Side by side
Sidemantic vs Strata
Both stand on semantic layer software. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan APISelf-hostedWeb
Choose Sidemantic if you need a free, open-source semantic layer for governed metrics, multiple query interfaces, or MCP access for LLMs. Look elsewhere if you need a BI or ETL tool, or if the project's stated rough patches in format conversion and its Postgres protocol server are a concern.
Visit Sidemantic
Free plan APISelf-hostedWeb
Visit Strata The facts
| Sidemantic | Strata | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | API, Self-hosted, Web | API, Self-hosted, Web |
| Lowest paid plan | Not published | Free or on request |
| Plans published | None | 3 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | sidemantic.com | strata.do |
| On semantic layer software | #13 of 28 | #9 of 28 |
Sidemantic: what it does well
- Authors can define models in YAML, SQL, or Python.
- Imports semantic models from more than 15 formats.
- Native adapters include Snowflake, BigQuery, Postgres, ClickHouse, Databricks, and Spark.
- Offers semantic SQL, Python API, CLI, MCP, and Postgres wire protocol.
- Infers join paths and uses symmetric aggregates for one-to-many joins.
What to know first
- Runs on top of a data warehouse; it is not a BI or ETL tool.
- The project notes possible rough patches in format conversion and its Postgres protocol server.
- Self-hosted deployment requires teams to run the project themselves.
Strata: what it does well
Alternatives to Sidemantic Alternatives to Strata The whole list