> Source: https://meetrix.io/store/metabase/
> Markdown copy of that page. Cite the URL above, not this file.

[Store](https://meetrix.io/store/)  Metabase

Open-source business intelligence

# Self-hosted Metabase BI server on AWS and Google Cloud

Run Metabase, the open-source BI tool your whole team can use without writing SQL, from a pre-configured image in your own cloud account. Dashboards and query results stay on your infrastructure, with no per-seat subscription.

 [Launch on AWS](https://aws.amazon.com/marketplace/pp/prodview-kqkli5hdb75ce)[ Launch on Google Cloud](https://console.cloud.google.com/marketplace/product/meetrix-public/metabase-bi-analytics-server)

-   Ready in 5-10 minutes
-   Runs in your own account
-   No per-seat fees

![Metabase BI analytics server deployed on AWS by Meetrix](https://meetrix.io/assets/store/metabase/metabase.webp)

## What is Metabase?

Metabase is an open-source business intelligence platform for exploring data, building dashboards and sharing reports. Its visual query builder lets non-technical people ask questions of the data, while analysts can still write SQL. It queries your databases directly instead of copying the data into itself.

-   ### Visual query builder

    Ask questions and filter data with point-and-click, no SQL needed.

-   ### Dashboards

    Combine charts into shared dashboards the whole team can use.

-   ### SQL editor

    Analysts can write native queries when the builder is not enough.

-   ### 20+ data sources

    PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQL Server, BigQuery, Redshift, Snowflake, MongoDB and more.

-   ### X-rays

    Automatic explorations that give you a first look at a new table.

-   ### Open source

    The open-source edition has no per-user fees.

## What's in the Meetrix Metabase image

Self-hosting Metabase means setting up the application, a database backend for its own settings, and SSL. The marketplace image does that for you.

-   The open-source Metabase build, running in Docker
-   A database backend for Metabase's own data
-   A Let's Encrypt certificate for your domain
-   Daily PostgreSQL backups to your S3 bucket on AWS
-   A deployment template for your own AWS account or GCP project
-   Email support from Meetrix at support@meetrix.io

## How to set up a self-hosted Metabase server

1.  ### Launch the server

    Subscribe on AWS Marketplace or Google Cloud Marketplace, pick a region and machine size, and deploy. The stack is ready in about 5-10 minutes.

2.  ### Point your domain at it

    Create a DNS A record for your Metabase subdomain with the server's public IP, so SSL can be issued for it.

3.  ### Run the setup wizard

    Open your domain in a browser. Metabase walks you through creating the admin account on the first visit.

4.  ### Connect your data

    Add your databases or warehouse from the admin panel, then start asking questions and building dashboards.

## Choose your cloud

### Metabase on AWS

An AMI on AWS Marketplace, launched into your own AWS account with a CloudFormation stack.

Deploys with

CloudFormation

Recommended size

t3.medium

Backups

PostgreSQL backups to S3

#### Setup guides

-   [**Developer guide** Launch, DNS, SSL, troubleshoot](https://meetrix.io/blogs/metabase-dev-guide/)
-   [**Install Metabase on AWS** Features, setup and use cases](https://meetrix.io/blogs/how-to-setup-metabase-aws/)
-   [**Video walkthrough** Watch the deployment on YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFdBD5xu2ls)

 [Launch on AWS](https://aws.amazon.com/marketplace/pp/prodview-kqkli5hdb75ce)

### Metabase on Google Cloud

The same BI server as a Google Cloud Marketplace image, deployed into your own GCP project.

Deploys with

Terraform or gcloud CLI

Recommended size

e2-medium, 20 GB disk

Free trial

5 days, up to USD 50 licence credit

#### Setup guides

-   [**Developer guide** Configure, DNS, setup wizard, logs](https://meetrix.io/blogs/metabase-gcp-developer-guide/)
-   [**Metabase on Google Cloud Marketplace** Who it suits and how it compares](https://meetrix.io/blogs/metabase-bi-tool-gcp/)

 [Launch on Google Cloud](https://console.cloud.google.com/marketplace/product/meetrix-public/metabase-bi-analytics-server)

## Metabase server ports and requirements

Allow these ports in your AWS security group or GCP firewall.

| Service | Ports | Protocol |
| --- | --- | --- |
| HTTP | 80 | TCP |
| HTTPS | 443 | TCP |
| SSH (administration) | 22 | TCP |

Server size: t3.medium on AWS or e2-medium (4 GB RAM) on Google Cloud for a small team. Choose a larger machine for heavy queries or many concurrent dashboard users.

## Metabase by Meetrix vs Metabase Cloud vs Tableau

|  | Metabase by Meetrix | Metabase Cloud | Tableau |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Hosting | Your AWS account or GCP project | Metabase's cloud | Your server or Tableau Cloud |
| Data control | Queries and results stay in your account | Queries run on Metabase's servers | Tableau processes or stores snapshots |
| Pricing model | Cloud compute, no per-user fee | Per-user subscription | Per-user licence |
| Data residency | Any region you choose | Metabase data processing applies | Tableau data processing applies |

Choosing between open-source BI tools? [Read Metabase vs Redash vs Superset →](https://meetrix.io/blogs/metabase-vs-redash-vs-superset/)

## Video: deploy Metabase on AWS

## Metabase FAQ

What is Metabase?

Metabase is an open-source business intelligence platform that lets teams explore data, build dashboards and share reports without writing SQL. It connects directly to your existing databases and warehouses.

Which databases can Metabase connect to?

More than 20 out of the box, including PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB, SQL Server, BigQuery, Redshift, Snowflake, Athena and MongoDB. Add them from the admin panel after deployment.

Is Metabase free?

The open-source edition of Metabase is free, with no per-user fees. On AWS or Google Cloud you pay for the server, plus any Meetrix software fee shown on the marketplace listing.

How is this different from Metabase Cloud?

Metabase Cloud runs on Metabase's infrastructure and charges per user. This deployment runs entirely in your own AWS account or GCP project, so queries, dashboards and activity logs stay with you.

Does it support SSO and LDAP?

SAML SSO is a feature of Metabase's paid Pro and Enterprise editions. The Meetrix image runs the open-source edition; Meetrix can help if you move to a paid edition.

Which machine size should I choose?

t3.medium on AWS, or e2-medium (2 vCPU, 4 GB RAM) with a 20 GB disk on Google Cloud. Scale up for heavier queries or more concurrent users.

How do I check that Metabase is running?

SSH into the server and run sudo docker ps to list the running containers, then sudo docker logs with the container ID to read its logs.

How do I upgrade?

When a new version is published on the marketplace, back up your server data, remove the old deployment and launch the new version.

## Metabase guides and articles

### [Metabase vs Redash vs Superset: Self-Hosted BI Head-to-Head](https://meetrix.io/blogs/metabase-vs-redash-vs-superset/)

Query builders, SSO, licensing and maintenance status, compared honestly.

### [Metabase AMI by Meetrix: BI Deployment on AWS](https://meetrix.io/blogs/metabase-ami-meetrix-aws/)

A clean Metabase stack on AWS, and how it compares to other Marketplace offerings.

### [Metabase on GCP: a Self-Hosted BI Server in Minutes](https://meetrix.io/blogs/metabase-bi-tool-gcp/)

Full BI analytics on Google Cloud without the per-seat invoice.

## Need a hand with your Metabase server?

We build and run self-hosted data platforms for teams every day, from database connections to SSO. Tell us what you need.

[Contact us](https://meetrix.io/contact-us/)