Installing Metabase

Learn how to install Metabase using Docker, JAR file, or cloud deployment options.

Metabase is built and packaged as a Java JAR file and can be run anywhere that Java is available. Choose the installation method that best fits your needs.

Metabase Cloud

The easiest way to run Metabase is with Metabase Cloud. All you need to do is sign up for a free trial, and you’re ready to start analyzing your data.

Metabase Cloud handles all infrastructure, upgrades, and maintenance automatically, so you can focus on your data.

Self-hosting Metabase

If you need to self-host Metabase, you have several options depending on your infrastructure and requirements.

Choosing an installation method

Docker (Recommended)

Docker is the recommended way to self-host Metabase. It provides:

• Easy deployment and updates
• Consistent environment across systems
• Simple configuration via environment variables
• Built-in process management

Learn how to run Metabase on Docker

JAR file

Running the JAR file directly gives you more control but requires manual setup:

• Java Runtime Environment (JRE) required
• Manual process management
• Good for testing and development
• More challenging to manage in production

Learn how to run the Metabase JAR

Cloud platforms

Metabase can be deployed to various cloud platforms:

• Azure Web Apps
• AWS Elastic Beanstalk
• Kubernetes (community-supported)
• Podman

Check our platform-specific guides for details.

Installation steps overview

1. Choose your deployment method

   Decide between Docker, JAR, or a cloud platform based on your infrastructure and requirements.

2. Set up your application database

   For production deployments, configure a production-ready database (PostgreSQL or MySQL) to store Metabase’s application data.

   Configure your application database

3. Configure environment variables

   Set up required environment variables for database connections, server settings, and other configurations.

   View all environment variables

4. Launch Metabase

   Start your Metabase instance using your chosen deployment method.

5. Complete setup

   Visit your Metabase URL and complete the initial setup wizard to create your admin account and connect your data sources.

System requirements

Java requirements

If running the JAR file directly:

• Java 21 is required (Java 21 JRE from Eclipse Temurin with HotSpot JVM recommended)
• Earlier Java versions are not supported
• Works on x86 and ARM architectures

Database requirements

For production deployments, use one of these databases to store Metabase’s application data:

• PostgreSQL (recommended) - version 12.0 or higher
• MySQL - version 8.0.17 or higher
• MariaDB - version 10.2.2 or higher

Do not use the default H2 database in production. H2 is file-based and only suitable for local testing and demos.

Air-gapped environments

If you need to run Metabase in an air-gapped environment without internet access, check out the air-gapped edition of Metabase.

Getting help

Professional services

Get expert help with setup, training, data modeling, and embedding

Metabase experts

Connect with certified Metabase partners for technical resources and consulting

What’s not supported

• AWS Marketplace or Azure Marketplace distributions
• Officially supported Helm charts (community charts are available)
• ApsaraDB MySQL (use ApsaraDB PostgreSQL instead)

Next steps

Run with Docker

Get started with the recommended Docker deployment

Run JAR file

Install and run Metabase as a standalone JAR

Configure database

Set up a production-ready application database

Upgrade Metabase

Learn how to upgrade to newer versions