dbt Semantic Layer
7.5#3 in semantic layer softwareFrom $100 a monthFree planWebAPIExtension
Visitdbt Semantic Layer vs Starburst Enterprise Context Layer
Starburst Enterprise Context Layer
7.5#2 in query engine software$0.50 usage-basedFree planWebAPISelf-hosted
VisitWhat both publish
| Fact | dbt Semantic Layer | Starburst Enterprise Context Layer |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2016 | 2017 |
| Headquarters | Oakland, California, United States | Boston, Massachusetts, 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. | The platform connects to more than 50 sources, including Apache Iceberg, Delta Lake, Hive, Amazon S3, Snowflake, and PostgreSQL. |
| Licence | The dbt Semantic Layer service and APIs are proprietary cloud software; MetricFlow and dbt-semantic-interfaces are Apache 2.0 licensed. | SEP is a commercial Trino distribution; Trino itself is open source under Apache License 2.0, while some SEP features require a licence key. |
dbt Semantic Layer plans
- DeveloperFree
- dbt State add-on$0.09 a month
- Starter$100 a month
- EnterprisePriced on request
- Enterprise+Priced on request
Starburst Enterprise Context Layer plans
- FreeFree
- Pro$0.50 a month
- Enterprise$0.75 a month
- Mission-Critical$1 a month
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 Starburst Enterprise Context Layer if…
Starburst Enterprise Context Layer suits teams that need governed, versioned data products for BI tools, APIs, AI agents, or apps. It is aimed at regulated industries including financial services, healthcare, insurance, and government.