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Metriql

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What Metriql is

Metriql is an open-source metrics store and headless business intelligence layer for defining metrics as code and sharing them across BI and data tools. Teams can define metrics centrally and synchronize them to other tools. Metriql integrates with dbt, maps dbt resources to datasets, and can generate roll-up models programmatically to speed up BI and other data tools. It rewrites queries and runs them on the target database; the project says it does not embed Trino or process data itself. The project provides a REST API, JDBC driver, and CLI, and the REST API can support embedded analytics. Listed database adapters include Postgres, Redshift, BigQuery, Snowflake, Presto, MySQL, SQL Server, Azure SQL, and ClickHouse, though not all dbt adapters are supported. BI integrations marked ready include Tableau, Redash, Superset, Mode, Metabase, Looker, and Google Data Studio. The integrations page says all integrations are in alpha; Power BI is in progress, while Qlik and MicroStrategy need testing. Metriql is free and supports API, self-hosted, and web access. The project directs users to its Slack community and welcomes contributions and integration suggestions on GitHub. Its privacy policy says connectors may use short-lived encrypted caches and that data almost always remains in the user's environment.

Who it suits

Metriql suits teams that want to define shared metrics centrally and use them across BI and data tools. Its documented audiences include business, finance, and marketing teams, product managers, SQL analysts, and data scientists working with Python, R, and APIs.

What it does well

  • Open-source metrics store for defining metrics as code.
  • Integrates with dbt and maps its resources to datasets.
  • Provides a REST API, JDBC driver, and CLI.
  • Listed adapters include Postgres, BigQuery, Snowflake, and ClickHouse.
  • Supports centrally defined, governed metrics and dimensions with joins.

What to know first

  • All listed BI integrations are in alpha.
  • Metriql does not run dbt models; teams must run table or incremental models themselves.
  • Not all dbt adapters are supported.

Limits

All BI integrations are in alpha. Metriql does not run dbt table or incremental models, and not all dbt adapters are supported.

Getting started

  1. Visit the Metriql website and review its documentation.
  2. Choose a self-hosted deployment or use its web and API access.
  3. Connect a supported database adapter.
  4. Integrate dbt to map resources to datasets and define metrics.
  5. Connect a BI or data tool using an available integration, REST API, JDBC driver, or CLI.
  6. Run your own dbt table or incremental models.

Verdict

Choose Metriql if you want a free, self-hosted way to define metrics centrally and expose them through BI and data tools. Teams that need mature BI integrations or want Metriql to run their dbt table or incremental models should account for the project's alpha integrations and model-running requirement.

Questions

Does Metriql have a free plan?

Metriql is free and open source.

Can Metriql be self-hosted?

Yes. Self-hosted deployment is supported, alongside web and API access.

Which BI tools are listed as ready?

The list includes Tableau, Redash, Superset, Mode, Metabase, Looker, and Google Data Studio. All integrations are described as alpha.

Which databases does it support?

Listed adapters include Postgres, Redshift, BigQuery, Snowflake, Presto, MySQL, SQL Server, Azure SQL, and ClickHouse. Not all dbt adapters are supported.

Does Metriql run dbt models?

No. Users need to run table or incremental models themselves.

How does Metriql handle data?

It rewrites queries and runs them on the target database, and says it does not embed Trino or process data itself. Its privacy policy says connectors may cache data in short-lived encrypted caches and data almost always remains in the user's environment.

Facts from Metriql's own pages

Aggregates
Metriql can programmatically create dbt roll-up models to speed up BI and other data tools. · metriql.com, 4 Oct 2026
API
The REST API serves datasets from a dbt Core manifest and supports JWT-based authorization when configured with API auth secrets. · metriql.com, 9 Oct 2026
BI integrations
The integrations page lists Tableau, Redash, Superset, Mode Analytics, Metabase, Looker, and Google Data Studio as ready; it says integrations are in alpha. · metriql.com, 9 Oct 2026
Central metrics
Metriql lets teams define metrics centrally and synchronize them to other tools. · metriql.com, 4 Oct 2026
Database support
The listed adapters include Postgres, Redshift, BigQuery, Snowflake, Presto, MySQL, SQL Server, Azure SQL, and ClickHouse; the page notes that not all dbt adapters are supported. · metriql.com, 4 Oct 2026
Data handling
Metriql's privacy policy says its connectors may cache data in short-lived encrypted caches and that data almost always remains in the user's environment. · metriql.com, 4 Oct 2026
Data warehouse
Metriql works on top of a data warehouse and compiles queries to SQL for the target warehouse. · metriql.com, 9 Oct 2026
dbt
Metriql integrates with dbt, maps dbt resources as datasets, and can create automatic roll-up models. · metriql.com, 9 Oct 2026
dbt execution
Metriql does not run dbt Core models; users must run table or incremental models themselves. · metriql.com, 9 Oct 2026
dbt integration
Metriql integrates with dbt, maps dbt resources to datasets, and can generate roll-up models. · metriql.com, 4 Oct 2026
Embedded analytics
The REST API can serve as the backend for single-page analytical applications and supports authorization and CORS. · metriql.com, 9 Oct 2026
Integration maturity
The BI integrations page says all integrations are in alpha. · metriql.com, 4 Oct 2026
Intended users
The introduction describes use by business, finance, and marketing teams with BI tools, product managers with analytics tools, analysts using SQL, and data scientists using Python, R, and APIs. · metriql.com, 9 Oct 2026
Interfaces
The project includes a REST API, JDBC driver, and CLI, and supports embedded analytics through the REST API. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Maintainer
The FAQ says LiveRamp acquired Metriql in December 2021 and its teams have maintained it since. · metriql.com, 9 Oct 2026
Notable limit
Metriql does not run dbt models; users need to run table or incremental models themselves. · metriql.com, 4 Oct 2026
Open source
The FAQ describes Metriql as open-source and says it can be run in a company's own infrastructure or served to its customers. · metriql.com, 9 Oct 2026
Other integrations
The integrations page lists Google Sheets and JDBC clients including DBeaver and JetBrains DataGrip as ready, and Power BI as in progress. · metriql.com, 9 Oct 2026
Performance
The FAQ says Metriql acts as a query proxy, does not process queries itself, and maintains pooled connections to the target warehouse. · metriql.com, 9 Oct 2026
Product
Metriql describes itself as a headless BI and metadata layer for centrally defining metrics and sharing them across data tools. · metriql.com, 9 Oct 2026
Query execution
Metriql rewrites queries and runs them on the target database; it says it does not embed Trino or process data itself. · metriql.com, 4 Oct 2026
Security
The REST API supports JWT-based authorization when configured with API auth secrets, and embedded analytics supports authorization and CORS. · metriql.com, 4 Oct 2026
Support
The documentation invites users to suggest integrations on GitHub and join the Metriql Slack community. · metriql.com, 9 Oct 2026

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