Matillion vs dbt: Data Integration & ETL Software Compared (2026)
Matillion and dbt are two widely compared data integration tools. Matillion is a cloud data integration and transformation platform for Snowflake, Databricks and AWS, with visual pipelines and the Maia AI assistant. dbt is a data transformation tool that lets analytics engineers build, test and document models in SQL inside a warehouse, available as open-source dbt Core and the managed dbt platform.
- Verified 10 Nov 2026Sources are dated on this page
- 2 sourcesLinked, typed and dated
- No winner declaredFit depends on your criteria
- Not tested by Stack18Editorial summary of documented facts
Matillion vs dbt: the short answer
Matillion is a cloud data integration and transformation platform for Snowflake, Databricks and AWS, with visual pipelines and the Maia AI assistant. dbt is a data transformation tool that lets analytics engineers build, test and document models in SQL inside a warehouse, available as open-source dbt Core and the managed dbt platform. Both are data integration tools, but they differ in pricing model, target team size and focus.
On pricing, Matillion is described as: credit-based consumption; dbt as: per user per month with build limits. Both have a free option. Matillion lists a free option: 1 user. dbt lists a free option: Developer. Matillion is positioned for teams transforming data in Snowflake, Databricks or AWS, and dbt for analytics engineers transforming data in a warehouse.
Everything below is drawn from the two sourced profiles and the 2 dated sources listed at the end. Where a source does not document something it is marked Unknown, and third-party estimates are labelled. No winner is declared: the better fit depends on your size, budget and requirements.
Matillion and dbt at a glance.
One card per product, drawn from each full profile. Open a profile for features, pricing plans, limits and sources.
Matillion
Matillion · Data Integration & ETL Software
Matillion is a cloud data integration and transformation platform for Snowflake, Databricks and AWS, with visual pipelines and the Maia AI assistant.
- Pricing
- Developer free (1 user); Teams and Scale credit-based, sales-quoted; licences reported from ~$5,000 a month; warehouse compute extra.
- Best for
- Teams transforming data in Snowflake, Databricks or AWS
dbt
dbt Labs · Data Integration & ETL Software
dbt is a data transformation tool that lets analytics engineers build, test and document models in SQL inside a warehouse, available as open-source dbt Core and the managed dbt platform.
- Pricing
- Developer free (3,000 model builds a month); Starter $100 per user a month (up to 5 seats, 15,000 builds); Enterprise custom.
- Best for
- Analytics engineers transforming data in a warehouse
Matillion vs dbt: feature-by-feature comparison.
Every row is drawn from the sources listed below. Rows that differ are marked, and you can filter the table to show only those.
- YesDocumented
- PartialAvailable with limits or on some plans
- NoDocumented as unavailable
- UnknownNot documented in the sources reviewed
| Dimension |  Matillion |  dbt |
|---|---|---|
| Product | ||
| Product typeDiffers | YesCloud data transformation | YesData transformation |
| VendorDiffers | YesMatillion | Yesdbt Labs |
| Best forDiffers | YesTeams transforming data in Snowflake, Databricks or AWS | YesAnalytics engineers transforming data in a warehouse |
| Pricing | ||
| Pricing modelDiffers | YesCredit-based consumption. | YesPer user per month with build limits. |
| Pricing summaryDiffers | PartialDeveloper free (1 user); Teams and Scale credit-based, sales-quoted; licences reported from ~$5,000 a month; warehouse compute extra. | YesDeveloper free (3,000 model builds a month); Starter $100 per user a month (up to 5 seats, 15,000 builds); Enterprise custom. |
| Free planDiffers | YesYes (1 user) | YesYes (Developer) |
| Free trial | NoNot documented | NoNot documented |
| Data Integration & ETL Software criteria | ||
| Pricing modelDiffers | YesCredits | YesPer user |
| Starting priceDiffers | Partial~$5,000/mo (reported) | YesFree; $100/user/mo |
| Free tierDiffers | YesYes (1 user) | YesYes (Developer) |
| ApproachDiffers | YesETL + transform | YesTransformation |
| Best forDiffers | YesCloud warehouses | YesAnalytics engineering |
| Fit and platform | ||
| Team sizeDiffers | YesMid-size teams, Large enterprises | YesSmall teams, Mid-size teams, Large enterprises |
| Platforms | YesWeb | YesWeb |
| IntegrationsDiffers | YesSnowflake, Databricks, Amazon Redshift, BigQuery | YesSnowflake, BigQuery, Databricks, Redshift |
| API | UnknownNot reviewed for this profile. | UnknownNot reviewed for this profile. |
Matillion vs dbt pricing.
Plan names, prices and billing terms as reported in each profile's sources. Taxes, add-ons and discounts are excluded unless stated.
Matillion pricing
Credit-based consumption.
- Developer$0 · Free
- TeamsQuote (credits) · Annual
- ScaleQuote (credits) · Annual
Prices from independent sources; treat as reported. Dupple (June 2026); dltHub (competitor). Currency: USD. Checked 10 Nov 2026.
All Matillion plans and sources
dbt pricing
Per user per month with build limits.
- Developer$0 · Free
- Starter$100 per user per month · Monthly
- EnterpriseCustom · Annual
Prices from independent sources; treat as reported. Dupple (June 2026). Currency: USD. Checked 10 Nov 2026.
