Ibis

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What Ibis is

Ibis is a free, open-source Python dataframe library that provides a consistent API across more than 20 query-engine backends. For local dataframes it uses DuckDB by default and also names Polars and DataFusion. The project describes a workflow where users can develop locally and deploy remotely by changing a single line of code. Ibis also lets users compose SQL with Python dataframe code, supporting work that spans data engineering and data science. Documented formats include CSV, TSV, JSON, Parquet, Delta Lake and Avro. It supports and tests Google BigQuery, Snowflake, Databricks Cloud and Amazon Athena, though support for these may become best effort if funding ends. Backend coverage of the full API varies with SQL dialects and upstream operations. Ibis and a supported backend can be installed with pip, conda, mamba or pixi. Note that the separate PyPI package named ibis cannot coexist with ibis-framework in the same Python environment because both use the ibis module name. The project identifies practitioners, data platforms, organizations and library developers as audiences.

Who it suits

Ibis suits Python users working in exploratory analysis, analytics, data engineering, machine learning or library development. It is also aimed at data practitioners, platform teams and organizations that need to work across query engines.

What it does well

One API supports more than 20 backends
DuckDB is the default for local dataframes
Move from local to remote by changing one code line
Combines SQL with Python dataframe code
Install with pip, conda, mamba or pixi

What to know first

Full API coverage varies by backend
Named cloud backends may shift to best-effort support
The separate PyPI ibis package conflicts with ibis-framework

Limits

Supported backends vary in how much of the Ibis API they cover. Support for BigQuery, Snowflake, Databricks Cloud, and Amazon Athena may move to best effort if project funding ends.

Plans

Plan	Billed and limits	Price
Open source	Open source Python dataframe library; supported backends vary in operation coverage	Free

As ibis-project.org lists them, read 9 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Getting started

Install Ibis and a supported backend with pip, conda, mamba, or pixi.
Choose a backend from the more than 20 supported options.
Use DuckDB for local dataframes by default, or select another backend.
Write dataframe operations through the Ibis API and combine them with SQL as needed.
Use GitHub or Zulip for project help.

Verdict

Ibis offers a portable dataframe interface and a local-to-remote workflow, with backend coverage that varies. Check the required operations for your chosen backend and avoid installing the separate ibis package alongside ibis-framework.

Questions

Does Ibis cost anything?

Ibis is free and open source.

Which platforms can I use it on?

The listed platforms are API, Linux, macOS, self-hosted, and Windows. Installation is available through pip, conda, mamba, or pixi.

How many backends does Ibis support?

The project says its API supports more than 20 backends. API operation coverage varies by backend.

Can I use Ibis locally and then run remotely?

Yes. Ibis describes a workflow that moves from local iteration to remote deployment by changing a single line of code.

Which cloud backends does Ibis support and test?

The project names Google BigQuery, Snowflake, Databricks Cloud, and Amazon Athena. Their support could move to best effort if funding ends.

Where can I get help with Ibis?

The project recommends GitHub and Zulip. Voltron Data also offers commercial support.

Facts from Ibis's own pages

Backends: Ibis says its API supports more than 20 backends. · ibis-project.org, 4 Oct 2026
Backend switching: The project says users can iterate locally and deploy remotely by changing a single line of code. · ibis-project.org, 9 Oct 2026
Cloud backend support: Ibis says it supports and tests BigQuery, Snowflake, Databricks Cloud and Amazon Athena, and those backends may move to best-effort support if funding dries up. · ibis-project.org, 9 Oct 2026
Cloud support: Ibis says it supports and tests Google BigQuery, Snowflake, Databricks Cloud, and Amazon Athena, with support potentially moving to best effort if funding ends. · ibis-project.org, 4 Oct 2026
Help: The project recommends GitHub and Zulip for help, and says Voltron Data offers commercial support. · ibis-project.org, 4 Oct 2026
Installation: Ibis and supported backends can be installed with pip, conda, mamba or pixi. · ibis-project.org, 9 Oct 2026
Integrations: The documented Python data integrations include pandas and Polars, with visualization tools such as matplotlib, seaborn, Plotly, Vega-Altair and plotnine. · ibis-project.org, 9 Oct 2026
Local execution: Ibis uses DuckDB by default and also supports local execution with Polars or DataFusion. · ibis-project.org, 9 Oct 2026
Notable limitation: Support for the full Ibis API varies by backend because SQL dialects and upstream operation support differ. · ibis-project.org, 9 Oct 2026
Package conflict: The installation page warns that the PyPI package named ibis is distinct from ibis-framework, and that the two cannot coexist in one Python environment because both use the ibis module name. · ibis-project.org, 4 Oct 2026
Product: Ibis is a portable Python dataframe library that provides one API for more than 20 data backends. · ibis-project.org, 9 Oct 2026
Production use: Ibis says its API is stable, while breaking changes can occur across major versions and the team aims to make migration easy. · ibis-project.org, 4 Oct 2026
Project governance: Ibis is an open-source project that welcomes contributions; Voltron Data is its primary sponsor and employs most of the core development team. · ibis-project.org, 9 Oct 2026
Project support: Voltron Data is Ibis's primary sponsor, and the project page says most of the core development team is employed there. · ibis-project.org, 4 Oct 2026
Security: The reviewed official pages do not state security certifications or compliance claims. · ibis-project.org, 9 Oct 2026
Security and compliance: The opened official pages do not state security certifications or compliance claims. · ibis-project.org, 4 Oct 2026
SQL and Python: Ibis compiles its dataframe API into the backend’s native language and lets users mix SQL strings with Python dataframe code. · ibis-project.org, 9 Oct 2026
Support: For help, the project points users to GitHub and Zulip, and says Voltron Data offers commercial support for Ibis. · ibis-project.org, 9 Oct 2026
Use cases: The project describes Ibis use for exploratory data analysis, analytics, data engineering, machine learning and library development. · ibis-project.org, 9 Oct 2026
What it is: Ibis is an open-source portable Python dataframe library that executes on query engines through a consistent API. · ibis-project.org, 4 Oct 2026
Who it is for: The Why Ibis page identifies practitioners, data platforms, organizations, and library developers as audiences for Ibis. · ibis-project.org, 4 Oct 2026
Workflow: Ibis lets users iterate locally and deploy remotely by changing a single line of code. · ibis-project.org, 4 Oct 2026

Where Ibis stands on Freedom251

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