud.
How often is SAP Analytics Cloud updated?
SAP Analytics Cloud is updated frequently with a quarterly release cycle, and test edition tenants receive updates earlier than standard tenants.
Where can I find the release notes for each version of SAP Analytics Cloud?
Release notes for each version of SAP Analytics Cloud can be found under System > About.
Use Cases for SAP Analytics Cloud
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Analytics for human resources
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Analytics for all daily operations
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Analytics for oil & gas
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Analytics for reporting
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Analytics for utilities
Why Sourcetable is the Preferred Business Intelligence Solution
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Simplified Reporting and Analytics
Sourcetable offers a streamlined approach to business intelligence by integrating data from various services into an intuitive spreadsheet-like interface. This centralization simplifies the process of reporting and analytics, making it more efficient than using tools like Metabase or SAP Analytics Cloud, which may require navigating multiple interfaces or complex setups.
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User-Friendly Interface
Unlike Metabase, which caters to non-technical users but still involves a learning curve with its visual query builder and dashboard tools, Sourcetable’s spreadsheet-like interface is immediately familiar to most users, reducing the time spent on training and onboarding.
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Data Syncing Across Services
With Sourcetable, businesses can automatically sync data across all their services, a feature that stands out against both Metabase and SAP Analytics Cloud. This automatic synchronization ensures that reports are always up-to-date with the latest data, eliminating the need for manual data extraction or updates.
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Accessibility and Ease of Use
Sourcetable's design prioritizes accessibility and ease of use, making it an attractive business intelligence tool for users of all skill levels. This contrasts with Metabase's enterprise-grade features and SAP Analytics Cloud's comprehensive suite, which might be more complex than necessary for some businesses.
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Embedding and Sharing Capabilities
While Metabase allows embedding of dashboards and charts, Sourcetable extends this functionality within a familiar spreadsheet environment, making the sharing and collaboration process as straightforward as sharing a document, thus enhancing the efficiency of communication and decision-making within an organization.
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Similarities between Metabase and SAP Analytics Cloud
Business Intelligence Tools
Both Metabase and SAP Analytics Cloud are business intelligence tools designed to help companies explore and analyze their data.
Self-Service Analytics
They offer self-service analytics capabilities, enabling users to create dashboards and reports without extensive technical expertise.
User-Friendly Interfaces
Metabase and SAP Analytics Cloud provide user-friendly interfaces that facilitate data exploration and visualization for non-technical users.
Data Source Connectivity
Both platforms can connect to a variety of data sources, including SQL databases, data warehouses, and production databases.
Dashboard and Reporting Tools
Users can create and share interactive dashboards and analytics reports on both Metabase and SAP Analytics Cloud.
Accessibility
Metabase and SAP Analytics Cloud are accessible to a broad range of users within an organization, promoting data-driven decision making across departments.
Security and Compliance
They offer security features and compliance with standards such as GDPR, ensuring data protection and privacy.
Embedding Capabilities
Both tools allow for the embedding of analytics content into other applications, expanding the reach and utility of the insights generated.
Metabase vs. SAP Analytics Cloud
Deployment and Accessibility
Metabase offers a flexible deployment model, available as a free open-source version that can be self-hosted or through a hosted service, Metabase Cloud. It is accessible to all users with a user-friendly interface and allows for quick setup. On the other hand, SAP Analytics Cloud is a SaaS product that doesn't offer an open-source option and is typically preferred by enterprises that are already invested in the SAP ecosystem.
Data Source Connectivity
Metabase can connect to over 20 different data sources directly without requiring data extracts, supporting a wide range of databases and data warehouses. SAP Analytics Cloud also connects to various data sources but is optimized for integration with SAP systems and may require data replication or warehousing for non-SAP sources.
Usability and User Experience
Metabase is known for its user-friendly UX that supports self-service analytics, allowing non-technical users to query data using a visual interface. The tool is recognized for its visual query builder and quick learning curve. SAP Analytics Cloud offers advanced analytics capabilities with a focus on integrating with other SAP products, which may present a steeper learning curve for users not familiar with SAP software.
Pricing Structure
Metabase provides a free open-source tier and a pay-as-you-go Pro plan, catering to a wide range of users from startups to enterprises. SAP Analytics Cloud, being part of the larger SAP suite, typically follows an enterprise pricing model which may include various licensing fees and is generally higher in cost compared to open-source options.
Customization and Embedding
Metabase allows for easy embedding of dashboards and analytics into other applications, supporting iframes or JWT-signed embeds without requiring coding. This makes it a suitable choice for companies looking to integrate analytics into customer-facing applications. SAP Analytics Cloud also supports embedding and customization, but typically involves a more complex setup and is better integrated with other SAP products.
Security and Compliance
Both Metabase and SAP Analytics Cloud offer enterprise-grade security features. Metabase complies with SOC 2 Type II and GDPR, making it a secure option for businesses concerned with data privacy and regulation compliance. SAP Analytics Cloud, being part of the SAP suite, also adheres to stringent security standards and is known for its robust security and compliance features, especially within the SAP ecosystem.
Comparison of Metabase, SAP Analytics Cloud, and Sourcetable
Metabase
Metabase is an open-source analytics and business intelligence tool. It's known for its user-friendly interface and self-service capabilities which allow non-technical users to explore data, create dashboards, and generate reports. With the ability to connect to over 20 different data sources, including production databases and data warehouses, Metabase caters to a wide range of users. It offers a free open-source tier, a pay-as-you-go Pro plan, and an Enterprise option, making it accessible to companies of various sizes. Metabase can be quickly set up and is praised for its speed of implementation and ease of learning.
