NBi
What it is
NBi is a free, open-source framework for testing Business Intelligence solutions and checking data quality. It covers databases, cubes, ETLs, and reports, including SQL Server, SSIS, SSAS, and SSRS components in the Microsoft BI stack. Test definitions use declarative XML rather than requiring C# or another development language to specify checks. As an NUnit add-on, NBi reads XML test files and runs them through that framework. Database connections can use OleDb or ODBC, with extensions opening access to additional databases. The GenBI interface and genbiL macro language can automate test-suite creation, including suites with thousands of tests. Documentation covers building and running suites with Azure DevOps and AppVeyor. NBi is for Windows and runs on infrastructure managed by the user. Setup requires .NET Framework 4.5 or higher and NUnit 2.x; the setup guide says not to use NUnit 3.x. Releases from version 1.6 onward use the Apache 2.0 license, while earlier releases used MS-PL. The maker says no commercial license is available.
For and against
For
- Free and open source under Apache 2.0 for version 1.6 onward
- XML test definitions do not require C#
- Targets databases, cubes, ETLs, and reports
- GenBI tools can automate large test suites
- Documentation covers Azure DevOps and AppVeyor
Against
- Windows platform only
- Requires .NET Framework 4.5 or higher and NUnit 2.x
- Setup guide cautions against NUnit 3.x
- No commercial license is available
The verdict
NBi provides declarative test authoring and NUnit execution for BI and data-quality work on Windows. Its specific prerequisites and lack of a commercial license may shape whether it fits a team's environment.
Who it suits
NBi suits Windows-based teams that need to define and run BI or data-quality checks through NUnit. It is aimed at users comfortable managing the required .NET Framework and NUnit setup.
Plans and prices
NBi
Open-source framework · no commercial licence available
Read 8 Oct 2026 · nbi.io
On the record
- CI/CD
- The automation documentation includes instructions for building and running test suites with Azure DevOps and AppVeyor.nbi.io · read 8 Oct 2026
- Commercial availability
- The maker states that there is no commercial licence available.nbi.io · read 8 Oct 2026
- Coverage
- NBi targets databases, cubes, ETLs and reports, and supports SQL Server, SSIS, SSAS and SSRS components in the Microsoft BI stack.nbi.io · read 8 Oct 2026
- Database connections
- NBi supports data sources through OleDb or ODBC connections, with additional databases reachable through extensions.nbi.io · read 8 Oct 2026
- Issue reporting
- The maker directs users to report bugs through its GitHub issue tracker.nbi.io · read 8 Oct 2026
- License
- Since version 1.6, NBi releases use the Apache 2.0 license; earlier releases used MS-PL.nbi.io · read 8 Oct 2026
- Maintainer
- The website credits Cédric L. Charlier and states that its contents are © 2025.nbi.io · read 8 Oct 2026
- Prerequisites
- The setup guide lists .NET Framework 4.5 or higher and NUnit 2.x as prerequisites, and specifies not to use NUnit 3.x.nbi.io · read 8 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- NBi is an open-source framework for testing Business Intelligence solutions and validating data quality.nbi.io · read 8 Oct 2026
- Test authoring
- Tests are written declaratively in XML, without requiring C# or another development language to specify them.nbi.io · read 8 Oct 2026
- Test framework integration
- NBi is an add-on for NUnit and interprets XML test files to run tests.nbi.io · read 8 Oct 2026
- Test generation
- The GenBI user interface and genbiL macro language can automate creation of test suites, including suites with thousands of tests.nbi.io · read 8 Oct 2026
