Software · head to head
Mode vs Dundas BI
The short version
- Only Mode has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Mode free tier limited to 4GB RAM and 1 CPU for SQL notebooks, insufficient for large datasets; Dundas BI the published Embedded BI Package starts from about $4,738.70 USD per month billed annually for 8 core capacity
- They diverge on capability: Mode covers SQL Editor, Dundas BI covers White-labeling.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Mode and Dundas BI actually diverge.
Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), 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 Mode
- SQL Editor
- Python/R Notebooks
- Interactive Reports
- Version Control
- Scheduling
- Snowflake
- Redshift
- BigQuery
Only in Dundas BI
- White-labeling
- Embedded Analytics
- Data Preparation
- Custom Visualizations
- API
- SQL Server
- Oracle
- MySQL
Both cover
- PostgreSQL
- Web support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Mode
- Self-service analyticsnot Dundas BI
- Data explorationnot Dundas BI
- Ad-hoc reportingnot Dundas BI
- Collaborative analysisnot Dundas BI
- Embedded analyticsnot Dundas BI
Dundas BI
- Embedding dashboards and analytics inside another applicationnot Mode
- Self service business intelligence and ad hoc reportingnot Mode
- Building custom data visualisations against open BI APIsnot Mode
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
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
Dundas BI
- The published Embedded BI Package starts from about $4,738.70 USD per month billed annually for 8 core capacity
- That figure reflects a limited time 35 percent promotional discount rather than list price
- Licensing is by CPU core capacity rather than by user, so cost scales with server hardware
- Dundas is now part of insightsoftware following acquisition
- The page states that a pricing plan is worked out together with the vendor rather than published as a rate card
Pricing, plan by plan
Mode
Free- FreeFree
- SQL Editor
- Python/R Notebooks
- Basic Charts
- Business$65/month
- Advanced Visualizations
- Collaboration
- Integrations
Dundas BI
$500/month- Professional$500/month
- Full Platform
- Embedding
- Support
- EnterpriseFree
- Unlimited Users
- Multi-tenant
- Premium Support
Which should you pick?
Choose Mode if
- You need sql editor.
- You want to start without paying.
- You also want python/r notebooks.
Choose Dundas BI if
- You need white-labeling.
- You work on Web, Embedded, Mobile.
- You also want embedded analytics.
Questions people ask
- Is Mode or Dundas BI better?
- Neither clearly leads. Mode starts at Free and Dundas BI at $500/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Mode or Dundas BI?
- Mode has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Mode and $500/month for Dundas BI.
- Does Mode or Dundas BI run on more platforms?
- Mode runs on Web. Dundas BI runs on Web, Embedded, Mobile.
- Can I use Mode for free?
- Yes. Mode has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Dundas BI starts at $500/month.
- What is Mode best used for?
- Mode is most often used for self-service analytics, data exploration, ad-hoc reporting, collaborative analysis. Of those, self-service analytics and data exploration are not what Dundas BI is typically brought in for.
- What can Mode do that Dundas BI cannot?
- Mode covers SQL Editor, Python/R Notebooks, Interactive Reports, Version Control. Dundas BI covers White-labeling, Embedded Analytics, Data Preparation, Custom Visualizations. Both handle PostgreSQL, Web support.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
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.
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.
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.
Source