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Software · head to head

Labster vs Mode

Labster logo

Labster

Software

Virtual science labs for immersive learning

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Mode logo

Mode

Software

Collaborative analytics for data teams

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Mode has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Labster customization is limited and labs cannot be easily adapted to specific course learning outcomes; Mode free tier limited to 4GB RAM and 1 CPU for SQL notebooks, insufficient for large datasets
  • They diverge on capability: Labster covers Virtual simulations, Mode covers SQL Editor.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Labster and Mode actually diverge.

Attributes where Labster and Mode differ
AttributeLabsterMode
Starting priceOn requestFree
Free tierNoYes
Founded20112013

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), 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 Labster

  • Virtual simulations
  • 3D environments
  • Theory pages
  • Quizzes
  • Lab reports
  • Progress tracking
  • Mobile access
  • Multiplayer

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.

Labster

  • Virtual labsnot Mode
  • Pre-lab preparationnot Mode
  • Supplemental learningnot Mode
  • Remote educationnot Mode

Mode

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

Where each one falls short

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

Labster

  • Customization is limited and labs cannot be easily adapted to specific course learning outcomes
  • Simulations can lag or freeze depending on operating system and connection speed
  • Cannot fully replace hands-on physical lab experience and data collection
  • Students report preference for tactile physical lab experience over virtual simulations

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

Labster

On request
  • Student Access$49/month
    • Course simulations
    • Mobile access
    • Progress tracking
  • Institution$undefined/month
    • All simulations
    • LMS integration
    • Analytics
  • Enterprise$undefined/month
    • Custom content
    • API access
    • Priority support

Mode

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

Which should you pick?

Choose Labster if

  • You need virtual simulations.
  • You also want 3d environments.
Labster 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 Labster or Mode better?
Neither clearly leads. Labster starts at On request and Mode at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Labster or Mode?
Mode has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Labster and Free for Mode.
Does Labster or Mode run on more platforms?
Both run on Web, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
Can I use Mode for free?
Yes. Mode has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Labster starts at On request.
What is Labster best used for?
Labster is most often used for virtual labs, pre-lab preparation, supplemental learning, remote education. Of those, virtual labs and pre-lab preparation are not what Mode is typically brought in for.
What can Labster do that Mode cannot?
Labster covers Virtual simulations, 3D environments, Theory pages, Quizzes. Mode covers SQL Editor, Python/R Notebooks, Interactive Reports, Version Control. Both handle Web support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Labster: What STEM subjects does Labster cover?

Labster provides interactive 3D simulations across biology, chemistry, physics, and other STEM subjects, designed for university, college, and high school students.

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
Labster: How many students has Labster served?

Labster has served over 6 million students and thousands of institutions globally with its virtual lab simulations.

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
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
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Related pages

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