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OpenMetadata vs ThingsBoard

A side-by-side editorial comparison of OpenMetadata and ThingsBoard — release velocity, themes, recent moves, and the top alternatives to consider.

OpenMetadata vs ThingsBoard: at a glance

FeatureOpenMetadataThingsBoard
SectorAnalyticsAnalytics
Velocity score6.35.0
Sparks · 30d00
Top themesdata-catalog, data-quality, metadata, observabilityiot platform, security, release maintenance, lts
Last editorial update1mo ago1h ago
WebsiteVisit →Visit →

What is OpenMetadata?

OpenMetadata 2.0.0 ships Dynamic Sampling by default and a full Data Quality overhaul.

OpenMetadata has shipped its 2.0.0 GA alongside continued 1.13.x maintenance. The headline change in 2.0.0 is defaulting to Dynamic Sampling in the Profiler — 100% table scans are out, which meaningfully reduces compute cost on large tables. Cardinality metrics are no longer collected by default. MCP is now a first-class service entity with OAuth, SAML SSO, and usage analytics. The 1.13.x branch remains active for teams not yet migrating.

Read the full OpenMetadata trajectory →

What is ThingsBoard?

ThingsBoard closes a script-sandbox file write and dozens of CVEs on its 4.3 and 4.2 lines.

ThingsBoard keeps three lines patched in parallel: 4.4, 4.3.1 and the 4.2 LTS. On October 27, 4.3.1.8 and 4.2.2.8 shipped a large security batch, including a fix for arbitrary file writes from the TBEL script sandbox and tamper protection for the OAuth2 authorization cookie. On October 30, 4.4.0.2 followed with security patches, though its notes list no details.

Read the full ThingsBoard trajectory →

OpenMetadata vs ThingsBoard: editorial side-by-side

O
OpenMetadata
ANALYTICS
6.3

OpenMetadata 2.0.0 ships Dynamic Sampling by default and a full Data Quality overhaul.

◆ Current state

OpenMetadata has shipped its 2.0.0 GA alongside continued 1.13.x maintenance. The headline change in 2.0.0 is defaulting to Dynamic Sampling in the Profiler — 100% table scans are out, which meaningfully reduces compute cost on large tables. Cardinality metrics are no longer collected by default. MCP is now a first-class service entity with OAuth, SAML SSO, and usage analytics. The 1.13.x branch remains active for teams not yet migrating.

◆ Where it's heading

OpenMetadata 2.0.0 shifts the platform toward cost-aware data quality by default — this is a philosophical change, not just a feature: the assumption is no longer that you scan everything. MCP as a first-class service category signals intent to be the metadata and observability layer for AI pipelines, not just traditional BI/warehouse workflows.

◆ Prediction

Post-2.0.0 development will focus on the MCP service layer and AI pipeline observability. Expect deeper integration between the Profiler's Dynamic Sampling and cost estimation, and broader MCP adapter coverage. The 1.13.x branch will likely enter long-term-support status within one or two more maintenance releases.

T
ThingsBoard
ANALYTICS
5.0

ThingsBoard closes a script-sandbox file write and dozens of CVEs on its 4.3 and 4.2 lines.

◆ Current state

ThingsBoard keeps three lines patched in parallel: 4.4, 4.3.1 and the 4.2 LTS. On October 27, 4.3.1.8 and 4.2.2.8 shipped a large security batch, including a fix for arbitrary file writes from the TBEL script sandbox and tamper protection for the OAuth2 authorization cookie. On October 30, 4.4.0.2 followed with security patches, though its notes list no details.

◆ Where it's heading

After the 4.4 feature release the project is back to maintenance on all supported lines, mostly security and runtime fixes, with the IoT Hub catalogue getting steady UI work alongside. Feature work arrives in larger, infrequent releases.

◆ Prediction

Expect the next entries to be routine patches across all three lines. The notes do not say whether 4.4.0.2 carries the same fixes as the 4.3 batch.

Alternatives to OpenMetadata and ThingsBoard

Other Analytics products tracked by Sparkpulse, ranked by recent ship velocity. Each card links to a full editorial trajectory and lets you pivot into a head-to-head comparison with either OpenMetadata or ThingsBoard.

See all OpenMetadata alternatives → · See all ThingsBoard alternatives →

Recent activity from OpenMetadata and ThingsBoard

Latest ship moves from both products, interleaved chronologically. ⚡ = editorial spark.

  1. 10h agoThingsBoardThingsBoard 4.4.0.2: security patches, no details listed
  2. 3d agoThingsBoardThingsBoard 4.3.1.8 fixes TBEL sandbox file write and CVE batch
  3. 3d agoThingsBoardThingsBoard 4.2.2.8: LTS security backport
  4. 8d agoThingsBoardThingsBoard 4.4.0.1: 2026 time zone data update
  5. 8d agoThingsBoardThingsBoard 4.3.1.7: 2026 time zone data update
  6. 8d agoThingsBoardThingsBoard 4.2.2.7: 2026 time zone data update
  7. 1mo agoOpenMetadataOpenMetadata 1.13.5: Connector and Security Maintenance
  8. 1mo agoOpenMetadataOpenMetadata 2.0.1: Post-GA Maintenance
  9. 2mo agoOpenMetadata2.0.0-release ⚡
  10. 2mo agoOpenMetadataOpenMetadata 1.13.4: Connector and Security Maintenance
  11. 2mo agoOpenMetadataOpenMetadata 2.0.0 RC2 (Dev/Test Only)
  12. 3mo agoOpenMetadataOpenMetadata 1.13.3: Governance and Connector Fixes

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between OpenMetadata and ThingsBoard?

They serve adjacent needs but don't currently overlap on shipped themes. OpenMetadata is currently shipping more aggressively (velocity 6.3 vs 5.0), with 0 editorial sparks in the last 30 days against 0. See the at-a-glance table above for a side-by-side breakdown of velocity, recent sparks, and editorial themes.

Is OpenMetadata better than ThingsBoard?

Sparkpulse doesn't pick a winner — we score release velocity, not feature parity. OpenMetadata is currently shipping more aggressively (velocity 6.3 vs 5.0), with 0 editorial sparks in the last 30 days against 0. For your specific use case, the alternatives sections above list other Analytics products to evaluate alongside.

What are the best alternatives to OpenMetadata?

Top OpenMetadata alternatives in Analytics are ranked by recent ship velocity. Browse the "OpenMetadata alternatives" section above for the current picks, or visit /alternatives/openmetadata for the full list with editorial commentary on each.

What are the best alternatives to ThingsBoard?

Top ThingsBoard alternatives in Analytics are ranked by recent ship velocity. Browse the "ThingsBoard alternatives" section above for the current picks, or visit /alternatives/thingsboard for the full list with editorial commentary on each.