Ibis
What it is
Ibis is a free, open-source Python dataframe library that provides a consistent API across query engines. The project lists support for more than 20 backends, allowing users to write dataframe operations across different engines. For local dataframes, Ibis uses DuckDB by default and also names Polars and DataFusion. Users can move from local iteration to remote deployment by changing one line of code, and can compose SQL with Python dataframe code. Ibis and a supported backend can be installed with pip, conda, mamba, or pixi. The project supports and tests Google BigQuery, Snowflake, Databricks Cloud, and Amazon Athena, though support for these services may shift to best effort if funding ends. Coverage of the full API differs by backend because SQL dialects and upstream operation support vary. Ibis is aimed at practitioners, data platforms, organizations, and library developers, with uses including analytics, data engineering, machine learning, exploratory analysis, and library development. For assistance, the project points to GitHub and Zulip; Voltron Data offers commercial support. The project describes its API as stable, while major versions may include breaking changes.
For and against
For
- Offers one API across more than 20 backends.
- Uses DuckDB by default for local dataframes.
- Combines SQL and Python dataframe code.
- Free and open source.
Against
- API coverage varies among backends.
- Some cloud backend support may become best effort.
- Major versions can include breaking changes.
The verdict
Ibis offers a portable way to work with dataframe operations across a broad set of query engines. Check the operation coverage for the backend you plan to use, since support varies.
Who it suits
Ibis suits Python practitioners, data platform teams, organizations, and library developers who want to work with dataframe operations across query engines. It also fits users who want to start locally and deploy remotely.
Plans and prices
Open source
Open source Python dataframe library; supported backends vary in operation coverage
Read 9 Oct 2026 · ibis-project.org
On the record
- Backends
- Ibis says its API supports more than 20 backends.ibis-project.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Backend switching
- The project says users can iterate locally and deploy remotely by changing a single line of code.ibis-project.org · read 9 Oct 2026
- Cloud backend support
- Ibis says it supports and tests BigQuery, Snowflake, Databricks Cloud and Amazon Athena, and those backends may move to best-effort support if funding dries up.ibis-project.org · read 9 Oct 2026
- Cloud support
- Ibis says it supports and tests Google BigQuery, Snowflake, Databricks Cloud, and Amazon Athena, with support potentially moving to best effort if funding ends.ibis-project.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Help
- The project recommends GitHub and Zulip for help, and says Voltron Data offers commercial support.ibis-project.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Installation
- Ibis and supported backends can be installed with pip, conda, mamba or pixi.ibis-project.org · read 9 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The documented Python data integrations include pandas and Polars, with visualization tools such as matplotlib, seaborn, Plotly, Vega-Altair and plotnine.ibis-project.org · read 9 Oct 2026
- Local execution
- Ibis uses DuckDB by default and also supports local execution with Polars or DataFusion.ibis-project.org · read 9 Oct 2026
- Notable limitation
- Support for the full Ibis API varies by backend because SQL dialects and upstream operation support differ.ibis-project.org · read 9 Oct 2026
- Package conflict
- The installation page warns that the PyPI package named ibis is distinct from ibis-framework, and that the two cannot coexist in one Python environment because both use the ibis module name.ibis-project.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Product
- Ibis is a portable Python dataframe library that provides one API for more than 20 data backends.ibis-project.org · read 9 Oct 2026
- Production use
- Ibis says its API is stable, while breaking changes can occur across major versions and the team aims to make migration easy.ibis-project.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Project governance
- Ibis is an open-source project that welcomes contributions; Voltron Data is its primary sponsor and employs most of the core development team.ibis-project.org · read 9 Oct 2026
- Project support
- Voltron Data is Ibis's primary sponsor, and the project page says most of the core development team is employed there.ibis-project.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Security
- The reviewed official pages do not state security certifications or compliance claims.ibis-project.org · read 9 Oct 2026
- Security and compliance
- The opened official pages do not state security certifications or compliance claims.ibis-project.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- SQL and Python
- Ibis compiles its dataframe API into the backend’s native language and lets users mix SQL strings with Python dataframe code.ibis-project.org · read 9 Oct 2026
- Support
- For help, the project points users to GitHub and Zulip, and says Voltron Data offers commercial support for Ibis.ibis-project.org · read 9 Oct 2026
