Softwr

Machine Learning · head to head

Anaconda vs Mode

Anaconda logo

Anaconda

Machine Learning

The world's most popular data science platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Mode logo

Mode

Business Intelligence

Collaborative analytics for data teams

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Anaconda dependency resolution slower than pip due to SAT solver complexity; Mode free tier limited to 4GB RAM and 1 CPU for SQL notebooks, insufficient for large datasets
  • They diverge on capability: Anaconda covers Conda package manager, Mode covers SQL Editor.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Anaconda and Mode actually diverge.

Attributes where Anaconda and Mode differ
AttributeAnacondaMode
Pricing modelUnknownsubscription
PlatformsWindows, macOS, Linux, Web/CloudWeb
CategoryMachine LearningBusiness Intelligence
Founded20122013

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Anaconda

  • Conda package manager
  • Environment management
  • 1500+ packages
  • Navigator GUI
  • Cross-platform support
  • Jupyter
  • VS Code
  • PyCharm

Only in Mode

  • SQL Editor
  • Python/R Notebooks
  • Interactive Reports
  • Version Control
  • Scheduling
  • Snowflake
  • Redshift
  • BigQuery

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Anaconda

  • Machine learningnot Mode
  • Data analysisnot Mode
  • Model trainingnot Mode
  • Predictive analyticsnot Mode

Mode

  • Self-service analyticsnot Anaconda
  • Data explorationnot Anaconda
  • Ad-hoc reportingnot Anaconda
  • Collaborative analysisnot Anaconda
  • Embedded analyticsnot Anaconda

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Anaconda

  • Dependency resolution slower than pip due to SAT solver complexity
  • Not all PyPI packages available through default Anaconda repository
  • Requires paid licenses for organizations with 200+ employees
  • Larger disk footprint than minimal Python installations

Mode

  • Free tier limited to 4GB RAM and 1 CPU for SQL notebooks, insufficient for large datasets
  • Requires SQL knowledge for most analysis tasks, creating dependency on technical resources
  • Paid plan pricing not publicly listed; requires sales consultation
  • Recently acquired by ThoughtSpot in 2026, creating product direction uncertainty
  • Limited customization options for visual aspects and embedded analytics

Pricing, plan by plan

Anaconda

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 600+ pre-installed packages
    • Anaconda Navigator
    • 5GB cloud storage
  • Starter$15/month
    • 10GB cloud storage per user
    • Professional development environment
    • Team workspace controls
  • Business$50/month
    • Automated vulnerability scanning
    • Audit trails
    • Enterprise SSO

Mode

Free
  • FreeFree
    • SQL Editor
    • Python/R Notebooks
    • Basic Charts
  • Business$65/month
    • Advanced Visualizations
    • Collaboration
    • Integrations

Which should you pick?

Choose Anaconda if

  • You need conda package manager.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, macOS, Linux, Web/Cloud.
  • You also want environment management.
Anaconda review

Choose Mode if

  • You need sql editor.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want python/r notebooks.
Mode review

Questions people ask

Is Anaconda or Mode better?
Neither clearly leads. Anaconda starts at Free and Mode at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Anaconda or Mode?
Anaconda starts at Free and Mode at Free.
Does Anaconda or Mode run on more platforms?
Anaconda runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, Web/Cloud. Mode runs on Web.
Can I use Anaconda for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Anaconda best used for?
Anaconda is most often used for machine learning, data analysis, model training, predictive analytics. Of those, machine learning and data analysis are not what Mode is typically brought in for.
What can Anaconda do that Mode cannot?
Anaconda covers Conda package manager, Environment management, 1500+ packages, Navigator GUI. Mode covers SQL Editor, Python/R Notebooks, Interactive Reports, Version Control.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Anaconda: Does Anaconda have a free version?

Yes. Anaconda Distribution is free and includes 600+ pre-installed data science packages, Navigator, and 5GB of cloud storage. Organizations with 200+ employees must use paid plans unless they qualify for academic or non-profit exemptions.

Source
Mode: What languages does Mode support for analysis?

Mode notebooks support SQL, Python (3.11 with pandas, NumPy, scikit-learn, matplotlib), and R (4.2.0 with ggplot2, dplyr, tidyr). Both Python and R allow additional library installation at runtime.

Source
Anaconda: What is the difference between Anaconda Distribution and Miniconda?

Anaconda Distribution includes 600+ pre-installed packages optimized for data science out of the box. Miniconda is lightweight with only conda, Python, and essential packages, requiring manual installation of additional libraries.

Source
Mode: Can I integrate Mode notebook results into reports?

Yes. Mode allows adding notebook cell results directly to reports, with synchronized scheduling so reports re-run to keep data current.

Source
Anaconda: Does Anaconda integrate with VS Code?

Yes. Anaconda environments can be activated in VS Code, and you can run Jupyter Notebooks directly. Both JupyterLab and conda can be managed through the VS Code Jupyter extension.

Source
Mode: Does Mode support collaborative analysis?

Yes. Mode notebooks provide moveable code blocks and markdown cells enabling exploratory analysis and team collaboration on data queries and visualizations.

Source
Anaconda: What platforms does Anaconda support?

Anaconda runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux, with cloud-based deployment options. Anaconda Notebooks provides a cloud-based JupyterLab environment requiring no local installation.

Source
Anaconda: Do all PyPI packages work with Anaconda?

Not all PyPI packages are available through Anaconda's default conda repository. When a package is unavailable in conda, you can install it from conda-forge or pip as an alternative.

Source
Share

Related pages

More on Anaconda

More on Mode

Keep looking

Other head to heads