Software · head to head
Mode vs Google Data Studio
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Mode free tier limited to 4GB RAM and 1 CPU for SQL notebooks, insufficient for large datasets; Google Data Studio google Data Studio has been renamed Looker Studio; the vendor's own landing page states it is free to use ("It's easy and free"), with no enterprise pricing tier visible on the consumer product itself.
- They diverge on capability: Mode covers SQL Editor, Google Data Studio covers Free Platform.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Mode and Google Data Studio actually diverge.
| Attribute | Mode | Google Data Studio |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | subscription | free |
| Founded | 2013 | 1998 |
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 Mode
- SQL Editor
- Python/R Notebooks
- Interactive Reports
- Version Control
- Scheduling
- Snowflake
- Redshift
- PostgreSQL
Only in Google Data Studio
- Free Platform
- Real-time Collaboration
- Custom Visualizations
- Data Blending
- Sharing
- Google Analytics
- Google Sheets
- YouTube
Both cover
- BigQuery
- Web support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Mode
- Self-service analytics
- Data exploration
- Ad-hoc reporting
- Collaborative analysis
- Embedded analytics
Google Data Studio
- Self-service analytics
- Data exploration
- Ad-hoc reporting
- Collaborative analysis
- Embedded analytics
Both are used for self-service analytics, data exploration, ad-hoc reporting, collaborative analysis, embedded analytics, on those jobs the choice comes down to price and fit rather than capability.
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
Google Data Studio
- Google Data Studio has been renamed Looker Studio; the vendor's own landing page states it is free to use ("It's easy and free"), with no enterprise pricing tier visible on the consumer product itself.
Pricing, plan by plan
Mode
Free- FreeFree
- SQL Editor
- Python/R Notebooks
- Basic Charts
- Business$65/month
- Advanced Visualizations
- Collaboration
- Integrations
Google Data Studio
Free- FreeFree
- Unlimited Reports
- Data Connectors
- Collaboration
Which should you pick?
Choose Mode if
- You need sql editor.
- You want to start without paying.
- You also want python/r notebooks.
Choose Google Data Studio if
- You need free platform.
- You want to start without paying.
- You also want real-time collaboration.
Questions people ask
- Is Mode or Google Data Studio better?
- Neither clearly leads. Mode starts at Free and Google Data Studio at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Mode or Google Data Studio?
- Mode starts at Free and Google Data Studio at Free.
- Does Mode or Google Data Studio run on more platforms?
- Both run on Web, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
- Can I use Mode for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Mode best used for?
- Mode is most often used for self-service analytics, data exploration, ad-hoc reporting, collaborative analysis.
- What can Mode do that Google Data Studio cannot?
- Mode covers SQL Editor, Python/R Notebooks, Interactive Reports, Version Control. Google Data Studio covers Free Platform, Real-time Collaboration, Custom Visualizations, Data Blending. Both handle BigQuery, 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