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february 10, 2024

7 Open Source and 2 low-code solutions for BI-analytics visualization

In this article, we decided to share our knowledge about building analytical dashboards using 9 different no-code solutions: we will give a brief description, tell you about the advantages and disadvantages of each solution. 

The first part will cover such open-source solutions as Apache Superset, its subsidiary Preset, and Metabase. Let’s start, of course, with what everyone is familiar with:

Apache Superset

in Python

What does wikipedia says?

Apache Superset is an open source data exploration and visualization software focused on big data.It was developed by Airbnb employee Maxime Beauchemin, who is also one of the creators of Apache Airflow. Entered the Apache Incubator program in 2017[2].

It is considered to be almost the best Open Source project for building a dashboard.

It is part of The Apache Software Foundation.

Advantages

  • Multilanguage
  • Really large selection of databases for summarization: from standard to the rarest ones
  • Integration with authentication mechanisms: LDAP, database, LDAP, OpenID, OAuth
  • Huge selection of settings affecting the application
  • Friendly SQL query editor, by the way, similar to playground
  • Standardization of SQL queries. With the help of Jinja and Python gives the ability to send queries of any complexity using macros
  • It is possible to install on your own servers
  • Extensive choice of charts. It is necessary to note, charts are based on another Apache software company: Apache ECharts
  • Flexible customization of permissions using roles. Extensible security model allows you to delegate access to various product features and datasets
  • Function to create screenshots of each dashboard or chart
  • Embed access to dashboards via a public link
  • Smart filter customization
  • Notification system

Disadvantages

  • Regardless of the type of installation, it requires an experienced DevOps developer to deploy the application, even if it is a docker installation
  • By default, drivers are only available for SQLite
  • Making changes to program code or interface, again, requires an experienced professional
  • Low customization of charts could be noted, but there is Echarts which covers this drawback, so this point can be ignored
  • Minimal set of settings for data export

Preset

in Python

 

Preset.io is still the exact same Apache Superset, but in the cloud. If you need to use Superset but don’t have the resources for DevOps deployment. There is a free plan, suitable for exploring the capabilities of the product.

Advantages

  • A really large selection of databases for summarization: from the standard to the rarest ones
  • SQL query standardization
  • Multilanguage
  • Friendly SQL query editor, by the way, similar to playground
  • Extensive choice of charts
  • The same flexible setting of rights with the use of roles
  • Function of creating screenshots of dashboard or chart
  • Notification system

Disadvantages

  • Can’t change program code and interface
  • Low customization of charts
  • Minimal set of settings for data export

Metabase

in Java

Metabase was not chosen by chance. Metabase is considered the closest competitor to Superset and is practically as popular as Superset. It is positioned as a tool for analytics with high usability that can be handled by almost any employee of the company.

Advantages

  • Large selection of databases for summarization: from standard to the rarest ones
  • Not a bad selection of nice color schemes
  • Easy to install
  • Friendly query building interface: suitable not only for experienced users who are used to writing queries manually, but also for those who are not familiar with SQL
  • Function of embedding embed charts to other sites
  • Automated reports
  • Flexible customization of user rights
  • Multilanguage
  • Automated dashboard creation with X-Ray

Disadvantages

  • No free tariff, in contrast to the same Preset (if we talk about the cloud version)
  • Low customization of charts
  • Uncomplicated filtering on the dashboard
  • Visualization options are barely enough for most tasks

Redash

in Python

Redash, an open source SaaS application, allows you to take information from databases, spreadsheets, analytics services, and other sources and present it in the form of tables, charts, graphs, diagrams, and other visualizations, and share the results with your employees.

Advantages

  • Good choice of databases and integrations, such as Yandex.Metrica and ClickHouse
  • Easy installation on your own servers
  • Suitable for large boards with a large number of indicators
  • User friendly interface with numerous features

Disadvantages

  • Bugs: dashboard is not always updated
  • It takes a long time to update queries
  • You need a technical expert or knowledge on the topic to work with the platform
  • Requires a lot of permissions for the database
  • Few charts, and those that are available with minimal customization

Tipboard

in Python

The #1 tool according to slant.co as the best framework for Open Source dashboards. Tipboard is written in JavaScript and Python; use it to create customizable business metrics dashboards. Tipboard widgets are decoupled from data sources, making dashboards flexible and customizable.

