dbt Semantic Layer
7.5#3 in semantic layer softwareFrom $100 a monthFree planWebAPIExtension
Visitdbt Semantic Layer vs MetricFlow
MetricFlow
8.1#1 in semantic layer softwareFrom $100 a monthFree planWebAPILinuxmacOS
VisitWhat both publish
| Fact | dbt Semantic Layer | MetricFlow |
|---|---|---|
| APIs | The Semantic Layer provides GraphQL and JDBC APIs and a Python SDK for querying metrics and dimensions. | Custom integrations can use JDBC, ADBC, GraphQL, and the Python SDK library. |
| Documentation depth | Documentation covers semantic models, entities, dimensions, metrics, CLI commands, manifests, deployment, credentials, tokens, and integrations. | The developer documentation includes guides for joins, time spines, validations, semantic models, metrics, saved queries, advanced modeling, deployment, caching, exports, integrations, and APIs. |
| Founded | 2016 | 2016 |
| Headquarters | Oakland, California, United States | Oakland, California, USA |
| Integrations | The product page says the Semantic Layer offers an API, the dbt MCP Server, and dozens of out-of-the-box integrations for BI, notebooks, spreadsheets, embedded analytics, and AI systems. | Official documentation lists downstream integrations including Tableau, Hex, Dot, Mode, and Google Sheets. |
| Licence | The dbt Semantic Layer service and APIs are proprietary cloud software; MetricFlow and dbt-semantic-interfaces are Apache 2.0 licensed. | MetricFlow versions 0.209.0 and newer use Apache 2.0; earlier releases used AGPL or BSL licensing. |
| Purpose | The Semantic Layer centralizes metric definitions on dbt models and automatically handles data joins for consistent use across downstream tools and applications. | MetricFlow defines and manages metric logic and generates SQL for querying metrics across data dimensions. |
dbt Semantic Layer plans
- DeveloperFree
- dbt State add-on$0.09 a month
- Starter$100 a month
- EnterprisePriced on request
- Enterprise+Priced on request
MetricFlow plans
- DeveloperFree
- MetricFlowFree
- Starter$100 a month
- EnterprisePriced on request
- Enterprise+Priced on request
Pick dbt Semantic Layer if…
The Semantic Layer suits data teams that need governed, consistent metrics for analytics, embedded applications, or AI use cases. It is for organizations already using dbt Starter or Enterprise accounts to define and query metrics.
Pick MetricFlow if…
MetricFlow may suit data teams that use dbt and want to define reusable metrics and generate SQL across dimensions. It requires a working dbt project and adapter.