# Best Data Catalogs for Governance (2026)
Best Data Catalogs for Governance (2026)
Data sprawl demands lineage, ownership, and trust. Here’s how Collibra, Alation, and Atlan compare for data catalogs in 2026.
Quick Picks
- Best enterprise governance depth: Collibra
- Best search-first experience: Alation
- Best modern, active metadata: Atlan
Pricing Snapshot (2026)
| Platform | Model | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Collibra | Enterprise | Deep governance workflows |
| Alation | Enterprise | Strong search and stewardship |
| Atlan | Enterprise/SaaS | Active metadata, modern UX |
What to Look For
- Automated lineage and impact analysis.
- Stewardship workflows, approvals, and ownership.
- Glossary and policy management tied to assets.
- Connectors to warehouses, BI, and orchestration.
- AI search and recommendations with access controls.
Platform Notes
Collibra
- Mature governance workflows and policies.
- Great for regulated industries; strong lineage integrations.
- Implementation requires champions and clear ownership.
Alation
- Search-first catalog; good stewardship and trust flags.
- Query log ingestion for popularity and suggestions.
- Strong adoption when paired with BI tools.
Atlan
- Modern UI; active metadata for alerts and automation.
- Great collaboration and Slack/Teams integrations.
- Fast to deploy; growing connector list.
Setup Checklist (60 Minutes)
- Connect warehouse and BI tools; pull lineage.
- Define glossary and ownership model (domain teams).
- Set policies and certifications; enable usage analytics.
- Train teams on search, requests, and change workflows.
Final Recommendation
Choose Collibra for deep governance, Alation for discovery-driven teams, and Atlan for a modern, active metadata layer. Pair with strong ownership so the catalog stays trusted.
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