Best Semantic Layer Software in 2026
Updated
In short: Cube is ranked #1 of 28 as of 4 October 2026, ahead of Starburst Enterprise Context Layer and dbt Semantic Layer. The best-ranked option with a free plan is Starburst Enterprise Context Layer. The lowest first paid tier on this page is Kyvos at $0.41/mo.
Shared definitions for metrics and business concepts can make analytics queries more consistent across teams. Cube, Starburst Enterprise Context Layer, and Kyvos lead the ranked entries; compare them on governed metrics, certified models, dimensions and joins, and row-level security. Deployment model and query API can help you judge how a semantic layer fits your data environment and access needs. Free-plan availability and starting paid prices are also included. Look further down the opening entries for GoodData, Strata, and dbt Semantic Layer, then use the comparison points to focus on how you want to define, query, and govern data.
28 semantic layer software ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
#1 Cube Top pick · 6.9 Free plan · $40/mo
#2 Starburst Enterprise Context Layer Runner-up · 6.8 Free plan · Free
#3 dbt Semantic Layer Also great · 6.7 Free plan · $100/mo
- Free plan apiLinuxself-hostedWeb
- Free plan
- Yes
- Paid from
- 40 /mo
- Governed metrics
- Yes
- Dimensions and joins
- Yes
- Row-level security
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms$40/mofirst paid tier About CubeVisit site - Free planFree trial apiself-hostedWeb
- Free plan
- Yes
- Governed metrics
- Yes
- Dimensions and joins
- Yes
- Row-level security
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Free planFree trial apiWeb
- Free plan
- Yes
- Governed metrics
- Yes
- Dimensions and joins
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms$100/mofirst paid tier About dbt Semantic LayerVisit site - Free planFree trial apiself-hostedWeb
- Free plan
- Yes
- Governed metrics
- Yes
- Dimensions and joins
- Yes
- Row-level security
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms$49/mofirst paid tier About SemaVisit site - Free plan apiself-hostedWeb
- Free plan
- Yes
- Governed metrics
- Yes
- Dimensions and joins
- Yes
- Row-level security
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Free plan apiself-hostedWeb
- Free plan
- Yes
- Paid from
- 250 /mo
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms$250/mofirst paid tier About DefiniteVisit site - Free trial apiLinuxmacOSself-hostedWebWindows
- Free plan
- No
- Governed metrics
- Yes
- Dimensions and joins
- Yes
- Row-level security
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms$0.41/mofirst paid tier About KyvosVisit site - self-hosted
- Free plan
- Yes
- Row-level security
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms$15/mofirst paid tier About TableauVisit site - LinuxWeb
- Free plan
- Yes
- Governed metrics
- Yes
- Dimensions and joins
- Yes
- Row-level security
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - WebWindowsmacOSLinux
- Governed metrics
- Yes
- Dimensions and joins
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Free trial apiWeb
- Free plan
- No
- Paid from
- 1,000 /mo
- Governed metrics
- Yes
- Dimensions and joins
- Yes
- Row-level security
- Yes
- Certified models
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms$1,000/mofirst paid tier About Quaeris Semantic LayerVisit site - Web
- Free plan
- No
- Governed metrics
- Yes
- Dimensions and joins
- Yes
- Row-level security
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Web
- Free plan
- No
- Paid from
- 800 /mo
- Row-level security
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms$960/mofirst paid tier About HolisticsVisit site - Web
- Governed metrics
- Yes
- Dimensions and joins
- Yes
- Row-level security
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Web
- Free plan
- No
- Row-level security
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - WebmacOSLinux
- Free plan
- No
- Governed metrics
- Yes
- Dimensions and joins
- Yes
- Row-level security
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Web
- Free plan
- No
- Row-level security
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Web
- Governed metrics
- Yes
- Dimensions and joins
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Web
- Governed metrics
- Yes
- Dimensions and joins
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms -
- Governed metrics
- Yes
- Dimensions and joins
- Yes
- Row-level security
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms -
- Governed metrics
- Yes
- Row-level security
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Web
- Free plan
- No
- Governed metrics
- Yes
- Dimensions and joins
- Yes
- Row-level security
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms -
- Dimensions and joins
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms -
- Governed metrics
- Yes
- Dimensions and joins
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms -
- Governed metrics
- Yes
- Dimensions and joins
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms
Is your app on this list?
Numbered spots on this list can be sponsored. They are labelled, and the editorial order and scores never change for payment.
Questions about this list
Which semantic layer software is ranked first on Everything Xiaomi?
Cube is ranked #1 of 28 with a score of 6.9. Starburst Enterprise Context Layer is second and dbt Semantic Layer third.
How many of these have a free plan?
6 of the 25 on this page publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
Which is the cheapest paid option?
On this page, Kyvos has the lowest first paid tier we found: $0.41/mo.
How is this list ranked?
Ranked on what each maker publishes: documentation depth, a free tier and the platforms it runs on. Paid placements never change a rank.