Side by side
Open Data Editor vs OpenRefine
Both stand on data preparation software. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan LinuxMacWindows
Open Data Editor focuses on helping non-technical users check and improve tabular data on desktop. Its local-first approach and named data standards may matter to teams weighing how they work with sensitive or structured datasets.
Visit Open Data Editor
Free plan LinuxMacSelf-hosted+2
OpenRefine offers local data cleaning and enrichment with a wide range of import formats and an operation history. Users should account for the Java requirement and the lack of default data encryption.
Visit OpenRefineThe facts
| Open Data Editor | OpenRefine | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | Linux, Mac, Windows | Linux, Mac, Self-hosted, Web, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Free or on request | Free or on request |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | okfn.org | openrefine.org |
| On data preparation software | #11 of 28 | #7 of 28 |
Open Data Editor: what it does well
- Free and open-source desktop app.
- Designed for users who do not code.
- AI features identify anomalies and suggest corrections.
- Maker describes the app as local-first.
- Free online data-literacy course is available.
What to know first
- Desktop app rather than a web platform.
- Downloads are listed for Debian/Ubuntu, macOS, and Windows.
OpenRefine: what it does well
- Processes data locally rather than in a cloud service.
- Basic functions work offline.
- Includes faceting, clustering, and reconciliation tools.
- Imports a wide range of data formats.
What to know first
- Java must be installed and configured.
- Data is not encrypted by default.
- It is desktop software, not a mobile app.
Alternatives to Open Data Editor Alternatives to OpenRefine The whole list