Modern BI tools compared. One requires dbt, the other doesn't. See which analytics platform fits your data team's stack and workflow.
| Feature | Flowframe | Lightdash |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free / $49/mo Pro (workspace) | Free (self-hosted) / $50/user/mo Cloud |
| dbt Required? | No — connect any database directly | Yes — requires an existing dbt project |
| Setup Complexity | Low — connect database and go | Medium — requires dbt project configuration |
| Data Privacy | Query results never stored | Cloud: data stored on servers |
| Visual Canvas | Node-based infinite canvas | Traditional dashboard builder |
| No-Code Builder | Yes — visual query builder | Limited — relies on dbt models |
| Target User | All data teams (with or without dbt) | dbt-native data engineering teams |
FlowFrame is a collaborative analytics platform that doesn't require dbt or any specific data stack. Connect your database directly, upload files, or write SQL — and start analyzing immediately on a visual, node-based canvas. FlowFrame includes a no-code query builder, real-time collaboration, and interactive dashboards, all without dbt as a prerequisite.
Flowframe is great if you:
Don't use dbt and don't want the overhead of setting it up
Want to start analyzing data immediately without prerequisites
Have mixed-skill teams who need a no-code query builder
Need real-time collaboration with live cursors
Lightdash is an open-source BI tool built specifically for teams using dbt (data build tool). It connects directly to your dbt project and uses your dbt models as the foundation for dashboards and analytics. This tight coupling means metrics are defined in code and version-controlled with Git — great for governance, but it requires dbt expertise.
Lightdash is great if you:
Already use dbt extensively and want BI that leverages your models
Want metrics defined in version-controlled code (single source of truth)
Have data engineers who maintain dbt models
Prefer open-source tools with self-hosting options
FlowFrame (No dbt Required)
Connect any supported database directly — no additional tools needed
Upload CSV, Parquet, or JSON files for instant browser-based analysis
No-code query builder for non-technical users, SQL editor for power users
Works for teams at any technical level — from business analysts to engineers
Start querying data in minutes with zero prerequisites
Lightdash (dbt Required)
Requires an existing dbt project — no dbt, no Lightdash
Metrics defined in dbt YAML files and version-controlled with Git
Tight integration with the modern data stack (dbt + warehouse)
Must learn and maintain dbt — significant investment for teams new to it
Requires data engineering resources to build and maintain dbt models
If your team already uses dbt, Lightdash leverages your investment. If you don't use dbt (or don't want to), FlowFrame lets you skip the overhead entirely.
FlowFrame
Query results are transient — never stored on FlowFrame servers
Database credentials encrypted with AES-256
Client-side file encryption for uploads before server storage
All data encrypted at rest (AES-256) and in transit (TLS 1.3)
Lightdash
Self-hosted: Full control over infrastructure and data residency
Cloud: Data is processed and stored on Lightdash's servers
Security configuration is your responsibility (self-hosted)
GDPR compliance requires manual configuration and maintenance
FlowFrame for managed privacy with zero query result storage. Lightdash self-hosted for full infrastructure control.
FlowFrame
Workflow: Enter database credentials → Connect → Start querying
Setup time: 5-10 minutes to connect and run your first query
No prerequisites — no dbt project, no special infrastructure
Upload files for instant analysis without any database connection
Lightdash
Requires an existing dbt project as the foundation
Workflow: Configure dbt → Connect warehouse → Define metrics → Create charts
Setup time: Hours to days depending on dbt project maturity
Best for teams that already have a mature dbt setup
FlowFrame is dramatically faster to set up. Lightdash shines when you already have a mature dbt project.
FlowFrame
Free: Unlimited personal projects, all chart types, file uploads, public sharing
Pro: $49/month per workspace — 5 editor seats included, unlimited viewers
Additional editor seats: $10/user/month
Cost example (10-person team): $49-$99/month depending on editor count
Lightdash
Self-hosted: Free forever (you manage infrastructure and maintenance)
Cloud: $50/user/month with per-seat pricing
Enterprise: Custom pricing with additional features
Cost example (10 users on Cloud): $500/month
Lightdash self-hosted is free. For managed cloud hosting, FlowFrame ($49/mo) is far more affordable than Lightdash Cloud ($500/mo for 10 users).
FlowFrame
Metrics and queries defined directly in the platform
Changes apply immediately — no deployment step required
Workspace roles (Owner, Admin, Developer, Explorer, Viewer) for access control
More flexible and faster to iterate, but less formal governance than dbt
Lightdash
Metrics defined in dbt YAML files — version-controlled single source of truth
Changes tracked in Git with pull request review workflows
Strong governance: metrics are code-reviewed before deployment
Changes require CI/CD deployment — slower but more controlled
Lightdash for formal, code-reviewed data governance. FlowFrame for flexibility and speed of iteration.
FlowFrame
Node-based infinite canvas — build your entire analysis visually
Visual dependency tracking between queries and charts
Drag queries, visualizations, parameters, and text onto one canvas
See the full picture of your data workflow at a glance
Lightdash
Traditional dashboard builder with chart collections
Charts and dashboards built from dbt models
Standard BI layout with saved questions and dashboards
No visual workflow or dependency tracking
FlowFrame's canvas is a fundamentally different approach — visual, non-linear, and designed for exploratory analytics.
You don't use dbt and don't want the overhead of setting it up
You want to start analyzing data immediately — connect and query in minutes
Your team includes non-technical users who need a no-code builder
You want a visual, node-based canvas for building data workflows
You prefer flat pricing — $49/month vs $50/user/month
You need real-time collaboration with Figma-style live cursors
You already use dbt and want BI that natively integrates with your dbt models
You want metrics defined in code with Git version control and PR reviews
You have data engineers who maintain dbt projects and the modern data stack
You prefer open-source software with the option to self-host for free
You need formal data governance with code-reviewed metric definitions
Choose Lightdash if you're a dbt-native team wanting BI that leverages your dbt models, with code-reviewed metrics and open-source transparency.
Choose FlowFrame if you want fast, visual analytics without the dbt dependency — connect your database, build queries on a canvas, and collaborate in real-time.
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