Data catalogs & discovery · Atlan

Atlan

API-first, AI-assisted metadata catalog with automated lineage and Slack-style collaboration for data teams.

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Atlan positions itself as an "active metadata" catalog: it continuously harvests metadata from warehouses, BI tools and pipelines, then layers AI-generated documentation, automated column-level lineage and playbook-driven governance on top. Discovery is built around collaboration features such as request threads and Slack/Teams-style discussions attached directly to tables and dashboards, rather than a static wiki-like glossary. Atlan exposes an open API and SDK so catalog data and workflows can be embedded into other tools. It is offered as a multi-tenant SaaS product, with private and hybrid deployment options for enterprises that need the platform inside their own network. Atlan is generally chosen by data teams already invested in the modern cloud data stack who want a fast-moving, developer-friendly catalog.

At a glance

Vendor Atlan
Pricing model Quote only
Free tier No
Deployment Cloud, Self-hosted
Open source No
Best for Modern data teams wanting an API-first, collaborative catalog tied into the cloud data stack.

Pricing

Custom quote based on data sources and seats; no public price list.

Checked on the vendor's own page on September 21, 2026: no prices are published. Expect to be quoted.

Features

  • Automated column-level lineage
  • AI-generated documentation and search
  • Business glossary and classification tags
  • Workflow and playbook automation
  • Slack/Teams-style collaboration on data assets
  • Open REST API and SDK
  • Data quality integration
  • Personalized discovery and recommendations

Integrations

Profile last reviewed September 21, 2026

Head to head

Alternatives

Alation Enterprise data catalog with AI-assisted search, lineage and stewardship workflows for finding and trusting data. Collibra Data Intelligence Cloud combining catalog, business glossary, governance workflows and lineage for regulated enterprises. Select Star Automated data catalog that documents warehouse tables, dashboards and column-level lineage with minimal manual tagging.

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Terms to know

Data catalog A searchable inventory of an organization's data assets, with descriptions, ownership and usage attached. Data lineage A traceable record of where data came from, how it was transformed, and where it is used downstream. Data governance The policies, roles and processes that determine how data is defined, owned, accessed and kept compliant. Business glossary A controlled list of business terms and their agreed definitions, kept separate from the technical fields that implement them. Data quality The degree to which data is accurate, complete, consistent and fit for the purpose it is being used for.

Related guides

How to choose a data catalog Pick a data catalog by who has to document it, how lineage gets built, and whether your organization needs governed workflow or fast, automated discovery. How to establish data governance A minimum viable governance programme — ownership, a catalog, access rules and stewardship — before you need it for a compliance request.