Advantages

  • Customizing and creating dashboards using YAML
  • Ability to create multiple dashboards in one workspace
  • Data transfer in JSON format to the dashboard via API
  • Easy to install (middle DevOps level is sufficient)

Disadvantages

  • Not many graphs
  • Weak documentation
  • Tipboard does not support Python 3

Grafana

in GoLang

Grafana is a powerful, feature-rich data and metrics visualizer in Go and Typescript. It boasts an active community of developers and 30,000 stars on Github.Allows you to monitor server and architecture health, create, view and share dashboards.

Advantages

  • Official library with tons of templates and plugins
  • Lots of sources and databases. The largest set among all tools in the review
  • Individual desktop customization
  • Built-in user control and authentication mechanism
  • Screenshots, data annotations, customizable alerts and notifications
  • Can be downloaded for free or deployed at your place

Disadvantages

  • Does not support data collection and storage.
  • Takes a long time to customize the dashboard
  • Although the disadvantages seem weighty, chances are you won’t encounter them. For example, if you’re already using tools to store and collect data. Or, for example, setting up Grafana can become easier if you use the right hosting service. Essentially, you get the same open-code dashboards, but with better support and scalability for less money

Kibana

in node.js

A product from the creators of ElasticSearch, exclusively for ElasticStack functions. Not much use, but it can’t be left out.

It is a powerful open-code application for data navigation and visualization. With it, users monitor and manage data in ElasticStack — a great option if you use Elasticsearch or the ELK stack for data management.

Advantages

  • It’s up to the users to figure out how to show the data and numbers
  • There are templates
  • Allows users to explore relationships in the data
  • No additional coding is required in the process
  • Powerful anomaly detection features to identify problems in a timely manner
  • Ability to share data, including export to PDF and CSV
  • Simple and efficient user interface

Disadvantages

  • Export functions are limited
  • Since the program works with ElasticStack, its limitations apply to Kibana as well

Low-code tools

We decided to finish the article with products not from the world of analytics, but the more interesting will be the end of the article about BI-tools. Let’s talk about Appsmith and Budibase.

Appsmith

in Java

What does Google say?

Appsmith is a low-code, open source platform for creating administrative dashboards, widgets, CRUD applications, and accelerating workflows. It is a powerful tool that can be used by anyone, regardless of technical skill level.
Since the platform has the ability to build a dashboard — we can consider it as a worthy alternative to full-fledged BI analysis tools.
Appsmith is an Open Source product that is positioned as the only product for automating almost all processes in a company.

As we have already said, it is suitable for creating internal company products such as dashboards, administrative panels, database applications and a mixture of these options. That is, your application can have an admin panel and a dashboard at the same time. You can say that Appsmith is Webflow in the world of BI tools.

Advantages

  • Page Builder
  • Large selection of ready-made elements from inputs and textarea to datepicker, select and cards
  • Really large selection of charts for visualization based on FusionCharts library
  • Availability of ready-made page templates
  • Ability to connect different data sources
  • It is possible to connect API-interfaces, Google tables and custom REST APIs
  • Customization of functionality using JavaScript
  • A lot of tutorials, including on YouTube
  • Ability to write your own authorization
  • Flexible management of roles like in Google docs and rights for specific operations with data. It is possible to give access using a public link

Disadvantages

  • You need an experienced DevOps specialist to deploy the application, even in the case of docker deployment
  • You need time to learn the product, programming skills are welcome
  • Let’s be honest, it’s low-code, which means it has its limitations
  • No tabs, you will have to mess with Menu widget or make different dashboards

Budibase

in Java

Budibase is a low-code platform for developers and managers, it helps to build robust applications. It’s also a dashboard builder for servers. Features include connectivity to data sources, forms and tables, making it easy to work in teams.It’s basically an Appsmith competitor, but with fewer charts. +1 Webflow in the world of BI tools.

Ideal for fast-paced, dynamic enterprise environments that require fresh solutions. It allows you to connect to or import data from an external database (MongoDB, CouchDB PostgreSQL, MySQL, Airtable, Google Sheets, S3, DynamoDB, or REST API)

Advantages

  • Open source code
  • Strict access control
  • Page builder (more ready elements than in Appsmith)
  • Ability to connect various data sources, including via REST API
  • Ability to extend and customize functionality using JavaScript
  • Ability to open the application in the public domain using a public link

Disadvantages

  • You need an experienced DevOps specialist to deploy the application, even in the case of docker deployment
  • You need time to learn the product, programming skills are welcome
  • Weak documentation. Few tutorials. As they say, the community can help
  • Limited choice of charts

Conclusion

Different tools are suitable for different tasks, and they don’t necessarily have to be paid. Our team analyzed a lot of solutions for dashboard creation and chose the best 9 that will help to cover most of the developers’ needs. If you need to develop a dashboard or implement any other tool in your company — you can contact us.

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