Metabase alternative
When Metabase is more tool than what you use.
Plenty of teams install Metabase for two things: a few SQL questions and a report that arrives by email. For that, DataRunner gets straight to it: you write the query (or ask the AI), pick the time and the channel, and you are done. Native SQL questions are imported, variables included.
Bring your questions
Export through the Metabase API
As an admin, GET /api/card returns your saved questions as JSON. Save the file.
Import in Settings → Import
Pick Metabase, upload the JSON and check the preview. Native SQL questions come across. Ones built in the visual editor show up in the list of what did not, with the way out: open them in Metabase, convert to SQL and paste them here.
Variables become parameters
{{customer_id}} becomes :customer_id, bound as a parameter. The preview shows which Metabase database each question came from, so you point it at the right connection.
What you used, and where it is here
| In Metabase | In DataRunner |
|---|---|
| Native SQL questions with variables | Queries with text, number, date and list parameters, with options from another query |
| Dashboard subscriptions by email and Slack | A dashboard or query on the schedule and timezone of each delivery, by email, Slack, Telegram, WhatsApp or webhook |
| Question alerts | Reports that only go out when there are results, and database, URL and server monitors |
| Data reference and descriptions | A catalog with table and column descriptions, used by autocomplete and by the AI |
| Public sharing | Interactive public links, with a password and an expiry date |
| Group permissions | Roles and teams, and column masking by policy |
| A server and application database to maintain, when self-hosted | Nothing to host. Connections use TLS, and credentials are encrypted at rest with AES-GCM |
What we do not have yet
- There is no visual question builder. People who do not write SQL ask the AI, with their own provider key, and review before saving.
- Dashboards and collections are not imported, only SQL questions.
- No embedding of dashboards inside another application.
- DataRunner is a managed service. If everything has to run inside your network, self-hosted Metabase is still the option.
From SQL to the inbox, with nothing in between
Create a free account, connect the database and import the JSON. Questions arrive private, and you can schedule the first delivery in minutes.