Zenlytic Metrics Layer

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What Zenlytic Metrics Layer is

Zenlytic Metrics Layer is an open-source project for giving people across an organization consistent access to metrics. It reads a data model and exposes metrics and dimensions through a Python client library or SQL using an MQL tag. Listed capabilities include governed metrics, dimensions and joins, row-level security, and a query API. The project can connect to Snowflake, BigQuery, Postgres, Druid, DuckDB, SQL Server, and Redshift, though Druid, DuckDB, and SQL Server are limited to SQL compilation rather than query execution. The repository identifies Zenlytic as the only supported BI tool. Its documentation describes dbt semantic-layer integration through Metricflow versions 1.8 to 1.10 and says dbt Metrics is not supported from version 0.11 onward. The self-hosted open-source plan is available under Apache-2.0 and lists Python >=3.8 and <3.11; warehouse support varies by connector. Zenlytic's separate platform has seat-based and query-based pricing plus platform fees, with an exact quote requiring a sales conversation.

Who it suits

Metrics Layer suits organizations seeking consistent, governed metric access through Python or SQL and able to manage a self-hosted deployment. Teams should check their BI tool, warehouse connector, and Python version first.

What it does well

Open source under Apache-2.0.
Exposes metrics through Python or SQL.
Includes row-level security and governed metrics.
Lists seven warehouse connectors.
Self-hosted deployment model.

What to know first

Only Zenlytic is listed as a supported BI tool.
Three connectors support SQL compilation, not execution.
Python must be >=3.8 and <3.11.
Warehouse support varies by connector.

Limits

The free open-source plan requires Python >=3.8 and <3.11, and warehouse support varies by connector. Druid, DuckDB, and SQL Server are limited to SQL compilation rather than query execution.

Plans

Plan	Billed and limits	Price
Open-source Metrics Layer	Apache-2.0 · Python >=3.8 and <3.11 · Warehouse support varies by connector	Free

As github.com lists them, read 8 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Getting started

Open the project repository at https://github.com/Zenlytic/metrics_layer.
Choose the warehouse-specific pip install command for your connector.
Use Python >=3.8 and <3.11.
Pass your warehouse connection details directly to Metrics Layer to start querying.
If using dbt's semantic layer, use a supported Metricflow version from 1.8 through 1.10.

Verdict

Metrics Layer provides a self-hosted, open-source way to expose governed metrics through Python or SQL. Connector limits and its single supported BI tool may determine whether it fits an organization's data setup.

Questions

Is Zenlytic Metrics Layer free?

Yes. The open-source plan is free and is licensed under Apache-2.0.

How does it expose metrics?

It reads a data model and exposes metrics and dimensions through a Python client library or SQL using an MQL tag.

Which warehouses does it support?

The repository lists Snowflake, BigQuery, Postgres, Druid, DuckDB, SQL Server, and Redshift. Druid, DuckDB, and SQL Server support SQL compilation only.

Which BI tools are supported?

The repository identifies Zenlytic as the only supported BI tool.

Does it integrate with dbt?

The documentation describes integration with dbt's semantic layer through Metricflow versions 1.8–1.10. It says dbt Metrics is no longer supported in version 0.11 and above.

How is the separate Zenlytic platform priced?

Its pricing is seat-based and query-based, with platform fees. An exact quote requires a sales conversation.

Facts from Zenlytic Metrics Layer's own pages

BI support: The repository says Zenlytic is the only supported BI tool for Metrics Layer. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
dbt integration: The documentation says Metrics Layer integrates with dbt's semantic layer using Metricflow versions 1.8 through 1.10, and no longer supports dbt Metrics in version 0.11 and above. · docs.zenlytic.com, 8 Oct 2026
Headquarters: New York, NY · github.com, 28 Sept 2026
How it works: It reads a data model and exposes metrics and dimensions through a Python client library or SQL using an MQL tag. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
Open-source license: The GitHub repository identifies the project as public and lists an Apache-2.0 license. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
Platform security: Zenlytic's product page states that the platform is SOC 2 Type II certified and lists SSO/SAML, role-based access, and agent-level permissions. · zenlytic.com, 8 Oct 2026
Pricing: Zenlytic's pricing model is seat-based with query-based pricing and platform fees; the company says an exact quote requires a sales conversation. · zenlytic.com, 8 Oct 2026
Purpose: Metrics Layer is an open-source project intended to make access to metrics consistent across an organization. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
Setup: The repository provides warehouse-specific pip install commands and says users can pass connection details directly to Metrics Layer to start querying. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
Support: Zenlytic's support policy lists email support for technical issues, account configuration, data connectivity, and billing questions, plus an AI support agent available 24/7. · docs.zenlytic.com, 8 Oct 2026
Target users: The project aims to give people across an organization consistent access to metrics from the tools they use to access data. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
Trial: A Zenlytic company blog post says the platform offers a free trial to connect a warehouse and test Zoë; it does not state the trial duration. · zenlytic.com, 8 Oct 2026
Warehouse support: The repository lists Snowflake, BigQuery, Postgres, Druid, DuckDB, SQL Server, and Redshift, with Druid, DuckDB, and SQL Server limited to SQL compilation rather than query execution. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026

Where Zenlytic Metrics Layer stands on Freedom251

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