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Databox vs Looker

Databox and Looker are both BI & dashboards tools. Databox is aimed at agencies and small businesses, while Looker is aimed at enterprise and developers. Both have a free plan.

Databox

KPI dashboards from 100+ integrations

Looker

Google Cloud's enterprise BI platform built on LookML

PricingFreemium · $71Paid
Starting price$71/moNot published
Free planYesYes
Free trial14 days30 days
Built forAgencies, Small businessesEnterprise, Developers
Platformsweb, ios, androidweb
CountryUS · 2012US · 2012
Rating——

Choose Databox if

SMBs and agencies tracking KPIs.

  • Quick dashboards
  • Benchmarks unique
  • Agency features

Look elsewhere if: Complex BI.

Choose Looker if

Data teams on a modern cloud warehouse, especially BigQuery, that need governed metrics or embedded analytics at scale.

  • Single source of truth for metrics across the whole company
  • No data extracts: always queries live warehouse data
  • Strong embedded analytics and API for customer-facing use

Look elsewhere if: Small teams that need a few dashboards on a budget (Data Studio, Metabase, Power BI).

Databox vs Looker pricing

Databox

  • Free$01 user, 3 data sources, 50 AI credits/mo
  • Analyst$71/moBilled annually; 1 user, 5 data sources
  • Agency$79/moBilled annually; unlimited users, 20 sources, + account packs
  • Team (Core)$199/moBilled annually; 3 users, 10 data sources
  • Team (Scale)$319/moBilled annually; 10 users, 30 data sources

Looker

  • StandardCustomUnder 50 users; incl. 10 standard + 2 developer users; annual
  • EnterpriseCustomInternal BI at scale; 1 to 3 year commitments
  • EmbedCustomExternal and customer-facing analytics at scale
  • Trial$030 days; 5 viewer, 1 standard, 1 developer user

Databox · Key features

  • 100+ integrations
  • Dashboards and scorecards
  • Goals and alerts
  • Benchmarks
  • Forecasting
  • Client reporting

Cons

  • Limited data modeling
  • Costs grow with sources
  • Not a BI replacement

Looker · Key features

  • LookML semantic layer with Git version control for governed metrics
  • In-database querying on BigQuery, Snowflake, Redshift and Databricks
  • Gemini conversational analytics across up to five Explores
  • Explores for self-service drill-down without writing SQL
  • Embedded analytics with signed embedding and APIs for customer apps
  • Scheduled deliveries and alerts to email, Slack and webhooks

Cons

  • No published prices; contracts are typically five figures and up
  • Requires developers who know LookML
  • Visualisation options are weaker than Tableau

Databox vs Looker: FAQ

Do Databox and Looker have a free plan?

Yes, both Databox and Looker have a free plan; paid plans add more usage and features.

Which is better for small businesses, Databox or Looker?

Databox lists small businesses as a core audience, while Looker is aimed more at enterprise and developers.

Not sure yet?