Discover/dbt (data build tool)

dbt (data build tool)

Transform your data in your warehouse

Open SourceFree tier
Rating
4.2 ★★★★★
21 reviews
Views
665
total views
Saved
63
users saved
Pricing
Core open-source free; dbt Cloud from $100/mo
Free tier available
Platform
Python · Web · Cloud
API available

Overview

dbt (data build tool) — Transform your data in your warehouse

dbt (data build tool) enables analytics engineers to transform data in their warehouse using SQL. With dbt, data teams can write modular SQL queries, test data quality, document data models, and maintain version-controlled data pipelines. The de facto standard for data transformation in the modern data stack.

SQL data transformation

Data testing

Documentation generation

Version control

Features & capabilities

Everything it does, in plain English.

FeatureSQL data transformationIncluded
FeatureData testingIncluded
FeatureDocumentation generationIncluded
FeatureVersion controlIncluded
FeatureModel dependenciesIncluded
API AccessProgrammatic access available for developers.Available
PlatformsPython · Web · Cloud

The honest take

Where it shines, where it stumbles.

✓ Pros

  • Industry standard for data transformation
  • Open-source
  • Great documentation

! Watch-outs

  • !SQL knowledge required
  • !Learning curve for complex DAGs

Who it's for

Where dbt (data build tool) pays for itself fast.

— Use case
Data warehouse transformation
— Use case
Analytics engineering
— Use case
ETL/ELT pipelines
— Use case
Data modeling

Community reviews

Share your take on dbt (data build tool)

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4.2
21 reviews
5★
6
4★
6
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3
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1★
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S
Sean T.
Content Strategist · Meta
1 months ago
Best in class, no question
Can't imagine working without it now. The interface is intuitive enough that I didn't need to read any docs. Keep up the great work, team.
A
Alicia K. ✓ Verified
CEO · Salesforce
2 months ago
Really good — a few things to improve
Mostly great, minor complaints. It integrates well with VS Code / Slack / Notion — my daily drivers. A few missing integrations I'd like to see added.
R
Ryan H. ✓ Verified
Researcher · Microsoft
3 months ago
Outstanding experience
Best-in-class, period. The ROI was clear within the first week of using it. Highly recommend.
W
Wei K.
AI Researcher
5 months ago
Strong product overall
Strong product with room to grow. Customer support responded within hours and solved my issue. Some features feel half-baked — hopefully they'll improve. Highly recommend.
N
Nicole Z. ✓ Verified
Solutions Architect · GitHub
6 months ago
Really good — a few things to improve
Works really well for my use case. The onboarding flow was smooth and I was productive from day one. Best tool in this category, hands down.
L
Liang A. ✓ Verified
Researcher · GitLab
9 months ago
Great tool, minor quibbles
Good value for the price. Customer support responded within hours and solved my issue.
A
Alex J. ✓ Verified
Data Scientist · Airbnb
10 months ago
Incredible — highly recommend
Seriously impressive. The interface is intuitive enough that I didn't need to read any docs. The free tier is genuinely generous compared to competitors.
A
Amanda P. ✓ Verified
VP of Engineering · freelance
10 months ago
Solid product, recommended
Works really well for my use case. The ROI was clear within the first week of using it. The free tier is genuinely generous compared to competitors. A few missing integrations I'd like to see added. A staple in my tech stack now.
M
Michael H. ✓ Verified
Design Lead · freelance
11 months ago
Okay product, not amazing
Does the job, nothing more. The free tier is genuinely generous compared to competitors. The onboarding flow was smooth and I was productive from day one.
H
Hannah K. ✓ Verified
Consultant · freelance
1 years ago
Has potential, needs polish
Mixed feelings, but ultimately positive. The AI suggestions are incredibly accurate and save me hours every week. The UI takes some getting used to.
Z
Zara J. ✓ Verified
Professor
1 years ago
Okay product, not amazing
Has potential, but needs polish. The API is well-documented and easy to work with. The collaboration features are genuinely well thought-out.
S
Sofia K. ✓ Verified
Full Stack Developer · my own agency
1 years ago
Incredible — highly recommend
This is exactly what I was looking for. The AI doesn't just suggest — it learns from my preferences over time. The free tier is genuinely generous compared to competitors. Will continue using this long-term.
B
Ben R. ✓ Verified
Professor · Series A startup
1 years ago
Useful and reliable
Works really well for my use case. It handles edge cases better than anything else I've tried. I use this daily and it's become essential to how I work. Reduced the time I spend on this task by about 70%. Customer support response times could be faster. A staple in my tech stack now.
S
Sarah B. ✓ Verified
Software Engineer · a marketing agency
1 years ago
Incredible — highly recommend
Absolutely love this tool. Customer support responded within hours and solved my issue. The interface is intuitive enough that I didn't need to read any docs. Pricing is fair for the value you get. A staple in my tech stack now.
H
Heather W. ✓ Verified
Full Stack Developer · early-stage startup
1 years ago
Changed how I work completely
Can't imagine working without it now. It handles edge cases better than anything else I've tried. It handles edge cases better than anything else I've tried. Would recommend to anyone in my industry.

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