Side by side
Alation Data Intelligence Platform vs OpenMetadata
Both stand on metadata management software. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Paid APISelf-hostedWeb
Alation brings catalog search, lineage, governance, and data quality context into a shared platform. Organizations must request pricing and an estimate for the consumption-unit pool.
Visit Alation Data Intelligence Platform
Free plan APISelf-hostedWeb
OpenMetadata combines data cataloging and governance with business definitions and organizational memory. Teams choosing an authentication setup should note that simultaneous use of multiple mechanisms is unsupported.
Visit OpenMetadataThe facts
| Alation Data Intelligence Platform | OpenMetadata | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Not published | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | API, Self-hosted, Web | API, Self-hosted, Web |
| Lowest paid plan | Free or on request | Free or on request |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | alation.com | open-metadata.org |
| On metadata management software | #8 of 15 | #4 of 15 |
Alation Data Intelligence Platform: what it does well
- Natural-language search for data assets
- Automated column-level lineage
- Policy tools for risk and compliance
- More than 120 listed connectors
- On-premises and multi-cloud deployment options
What to know first
- Pricing is available on request
- Consumption-unit pool size is estimated with Alation
OpenMetadata: what it does well
- Catalog includes discovery, quality, observability, and lineage.
- Connectors support 130+ data services.
- Can be self-hosted or tried in a live sandbox.
- Provides a native MCP server and AI SDK.
- Self-hosted plan is listed as free.
What to know first
- Multiple authentication mechanisms cannot be used simultaneously.
- Self-hosted deployment requires managing the organization’s own environment.
Alternatives to Alation Data Intelligence Platform Alternatives to OpenMetadata The whole list