Compare every major Looker Studio connector by data source, pricing model, setup difficulty and supported metrics. Covers native Google connectors and third-party tools including Supermetrics, Coupler, Windsor, and Funnel.
Connectors are the bridge between Looker Studio (formerly Google Data Studio) and your data sources. Without a connector, your dashboard has no data.
Looker Studio connectors pull data from external platforms — ad networks, analytics tools, databases, CRMs, ecommerce platforms — and make it available inside your Looker Studio reports and dashboards.
There are two main categories: native connectors built and maintained by Google (always free), and partner/third-party connectors built by external companies (some free, most paid). The Google Connector Gallery at datastudio.google.com/data lists over 800 available connectors as of 2026.
Choosing the wrong connector leads to data delays, missing metrics, broken dashboards, and recurring costs that scale poorly. This comparison tool helps you find the right one before committing.
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Connectors fall into three categories based on who builds them and how they're priced.
Built by Google. Connect directly to Google-owned platforms: GA4, Google Ads, Search Console, YouTube, BigQuery, Google Sheets. No authentication layer, no monthly fee. Data freshness depends on the source API.
Built by third parties and listed in the connector gallery. Tools like Coupler.io and Supermetrics offer limited free plans: fewer data sources, lower refresh frequency, row limits. Suitable for single-client setups or testing.
Full-featured connectors from platforms like Supermetrics, Windsor.ai, Funnel, and Whatagraph. Paid plans unlock higher refresh rates (hourly), more data sources, multi-account blending, and historical data backfill.
Built via Google's Connector Developer API (Apps Script). Used for proprietary data sources, internal databases, or APIs not covered by existing connectors. Requires developer resources but has no licensing cost.
Filter by category or pricing to find the right connector for your data source.
| Connector | Data Source | Category | Price | Refresh Rate | Setup | Free Tier | Historical Data |
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* Prices based on publicly available plans as of May 2026. Verify with vendor before purchasing.
Built and maintained by Google. No cost, no third-party authentication. Best starting point for any Looker Studio setup.
Required for non-Google platforms. Most are SaaS tools with monthly subscriptions. Key sources: Facebook Ads, TikTok Ads, Shopify, Semrush, LinkedIn Ads.
No native Facebook Ads connector exists in Looker Studio. Meta deprecated its own connector in 2022. You need a third-party tool. Top options: Supermetrics, Windsor.ai, Coupler.io, Funnel.io. All require a paid plan to access campaign-level data with daily refresh.
TikTok Ads does not have a native Looker Studio connector. The most common solutions are Supermetrics TikTok connector (~$99/mo for the starter plan), Windsor.ai (from $19/mo), Coupler.io (freemium with row limits), and Skyvia. Setup requires OAuth authentication to your TikTok Ads Manager account. Available metrics: impressions, clicks, spend, CPM, CPC, conversions, ROAS by campaign, ad group and creative.
LinkedIn has a limited native connector for Looker Studio covering basic campaign stats. For full funnel data — lead gen forms, conversation ads, demographic breakdowns — third-party connectors like Supermetrics or Windsor are needed.
No native Shopify connector. Third-party options include Coupler.io (Shopify to Looker Studio, freemium), Windsor.ai, and Supermetrics. Supported metrics: orders, revenue, products, customers, refunds, inventory by date range.
Semrush has a community connector in the Looker Studio gallery — partially functional, limited metrics. Ahrefs does not have an official connector. Workarounds include exporting to Google Sheets and connecting via the Sheets connector, or using Supermetrics which supports both platforms on paid plans.
Step-by-step guide for connecting any data source — native or third-party — to a Looker Studio report.
Go to lookerstudio.google.com. Click "+ Create" to start a new report, or open an existing one. You'll be prompted to add a data source immediately when creating a new report.
In the toolbar, click "Add data". A panel opens showing the connector gallery. Search by name (e.g. "Google Analytics 4", "TikTok Ads"). Native connectors appear first. Third-party connectors are labeled with the provider's name.
For native connectors: select your Google account and grant permissions. For third-party connectors: you'll be redirected to the provider's OAuth flow. This creates a token the connector uses to pull data. You may need an active subscription with the third-party provider.
Select the specific account, property, or dataset: GA4 property ID, Google Ads account, Facebook Ads account ID, etc. Set the date range type (fixed or dynamic). For BigQuery, enter the project ID and write your SQL query.
Once connected, Looker Studio shows all available dimensions and metrics from that source. Drag fields into charts and tables. Use "Blend data" to combine multiple connectors into a single chart — for example, combining Google Ads cost data with GA4 conversion data.
Common questions about Looker Studio connectors, pricing and setup.