All dbt plans and sourcesMatillion vs dbt: pricing model, ecosystem and fit.
Pricing model and cost drivers
Matillion: credit-based consumption. Dupple (June 2026); dltHub (competitor). dbt: per user per month with build limits. Dupple (June 2026). Model costs at your real seat count, usage and contract term before comparing headline prices.
What sets each apart
The Matillion profile highlights: maia AI; credit pricing; compute extra. The dbt profile highlights: SQL-first; model build limits; merged with Fivetran.
Integrations and ecosystem
Matillion integrations named in its sources: Snowflake, Databricks, Amazon Redshift and BigQuery. dbt: Snowflake, BigQuery, Databricks and Redshift. Check that the connectors you rely on exist on the plan you would buy.
Deployment and team fit
Matillion runs on Web and is documented for mid-size teams and large enterprises. dbt runs on Web and is documented for small teams, mid-size teams and large enterprises. We did not test setup or migration.
Matillion and dbt: each option, in balance.
Each point is linked to a dated source on the product's profile.
Matillion
Strengths and limitations from the profile
- Maia AI builds pipelines.
- Strong Snowflake and Databricks focus.
- Free developer tier.
- Compute can multiply cost.
- High reported licence floor.
- Sales-quoted.
dbt
Strengths and limitations from the profile
- SQL transformation with tests and docs.
- Semantic layer.
- Free developer tier.
- Not an ETL tool.
- Needs SQL skills.
- Starter capped at 5 seats.
Matillion or dbt: which fits which situation?
No overall winner is declared. The better choice depends on the criteria that matter most to you, so test both against your own requirements.
Choose Matillion if you are…
- Teams transforming data in Snowflake, Databricks or AWS
- Enterprise data engineering
- Visual pipeline builders
Less suited to: small budgets; simple replication only.
See the Matillion profile
Choose dbt if you are…
- Analytics engineers transforming data in a warehouse
- Modern data stack teams
- Data teams adopting testing
Less suited to: teams needing ingestion; no-SQL teams.
See the dbt profileSwitching between Matillion and dbt.
Moving off Matillion or dbt means re-creating connectors and sync schedules, mapping schemas and history tables, re-running backfills, rebuilding transformations and alerts, and running old and new pipelines in parallel until row counts match. Plan for extra usage charges during backfills. Connect your three most important sources in each shortlisted tool, run a full backfill and a week of incremental syncs, and compare reliability, latency and the projected monthly bill.
- Export a sample of your data and test an import into the other product.
- List the automations, integrations and permissions you would need to rebuild.
- Compare total cost at your real volume, including add-ons and services.
- Pilot with one team before a full cut-over.
- Check contract terms and notice periods with both vendors.
General guidance, not specific to either vendor. Confirm migration options with the vendors.
Matillion vs dbt: questions and answers
What is the difference between Matillion and dbt?
Matillion is a cloud data integration and transformation platform for Snowflake, Databricks and AWS, with visual pipelines and the Maia AI assistant. dbt is a data transformation tool that lets analytics engineers build, test and document models in SQL inside a warehouse, available as open-source dbt Core and the managed dbt platform. Both are data integration tools, but they differ in pricing model, target team size and focus. Matillion is positioned for teams transforming data in Snowflake, Databricks or AWS; dbt for analytics engineers transforming data in a warehouse.
Is Matillion cheaper than dbt?
It depends on your volume and plan. Matillion: Developer free (1 user); Teams and Scale credit-based, sales-quoted; licences reported from ~$5,000 a month; warehouse compute extra. dbt: Developer free (3,000 model builds a month); Starter $100 per user a month (up to 5 seats, 15,000 builds); Enterprise custom. Compare both at your real seat count, usage and contract term.
Do Matillion or dbt have a free plan?
Both have a free option. Matillion lists a free option: 1 user. dbt lists a free option: Developer. Matillion free trial: Not documented. dbt free trial: Not documented.
Matillion or dbt: which is better for small teams?
dbt is documented for small teams. Matillion suits teams transforming data in Snowflake, Databricks or AWS; dbt suits analytics engineers transforming data in a warehouse. Neither is best for everyone.
What are the main limitations of Matillion and dbt?
Matillion: Compute can multiply cost. dbt: Not an ETL tool.
How much does Matillion cost?
Teams and Scale are credit-based and sales-quoted; a June 2026 guide reports licences from about $5,000 a month plus warehouse compute.
How much does dbt cost?
Developer is free; Starter is $100 per user a month for up to 5 seats, per a June 2026 guide.
What are the alternatives to Matillion and dbt?
Stack18 has alternatives guides for both: Matillion alternatives and dbt alternatives, each comparing at least four other data integration tools on pricing, free plan, features and fit. The Data Integration & ETL Software category lists every profile.
Where this comparison comes from.
- The Best ETL Tools in 2026 (prices as of June 2026) Dupple Third-party Accessed 11 Nov 2026
- 9 Fivetran Alternatives in 2026 dltHub (competitor blog) Competitor Accessed 11 Nov 2026
This comparison summarises the Matillion and dbt profiles and their sources. Third-party figures are labelled; confirm current pricing and terms with each vendor. Stack18 has not tested these products.
Ready to test Matillion and dbt?
Check each vendor's current pricing and terms, run both against a real scenario from your business, or talk to Stack18 if off-the-shelf software is not the answer.
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