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Lucidchart vs Mode

Lucidchart logo

Lucidchart

Technology

Intelligent diagramming for every team

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: Lucidchart interface can overwhelm new users due to extensive features and customization options; Mode free tier limited to 4GB RAM and 1 CPU for SQL notebooks, insufficient for large datasets
  • They diverge on capability: Lucidchart covers Flowcharts & diagrams, Mode covers SQL Editor.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Lucidchart and Mode actually diverge.

Attributes where Lucidchart and Mode differ
AttributeLucidchartMode
Pricing modelUnknownsubscription
PlatformsWeb, Desktop, macOS, WindowsWeb
CategoryTechnologyBusiness Intelligence
Founded20102013

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 Lucidchart

  • Flowcharts & diagrams
  • Process mapping
  • Mind maps
  • Wireframes & mockups
  • Network diagrams
  • Data visualization
  • Real-time collaboration
  • Presentation mode

Only in Mode

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

Both cover

  • Slack

What people use each for

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

Lucidchart

  • Process documentationnot Mode
  • System architecturenot Mode
  • Workflow designnot Mode
  • Brainstormingnot Mode
  • Technical documentationnot Mode

Mode

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

Where each one falls short

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

Lucidchart

  • Interface can overwhelm new users due to extensive features and customization options
  • Drag-and-drop canvas can feel clunky compared to modern whiteboard tools like Miro

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

Lucidchart

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 3 documents
    • 60 shapes
    • Basic templates
  • Individual$7.95/month
    • Unlimited documents
    • Advanced templates
    • Cloud storage
  • Team$9/editor/month
    • Real-time collaboration
    • Team management
    • All integrations
  • Enterprise$undefined/custom
    • Advanced security
    • SSO
    • Dedicated support

Mode

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

Which should you pick?

Choose Lucidchart if

  • You need flowcharts & diagrams.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Desktop, macOS, Windows.
  • You also want process mapping.
Lucidchart 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 Lucidchart or Mode better?
Neither clearly leads. Lucidchart 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, Lucidchart or Mode?
Lucidchart starts at Free and Mode at Free.
Does Lucidchart or Mode run on more platforms?
Lucidchart runs on Web, Desktop, macOS, Windows. Mode runs on Web.
Can I use Lucidchart for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Lucidchart best used for?
Lucidchart is most often used for process documentation, system architecture, workflow design, brainstorming. Of those, process documentation and system architecture are not what Mode is typically brought in for.
What can Lucidchart do that Mode cannot?
Lucidchart covers Flowcharts & diagrams, Process mapping, Mind maps, Wireframes & mockups. Mode covers SQL Editor, Python/R Notebooks, Interactive Reports, Version Control. Both handle Slack.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Lucidchart: What pricing plans does Lucidchart offer?

Lucidchart has a free plan (3 documents, 60 shapes), Individual plan ($7.95/month), Team plan ($9/editor/month), and Enterprise with custom pricing.

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
Lucidchart: Can I use Lucidchart offline?

Lucidchart is a cloud-based platform, but offers an offline desktop option for users who need to work without internet access.

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
Lucidchart: What compliance certifications does Lucidchart have?

Lucidchart provides SOC 2 Type II, FedRAMP, HIPAA BAA, and GDPR compliance, making it suitable for regulated industries.

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
Lucidchart: Does Lucidchart have AI diagram generation?

Yes, Lucidchart uses AI to auto-generate flowcharts, UML diagrams, ER diagrams, and org charts from text prompts, Excel data, CSV files, code snippets, or database schemas.

Source
Lucidchart: What integrations does Lucidchart support?

Lucidchart integrates with Microsoft Teams, Slack, Jira, Confluence, Google Workspace, and Salesforce for seamless workflow integration.

Source
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