Software · head to head
Dune Analytics vs Mode
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Dune Analytics free tier has 10-minute query execution delay versus 1-2 minutes on paid plans; Mode free tier limited to 4GB RAM and 1 CPU for SQL notebooks, insufficient for large datasets
- They diverge on capability: Dune Analytics covers SQL Queries, Mode covers SQL Editor.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Dune Analytics and Mode actually diverge.
| Attribute | Dune Analytics | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | freemium | subscription |
| Founded | 2018 | 2013 |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), platforms (Web), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
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 Dune Analytics
- SQL Queries
- Dashboards
- Multi-chain Data
- API Access
- Spellbook
- 20+ blockchains
- Community wizards
Only in Mode
- SQL Editor
- Python/R Notebooks
- Interactive Reports
- Version Control
- Scheduling
- Snowflake
- Redshift
- BigQuery
Both cover
- Web support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Dune Analytics
- Analyticsnot Mode
- Datanot Mode
- Researchnot Mode
Mode
- Self-service analyticsnot Dune Analytics
- Data explorationnot Dune Analytics
- Ad-hoc reportingnot Dune Analytics
- Collaborative analysisnot Dune Analytics
- Embedded analyticsnot Dune Analytics
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Dune Analytics
- Free tier has 10-minute query execution delay versus 1-2 minutes on paid plans
- Decoded tables lag blockchain by 5-10 minutes on free tier
- API rate limits on free tier capped at 40 requests per minute
- Requires SQL knowledge to build custom queries; limited no-code dashboard creation
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
Dune Analytics
Free- FreeFree
- Public queries
- Community dashboards
- Limited executions
- Plus$349/month
- Private queries
- CSV export
- Priority execution
Mode
Free- FreeFree
- SQL Editor
- Python/R Notebooks
- Basic Charts
- Business$65/month
- Advanced Visualizations
- Collaboration
- Integrations
Which should you pick?
Choose Dune Analytics if
- You need sql queries.
- You want to start without paying.
- You also want dashboards.
Choose Mode if
- You need sql editor.
- You want to start without paying.
- You also want python/r notebooks.
Questions people ask
- Is Dune Analytics or Mode better?
- Neither clearly leads. Dune Analytics 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, Dune Analytics or Mode?
- Dune Analytics starts at Free and Mode at Free.
- Does Dune Analytics or Mode run on more platforms?
- Both run on Web, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
- Can I use Dune Analytics for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Dune Analytics best used for?
- Dune Analytics is most often used for analytics, data, research. Of those, analytics and data are not what Mode is typically brought in for.
- What can Dune Analytics do that Mode cannot?
- Dune Analytics covers SQL Queries, Dashboards, Multi-chain Data, API Access. Mode covers SQL Editor, Python/R Notebooks, Interactive Reports, Version Control. Both handle Web support.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Dune Analytics: Does Dune Analytics have a free tier?
Yes. Dune offers a free tier with unlimited queries, up to 10-minute execution delays, public dashboards, and 100 MB storage. Paid plans (Plus at $399/month, Premium at $999/month) unlock faster execution and larger result sets.
SourceMode: 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.
SourceDune Analytics: What blockchain networks does Dune support?
Dune supports over 130 blockchain networks including Ethereum, Polygon, Optimism, Solana, Bitcoin, and other EVM and non-EVM compatible chains with decoded transaction and event data.
SourceMode: 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.
SourceDune Analytics: Can I export my Dune dashboards and data?
Yes. The free tier supports basic export. Paid tiers unlock CSV export and Datashare feature that allows you to stream curated blockchain data directly to Snowflake, BigQuery, or Databricks.
SourceMode: 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.
SourceDune Analytics: What external tools can I connect to Dune?
Dune supports connections to Hex, Metabase, DBeaver, PowerBI, and other tools via its Trino warehouse connector, and can stream data to Snowflake, BigQuery, and Databricks. It also offers dbt integration and an API.
Source