top of page

SuperMetrics vs. Community Connectors in Looker Studio: A Comparison

Looker Studio (formerly Google Data Studio) is a powerful tool for visualizing business data, but the experience greatly depends on the connectors used to pull data from external sources. Two popular options are SuperMetrics and Community Connectors. In this article, we’ll compare them based on connectors, pricing, ease of use, and stability to help you decide which is best for your needs.



1. Connectors: Variety & Coverage


SuperMetrics


Wide range of supported platforms – Over 100+ data sources, including Google Ads, Facebook Ads, LinkedIn, HubSpot, and Amazon.

✅ Pre-built connectors for many advertising, SEO, and social media platforms.

✅ Seamless integration with Google Sheets, BigQuery, and Excel for additional flexibility.


Community Connectors


✅ Built by third-party developers and often free.

✅ Cover niche platforms that SuperMetrics may not support.

✅ Available via Google’s official Community Connector gallery.

Quality varies – Some connectors may not be actively maintained or optimized.

Winner: SuperMetrics – More reliable and covers a broader range of integrations.


2. Pricing: Cost Considerations


SuperMetrics


💰 Paid subscription – Pricing starts at $39/month for a single connector and scales up based on data sources and users.

💰 Enterprise plans available for agencies and large teams and can easily grow to tens of thousands.


Community Connectors


💰 Mostly free, but some premium connectors charge fees.

💰 Cost-effective for basic needs but may lack advanced features.

Winner: Community Connectors – Ideal for those on a budget, but with some trade-offs in quality and support.


3. Ease of Use: Setup & User Experience


SuperMetrics

Easy setup with step-by-step authentication.

✅ Intuitive UI for configuring data sources and metrics.

✅ Reliable customer support and documentation.


Community Connectors

✅ Quick integration with Looker Studio but setup varies by provider.

❌ Some connectors require custom API keys or additional setup.

❌ Limited support – depends on the developer maintaining the connector.

Winner: SuperMetrics – Provides a seamless experience with structured onboarding.


4. Stability & Data Accuracy


SuperMetrics


✅ Regular updates and strong data reliability.

✅ Automatically refreshes data without frequent manual interventions.

✅ Premium support ensures quick resolution of issues.


Community Connectors


Varies by provider – Some connectors work well, while others break frequently.

❌ Limited support if a connector stops working.

✅ Good for basic or one-time reports, but may not be ideal for mission-critical dashboards.

Winner: SuperMetrics – More stable for professional use cases.



Final Verdict: Which One Should You Use?

Feature

SuperMetrics

Community Connectors

Connectors

✅ Extensive (100+ sources)

⚠️ Varies by developer

Pricing

❌ Paid plans start at $39/month

✅ Mostly free

Ease of Use

✅ Simple setup, great UI

⚠️ Setup complexity varies

Stability

✅ Reliable & regularly updated

❌ Can be unstable


Who Should Choose SuperMetrics?


Marketing agencies, enterprises, and data-heavy users needing multiple integrations.

✔ Businesses that require reliable, automated data updates.

✔ Users willing to pay for stability, ease of use, and premium support.


Who Should Choose Community Connectors?


✔ Small businesses or freelancers who need basic reporting at minimal cost.

✔ Users who are comfortable troubleshooting or maintaining third-party connectors.

✔ Anyone working with niche platforms not covered by SuperMetrics.


Conclusion


Both SuperMetrics and Community Connectors have their strengths and weaknesses. If cost is a priority, Community Connectors are a great starting point, but for long-term reliability and ease of use, SuperMetrics is the superior option. Carefully consider your reporting needs and budget before making a decision!


Need help choosing the right connector for your business? Let us know.


 

Based in Burbank, California since 2015, Vimware is dedicated to supporting small to midsize businesses and agencies with their behind-the-scenes IT needs. As a Managed Service Provider (MSP), we offer a range of services including cloud solutions, custom programming, mobile app development, marketing dashboards, and strategic IT consulting. Our goal is to ensure your technology infrastructure operates smoothly and efficiently, allowing you to focus on growing your business. Contact us to learn how we can assist in optimizing your IT operations.


 
 
bottom of page