SAP Analytics Cloud
SAP Analytics Cloud is a cloud-based business intelligence platform that integrates business planning, predictive analytics, and governance, risk, and compliance. It is a comprehensive solution that provides advanced analytics capabilities to large enterprises. Unlike Metabase, SAP Analytics Cloud is not open source and is typically suited for large corporations with more complex analytics needs. It is part of the broader SAP ecosystem, which allows for seamless integration with other SAP products.
Sourcetable
Sourcetable is a spreadsheet-based tool that specializes in combining data from various sources for analysis without the need for code. It offers a user-friendly approach to data analysis, similar to Metabase, but with a focus on the familiarity and simplicity of spreadsheets. Sourcetable is not as widely discussed or documented in terms of the scope of data sources, enterprise features, or compliance as compared to Metabase and SAP Analytics Cloud.
Contrast
Each tool has distinct strengths that cater to different user needs and organizational sizes. Metabase is notable for its user-friendliness and quick deployment, SAP Analytics Cloud for its comprehensive features and integration within the SAP ecosystem, and Sourcetable for its spreadsheet-centric approach to data analysis.
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Simplify your BI tooling with a spreadsheet that syncs with all your data.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Sourcetable
What is Sourcetable and who typically uses it?
Sourcetable is a spreadsheet application that lets users access data from most 3rd party applications. It is commonly used by growth teams and business operations people to centralize, analyze, and model data that updates over time without requiring any coding.
How does Sourcetable integrate with other applications?
Sourcetable syncs data from over 100 applications and most databases. On the regular plan, data integrations update every 15 minutes, and on the pro plan, they update every 5 minutes.
How much does Sourcetable cost?
Sourcetable costs $50 per month for the starter plan and $250 per month for the pro plan. All plans come with a 14-day free trial. The starter plan includes the first 5 users, and each additional seat costs $20 per month.
Do I need to know how to code to use Sourcetable?
No, Sourcetable does not require any coding to use. Users can query data and build live models that automatically update as data changes.
How quickly can I start creating reports with Sourcetable?
Users can start creating reports with Sourcetable within minutes of beginning to use the application.
Metabase Pricing Overview
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Starter Plan
Metabase offers a Starter plan at $85 per month, which accommodates 5 users. Additional users can be added for $5 per month each. An annual subscription is $918, with the per-user cost being $54 yearly.
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Pro Plan
The Pro plan is priced at $500 per month, including 10 users, with additional users costing $10 monthly. The annual cost is $5400, which is equivalent to $108 per user per year.
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Enterprise Plan
Custom pricing for the Enterprise plan begins at $15,000 per year, with the cost calculated per user.
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Open Source Plan
The Open Source plan is free and does not include user-based fees.
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Discounts
A 10% discount is available for customers who opt for annual billing.
SAP Analytics Cloud Cost
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Subscription and Licensing
SAP Analytics Cloud is offered through a subscription model. Clients can choose from several flexible licensing options to suit varying business needs. The pricing details for these options are provided upon request.
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Minimum Purchase and Contract Terms
The minimum purchase requirement for SAP Analytics Cloud licenses is set at 5 users. A minimum contract duration of 12 months applies to all subscriptions.
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Payment Options
Payment for SAP Analytics Cloud subscriptions can be made via invoice across all countries. Additionally, credit card payments may be accepted, but availability varies depending on the country.
User Reviews of Metabase
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Overall Satisfaction
Metabase has an overall rating of 4.5 out of 5, with most reviewers giving high marks for ease of use, customer service, features, and value for money.
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Usability
Users find Metabase easy to use, especially for non-technical users, with an intuitive UI and straightforward setup, deployment, and start-up process. It stands out for self-service analytics and sending alerts from query results.
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Functionality
As a business intelligence tool, Metabase excels in creating custom dashboards and reports, analyzing data, tracking KPIs, and integrating with SQL and Google Analytics. It is particularly noted for its data security and integrity.
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Performance
However, some users experience significant delays and latency with larger datasets. Metabase can become slow or buggy when rendering data or when many users access it simultaneously.
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Limitations
- It is not the most advanced analytics tool.
- Does not allow joins between different databases.
- Metabase can crash under larger loads and may not load or download reports in some instances.
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Development and Contribution
While Metabase is an open-source tool, some find it difficult to contribute to the codebase due to it being written in CoffeeScript.
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Comparison with Alternatives
Tableau and Microsoft Power BI are considered top alternatives to Metabase.
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Cost
Metabase is noted for being inexpensive, with a free self-hosted version available.
Conclusion
In comparing Metabase and SAP Analytics Cloud, it is evident that each platform caters to different business intelligence needs. Metabase offers an open-source solution with a focus on ease of use and visualization, while SAP Analytics Cloud provides a comprehensive suite of analytics tools with strong integration capabilities for SAP products.
For businesses looking for an even more streamlined approach to business intelligence, Sourcetable may be a suitable alternative. It simplifies data analysis by syncing data in real-time across various services into a spreadsheet interface that many users find familiar and easy to use.
Try Sourcetable
Simplify your BI tooling with a spreadsheet that syncs with all your data.
Learn More
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