Ibis
Ibis is a free, open-source Python dataframe library that provides a consistent API across more than 20 query-engine backends.
What Ibis is
Ibis is a free, open-source Python dataframe library that provides a consistent API across more than 20 query-engine backends. It lets users develop with local dataframes and then deploy remotely by changing one line of code. For local execution it uses DuckDB by default and also names Polars and DataFusion. Users can combine SQL and Python dataframe code. Ibis supports data formats including CSV, TSV, JSON, Parquet, Delta Lake and Avro, and documented integrations include pandas, Polars and visualization tools such as matplotlib, seaborn, Plotly, Vega-Altair and plotnine. The project supports and tests Google BigQuery, Snowflake, Databricks Cloud and Amazon Athena, though support for these cloud backends could move to best effort if funding ends. Backend coverage of the full API varies with SQL dialects and upstream operation support. Ibis and a supported backend can be installed with pip, conda, mamba or pixi. Take care not to install the separate PyPI package named ibis in the same environment: it conflicts with ibis-framework because both use the ibis module name. The project identifies practitioners, data platforms, organizations and library developers as audiences.
Good
- Provides one API for more than 20 backends.
- Supports local work and remote deployment.
- Combines SQL and Python dataframe code.
- Open source and free to use.
- Works with several common data formats.
Watch out
- API coverage varies by backend.
- Cloud backend support could shift to best effort.
- The separate PyPI ibis package conflicts with ibis-framework.
Who it suits
Ibis suits Python practitioners and organizations that want a common dataframe interface across query engines. It may also interest data platform and library developers working with multiple backends.
Verdict
Ibis can reduce dependence on a single query engine while supporting local and remote workflows. Check backend operation coverage and avoid the conflicting PyPI package when installing it.
Plans and prices
From Ibis's own pricing page, checked 9 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Open source | Free | Open source Python dataframe library; supported backends vary in operation coverage |
The facts
Each one read from Ibis's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Backends
- Ibis says its API supports more than 20 backends.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Backend switching
- The project says users can iterate locally and deploy remotely by changing a single line of code.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Cloud backend support
- Ibis says it supports and tests BigQuery, Snowflake, Databricks Cloud and Amazon Athena, and those backends may move to best-effort support if funding dries up.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Cloud support
- Ibis says it supports and tests Google BigQuery, Snowflake, Databricks Cloud, and Amazon Athena, with support potentially moving to best effort if funding ends.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Help
- The project recommends GitHub and Zulip for help, and says Voltron Data offers commercial support.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Installation
- Ibis and supported backends can be installed with pip, conda, mamba or pixi.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The documented Python data integrations include pandas and Polars, with visualization tools such as matplotlib, seaborn, Plotly, Vega-Altair and plotnine.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Local execution
- Ibis uses DuckDB by default and also supports local execution with Polars or DataFusion.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Notable limitation
- Support for the full Ibis API varies by backend because SQL dialects and upstream operation support differ.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Package conflict
- The installation page warns that the PyPI package named ibis is distinct from ibis-framework, and that the two cannot coexist in one Python environment because both use the ibis module name.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Product
- Ibis is a portable Python dataframe library that provides one API for more than 20 data backends.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Production use
- Ibis says its API is stable, while breaking changes can occur across major versions and the team aims to make migration easy.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Project governance
- Ibis is an open-source project that welcomes contributions; Voltron Data is its primary sponsor and employs most of the core development team.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Project support
- Voltron Data is Ibis's primary sponsor, and the project page says most of the core development team is employed there.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Security
- The reviewed official pages do not state security certifications or compliance claims.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Security and compliance
- The opened official pages do not state security certifications or compliance claims.checked 4 Oct 2026
- SQL and Python
- Ibis compiles its dataframe API into the backend’s native language and lets users mix SQL strings with Python dataframe code.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Support
- For help, the project points users to GitHub and Zulip, and says Voltron Data offers commercial support for Ibis.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Use cases
- The project describes Ibis use for exploratory data analysis, analytics, data engineering, machine learning and library development.checked 9 Oct 2026
- What it is
- Ibis is an open-source portable Python dataframe library that executes on query engines through a consistent API.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Who it is for
- The Why Ibis page identifies practitioners, data platforms, organizations, and library developers as audiences for Ibis.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Workflow
- Ibis lets users iterate locally and deploy remotely by changing a single line of code.checked 4 Oct 2026
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